An independent investigation into the death of Charles Amissah has concluded that he did not die instantly from injuries sustained in a road accident but from prolonged and preventable blood loss caused by critical failures in Emergency Care across multiple health facilities.
The report, presented to Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, revealed that Amissah was alive at every stage of his transfer from the accident scene through the Police Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital, and eventually Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
However, investigators found that none of the facilities provided timely life-saving intervention, including bleeding control, intravenous fluids, or blood transfusion.
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Chairman of the investigative committee, Agyeman Badu Akosa, described the findings as evidence of a “slow death from medical neglect” rather than instant trauma from the accident itself.
“The pathology confirms a slow death from medical neglect and not instant trauma. If medical intervention had occurred at any of these facilities, Charles Amissah could have survived,” Prof Akosa stated while presenting the report.
According to the committee, Amissah died from exsanguination — excessive blood loss caused by severe injuries to major arteries and veins in his upper right arm following the road accident.
Investigators noted that the injury, though serious, was survivable with basic Emergency Care and prompt medical attention.
The committee, formed on February 23, 2026, examined the sequence of events, treatment decisions, and systemic failures that contributed to the delays in care.
Its findings recommended disciplinary action against several health professionals from the Police Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
Those named include Dr Anne-Marie Kudowo, Dr Nina Naomin Eyram, Dr Aida Druante, Dr Genevieve Adjah, Ms Akosua B. Turkson, Ms Joy Daisy Nelson, and Ms Salamatu Alhassan.
Beyond individual accountability, the report paints a troubling picture of structural weaknesses within Ghana’s emergency healthcare system.
Among its major recommendations is the establishment of a national emergency care fund to guarantee immediate treatment for critically injured patients regardless of their ability to pay during the first 24 hours after admission.
The committee also called for a mandatory policy requiring all hospitals to stabilize emergency patients before referring them elsewhere.
In addition, the report urged the government to open the Ghana Armed Forces Critical Care and Emergency Hospital for full public use to help reduce pressure on existing facilities.
Another major recommendation focused on nationwide emergency response training for doctors, nurses, students, and ordinary citizens in basic life support skills to improve survival rates during critical moments.
The committee further warned against allowing the report to be ignored, insisting on a strong governance and monitoring system to ensure the implementation of all proposed reforms.
Reacting to the findings, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh announced immediate disciplinary processes against the health professionals named in the report.
He directed the Ministry’s Chief Director to formally notify the affected hospitals and regulatory bodies to begin sanctions without delay.
The Minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening emergency healthcare delivery through reforms such as a national electronic bed management system aimed at reducing delays in patient allocation.
He additionally announced that the Ghana Armed Forces Critical Care and Emergency Hospital would be opened to the public as part of efforts to improve national emergency response capacity.
“With these few words, I want to assure the committee that your work will not be in vain. We will endeavour to implement all the recommendations in the best interest of Mother Ghana,” the Minister stated.