Hospital Staff Cited in Death Probe, Sanctions Recommended

Several hospital staff and emergency responders face potential sanctions. A committee investigating the death of Charles Amissah has named them for not providing timely emergency care. The Akosa Committee found serious failures in how patient Amissah was treated.

Charles Amissah, a 29-year-old engineer, died after a hit-and-run incident on February 6, 2026. He was near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle Overpass in Accra when he was struck. Personnel from the National Ambulance Service first attended to him. However, significant difficulties arose in getting him advanced medical help afterwards. The committee discovered problems with emergency response procedures. They also questioned the skills of some ambulance staff in the case.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about Ghana's healthcare infrastructure. In recent years, there have been calls for better funding for public hospitals. Delays in emergency care can worsen patient outcomes. Figures from the Ghana Health Service often show strain on resources. This case brings such systemic issues to the forefront. The report mentions lapses at the Police Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital, and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, who chaired the committee, stated that emergency medical technicians lacked essential life support training. He described them as "just couriers, really." He added they could not sustain life without these skills in the ambulance. The committee also noted that several medical professionals failed to use good judgment. They did not attend to the patient during critical moments across three major hospitals. Specific staff mentioned include Dr. Anne Marie Kuduwa, Dr. Nina Naomi Adotevi, Dr. Ida Drunt, and Dr. Genevieve Ajah. Nursing staff like Ms. B. Texson, Ms. Joy Daisy Nelson, and Ms. Salamatu Alhassan Adu were also named.

The committee concluded these failures led directly to an avoidable death. The report stated that medical staff did not attend to Charles Amissah when he was in a life-threatening condition. This negligence resulted in his premature death. The committee recommended that the involved professionals be reported to their governing bodies. This includes hospital management, the Medical and Dental Council, and the Nurses and Midwives Council. They called for disciplinary action against the staff members. The committee also urged the government to create an electronic system for managing emergency hospital beds. This system would improve coordination and speed up care delivery. The family of Charles Amissah has also been active in pushing for reforms.