Editorial: GHS Security Measures In The Aftermath Of ‘Stolen Baby’ Incident, Is It Too Little Too Late?

The reported disappearance of a baby from Mamprobi Polyclinic in Accra has sent shockwaves across the country and reignited serious concerns about security within our health facilities.

According to the Ghana Health Service (GHS), a female suspect allegedly stole the baby from the facility on February 18, 2026.

In a swift response, the Director-General of the Service, Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, directed all Regional Health Directorates to immediately strengthen security and patient care systems nationwide.

The new directives include stricter staff identification protocols, the mandatory wearing of uniforms and name tags at all times, a reinforced presence at post-natal wards and the introduction of a discharge verification system to ensure newborns are not released without proper checks. These are necessary and timely interventions.

The Chronicle commends the GHS for acting promptly and for recognising the urgent need to restore public confidence in the health system.

However, while the rapid response is laudable, it gives the indication of bolting the stable when the horses have already escaped. The incident itself exposes troubling lapses that must not be glossed over. In the considered view of The Chronicle, the most pressing question remains: How was a person who was not a nurse or staff member at the facility able to enter a maternity ward and allegedly walk out with a baby without immediate detection? How could such a breach occur in a supposedly controlled hospital environment?

A maternity or post-natal ward is not an open-access public space. It houses newborns and vulnerable mothers who depend entirely on the vigilance and professionalism of health personnel. The ability of an outsider to gain access, move about freely and allegedly take a baby suggests systemic weaknesses whether in access control, visitor monitoring, staff supervision or surveillance systems.

Were CCTV cameras actively monitored? If not, why? What security protocols were in place at entry points? Was there a visitors’ logbook? Were nurses and ward assistants sufficiently alert to question unfamiliar faces in restricted areas?

These are not speculative or accusatory questions; they are necessary ones. The Chronicle believes that confronting these issues candidly is the only way to prevent future occurrences. It is not enough to act after a near-tragedy. Preventive systems must be embedded in the daily operations of our health facilities.

We must also confront an unsettling possibility – What if the cameras had not been working? What if the suspect had intended to cause harm to the baby? What if the incident had ended in irreversible tragedy? The nation would have been plunged into grief and outrage over what could have been a preventable disaster. It is precisely to avoid such scenarios that robust security measures must be standard practice, not emergency reactions.

The Chronicle therefore urges health facility across the country to go beyond directives and ensure strict implementation. Controlled access to post-natal wards, proper identification of all staff, constant supervision, regular security audits, and well-maintained surveillance systems should be non-negotiable. Security is not solely the responsibility of guards at the gate; it is a collective duty shared by nurses, administrators, and management alike.

At the same time, it is important to acknowledge the proactive stance taken by the GHS. The nationwide directive signals seriousness of purpose and a willingness to confront weaknesses head-on. This is commendable. But policies must move from paper to practice, and compliance must be monitored consistently.

What occurred at Mamprobi Polyclinic should be unequivocally condemned. The safety of newborns cannot be compromised under any circumstances. In the firm view of The Chronicle, we must not wait for tragedies to force reforms. Our hospitals must remain sanctuaries of care, protection and trust,especially for the most vulnerable among us.

The wake-up call has been sounded. It is now incumbent upon the entire health system to ensure that such an incident never happens again.

 

 

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