Renowned Ghanaian broadcast journalist Bernard Avle has strongly criticized three major hospitals in Accra following the tragic death of 29-year-old Charles Amissah, who was allegedly denied emergency medical care after a hit-and-run incident.
Speaking on his morning show, the visibly shaken journalist did not hide his anger as he condemned what many describe as Ghana’s recurring “no-bed syndrome.” According to him, the continued refusal of emergency treatment on the grounds of unavailable beds is unacceptable and must end.
“Shame on Ridge Hospital, shame on Police Hospital and shame on Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, that someone dies like this and it’s business as usual! This type of things must change. Wear red and declare a day of repentance. You are evil and these things must stop,” he said.
Avle stressed that health officials and administrators must bow their heads in shame and reflect deeply on the value placed on human life. He argued that such incidents reflect a broader systemic failure that continues to cost lives.
“We have to repent from this wickedness. Shame on you Ghanaians, shame. Imagine what his mother is going through if she’s alive. To lose your son in this way. A system that does not value people’s life. A system full of excuses and always asking for entitlement. We want this we want that. At least do something so we fight for you. With what you have done, how will I go and help nurses picketing, or doctors asking for the waiver of their car import? Why should I go and report on such a thing if somebody can die like this on the basis that there is no bed? And the rule is clear that someone has died and that he’s not the first to die because people die all the time. Shame on you,” he emphasized.
The broadcaster further questioned the moral foundation of the healthcare system, stating that empathy is a core part of medical training and must not be overlooked.
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“If you are a medical professional and someone is brought to your hospital, and you don’t care that the person dies, you are an evil person. Your training is incomplete because empathy is part of your training.”
Avle lamented what he described as a growing lack of empathy in society, arguing that Ghana’s systems often frustrate the poor and vulnerable. He also pointed out what he sees as hypocrisy within a deeply religious society that fails to protect human life in critical moments.
According to him, some countries that are less religious have built systems that prevent avoidable deaths, while Ghana continues to battle systemic inefficiencies that leave families devastated.
His comments follow reports that Charles Amissah, who worked at Promasidor Ghana Limited, was involved in a hit-and-run accident at the Nkrumah Circle Overpass in Accra on February 6. Despite being transported by Emergency Medical Technicians to multiple hospitals, he was allegedly turned away and later died.
The case has since sparked widespread public outrage and renewed debate over Ghana’s ongoing “no-bed syndrome” crisis.
