Accra: The alleged theft of a newborn baby from Mamprobi Hospital, a case that shocked Ghanaians earlier this year, remains before the courts as prosecutors race against time to complete their disclosures. At a sitting of the Gender-Based Violence Court at the Police Headquarters in Accra, the prosecution was granted a final opportunity to file disclosure documents after months of delays linked to unsigned witness statements.
According to Ghana Web, the case, which first emerged in February, centers on allegations that a woman posing as a nurse stole a newborn baby from the hospital before disappearing. Court documents reveal that the complainant, 29-year-old trader Precious Ankomah from James Town, delivered a baby boy through a caesarean section at Mamprobi Hospital on February 16, 2026. The baby was later diagnosed with jaundice, and arrangements were made for both mother and child to be transferred to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Although Ankomah was discharged due to unpaid medical bills, she stayed at the hospital with her baby.
Investigators report that at approximately 4:00 a.m. on February 17, 2026, a woman identified as Latifa Salifu allegedly approached Ankomah, dressed in nurse scrubs, observed the baby, and left. Around 7:00 a.m., Salifu reportedly returned and took the baby under the pretext of administering medication but failed to return. When nurses arrived for duty later that morning, they discovered the baby was missing. Ankomah informed hospital staff that a woman she believed was a nurse had taken her child for treatment. A subsequent search within the hospital was unsuccessful, leading to a formal complaint to the Mamprobi Police.
The investigation took a significant turn on February 18, 2026, when a whistle-blower informed police that a woman claimed she had delivered a baby at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and had been discharged the same day. This information led to the arrest of 33-year-old trader Latifa Salifu. Prosecutors assert that Salifu admitted to the offense during investigations. She has been charged with child stealing, pleaded not guilty, and is currently on bail of GHS200,000.
Despite significant public interest, the trial has faced delays due to challenges in completing witness statements. Prosecutors informed the court that statements for the complainant and her husband had been prepared but remained unsigned. Similar issues have arisen with statements from doctors, nurses, and security personnel expected to testify. A lawyer claiming to represent the hospital requested a meeting with witnesses before they signed their statements, further contributing to the delay. Consequently, the prosecution has been unable to file its disclosures for the past two months.
The court has emphasized the necessity of full compliance from the prosecution and urged investigators to utilize available state mechanisms to ensure all witness statements are signed and filed. The recent adjournment was described as a final opportunity for the prosecution to complete the disclosure process. The case has been adjourned to July 8, 2026, when the court will assess whether the prosecution has met the requirements needed for the trial to proceed.