The Savannah Regional Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has formed a seven-member committee to investigate the disappearance of a newborn from the East Gonja Municipal Hospital in Salaga, as efforts are heightened to uncover the details surrounding the incident.
The committee, established by Dr. John Ekow Otoo, the Savannah Regional Director of Health Services, has been assigned the responsibility of ascertaining the facts related to the baby’s disappearance, recommending suitable disciplinary measures where necessary, and suggesting strategies to avert similar incidents in the future.
This action follows the Directorate’s announcement that the staff members accountable for the care of the newborn prior to the disappearance have been suspended and are currently undergoing criminal prosecution.
In a statement released on June 24, the GHS indicated that the implicated staff have been brought before the Tamale High Court in relation to the case.
“The staff responsible for the baby’s care before her disappearance have been brought before the Tamale High Court and are presently facing criminal proceedings,” the statement noted.
It further mentioned that the suspensions were executed in accordance with the GHS Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures and will remain in effect until the conclusion of the court proceedings.
In the meantime, the Directorate has stated that it is continuing to work closely with the Ghana Police Service in efforts to find the missing baby and has urged the public to provide any information that could assist in the ongoing investigations.
To support the search, hospitals, child welfare clinics, and Community Health Officers across the nation have been instructed to stay alert and report any suspicious mother-and-baby pairs to the nearest police station.
The GHS also revealed that psychological support has been arranged for the parents of the baby and reassured the public of its dedication to ensuring accountability and upholding the highest standards of patient safety and healthcare delivery.
The Directorate conveyed its condolences to the family and committed to providing updates as the investigations unfold.
The baby was reportedly missing from the East Gonja Municipal Hospital on June 10, 2026.
On June 12, two midwives from the facility, Frank Atanga, 52, and Mariam Mohammed, 32, were placed in police custody by the Tamale Circuit Court due to their alleged involvement in the case.
They faced charges of conspiracy to steal and abduction, and they entered a plea of not guilty when they appeared before Her Honour Afua Srakuba.
Police investigations into the suspected abduction are still ongoing.
