The Ghana Police Service has arrested a 33-year-old woman for allegedly stealing a four-day-old baby boy from the postnatal ward of Mamprobi Hospital in Accra.
The suspect, Latifa Salifu, a cloth seller, was picked up around 3:40 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. She was found with a baby believed to be the missing child, police said during a press briefing at the Dansoman Divisional Headquarters.
According to the Accra Regional Police Command, the case was reported on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at about 10:00 a.m. by Abigail Dzikunu and Henrietta Abbey Blessed. They told officers that an unidentified woman, posing as a nurse, had taken the baby from the postnatal ward at Mamprobi Hospital.
The child’s mother, Precious Ankomah, told police she delivered the boy on Friday, February 14, 2026. She said a woman dressed in a peach-coloured nurse’s uniform took the baby under the pretext of giving medication but never returned.
Police said officers immediately visited the hospital, took statements and launched a search with the help of the public.
After her arrest, Ms Salifu claimed she had delivered at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and had been discharged because of a shortage of beds. However, checks at the facility revealed no records to support her claim.
The baby was later identified by the mother through a birthmark on his leg and was reunited with her. Police said the child has since been returned to hospital care for medical assessment and safekeeping.
Ms Salifu remains in custody as investigations continue and is expected to be processed for court. Police added that CCTV and other videos circulating on social media are being reviewed, and further updates will be provided.
