Accra: Emmanuel Darkwah, lawyer for the family of the late Charles Amissah, has disclosed that the GHS20 million lawsuit against hospitals, staff, and the Attorney General is aimed at deterring hospitals from overlooking emergency cases. Speaking in an interview with ChannelOne TV, Darkwah, counsel for Matilda Amissah, who is the sister of the deceased, specifically mentioned the negligence at the Korle-Bu morgue, which led to the decomposition of Amissah's body.
According to Ghana Web, Darkwah recounted that Amissah died at Korle-Bu hospital and alleged that his body was improperly handled, leading to decomposition. The family found Amissah's body in the corridors of the mortuary, instead of a cold room, and it was reportedly infested with maggots.
Darkwah emphasized that the lawsuit's primary goal is to push for punitive measures against the poor handling of Amissah's case. He stated that while the financial compensation is significant, the need for reform and deterrence in medical practice is essential to prevent future occurrences.
The incident reportedly began with a hit-and-run accident in February 2026, which left the 29-year-old Amissah with fatal injuries due to alleged denial of stabilisation and beds at multiple hospitals, including the Ghana Police Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital, and Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. A government investigation later suggested that Amissah's death could have been prevented.
Darkwah concluded by highlighting the distressing condition of Amissah's body, stating that it was so decomposed that the casket was kept closed during his funeral. The family hopes that the lawsuit will serve as a wake-up call to healthcare professionals about the consequences of negligence.