The Savannah Regional Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has constituted a seven-member committee to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a newborn baby from the East Gonja Municipal Hospital in Salaga.
The committee, set up by the Savannah Regional Director of Health Services, Dr John Ekow Otoo, is tasked with establishing the full circumstances surrounding the baby’s disappearance, recommending appropriate disciplinary actions where necessary, and proposing measures to prevent future occurrences.
The GHS, in a statement issued on June 24, disclosed that staff members who were responsible for the care of the newborn prior to her disappearance have been interdicted and are facing criminal prosecution.
“The staff responsible for the baby’s care before her disappearance have been arraigned before the Tamale High Court and are currently facing criminal proceedings,” the statement said.
It added that the interdictions were in line with the GHS Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures and will remain in force until the final determination of the court case.
The baby reportedly went 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 remanded into police custody by the Tamale Circuit Court.
They have been charged with conspiracy to steal and abduction. The duo pleaded not guilty when they appeared before Her Honour Afua Srakuba.
The Savannah Regional Health Directorate said it is working closely with the Ghana Police Service to locate the missing baby and has appealed to the general public to provide any relevant information that could assist investigations.
As part of enhanced measures, all hospitals, child welfare clinics, and Community Health Officers across the country have been directed to be vigilant and report any suspicious mother-and-baby pairs to the nearest police station.
The GHS has also arranged psychological support for the baby’s parents and expressed deep sympathy to the family.
The Directorate assured the public of its commitment to ensuring full accountability and maintaining the highest standards of patient safety in all health facilities.
Police investigations into the case remain ongoing.
