Following the dramatic recovery of a baby reportedly taken from Mamprobi Polyclinic in Accra, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection has vowed to strengthen safeguards in health facilities across the country.
Agnes Naa Momo Lartey said social workers would be stationed in hospitals to prevent similar incidents, emphasizing that the focus extends beyond the safe return of the child to implementing long-term protective measures for mothers and infants.
The comments came after police quickly apprehended a female suspect in connection with the alleged abduction and safely reunited the infant with its mother. Authorities are still investigating how the woman gained access to the baby at the facility in Mamprobi, within the Ablekuma South constituency, on Tuesday, February 18.
Speaking to journalists after visiting the clinic, the Minister expressed both relief and gratitude to all involved in the rescue, including a key whistleblower whose alert played a crucial role.
She said: “This morning, the good news is that we have found the baby by the grace of God, the good news, in summary, is that we found the baby. We want to say a big thank you to the whistle blower. We also want to say a big thank you to the police that they’ve been able to work to get the baby reconciled to the mother, or united with the mother today.”
The abduction prompted an immediate response from the Ghana Police Service after hospital staff and the child’s family reported the incident. Their rapid search operation led to the infant’s recovery in a short time.
Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South, coordinated efforts between the police, the family, and community members. He joined officials at Mamprobi Polyclinic to ensure the baby was safely returned to its mother.
Upon the child’s return, medical personnel examined the infant, confirming that the baby is stable and under close observation while receiving treatment as a precaution.
Authorities have not released the identity of the suspect, and investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the alleged abduction.
The Minister stressed that, beyond the criminal investigation, institutional reforms are planned to reduce the risk of such cases in the future. She highlighted the urgency of measures to “minimize or completely get rid of such baby cases or incidents in the hospitals.”
