BY Nadia Ntiamoah
The Ministry of Health has announced the formation of a high-level, three-member investigation committee to look into the circumstances surrounding the death of 29-year-old engineer, Charles Amissah, who reportedly died after being denied timely emergency medical care on 6th February 2026.
The move comes amid growing public concern about gaps in emergency healthcare delivery and access in Ghana.
According to the press release, the committee has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive and independent inquiry into the events leading up to Amissah’s death.
The inquiry will focus on examining the sequence of events, the decision-making processes at the health facilities he visited, and any contributing factors that may have led to delays or challenges in providing emergency care.
Beyond the immediate circumstances of the case, the committee will also assess the adequacy of existing emergency care policies, protocols, and oversight mechanisms, including how well health facilities adhere to regulatory standards designed to ensure prompt and effective care in life-threatening situations.
This broader evaluation aims to identify systemic weaknesses and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The committee is chaired by Prof. Agyeman Badu Akosa, a respected pathologist, with Dr. Henry Kwasi Bulley, Fellow of Emergency Medicine at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, and Dr. Koku Awoonor-Williams, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Health.
The combination of expertise in pathology, emergency medicine, and health policy is intended to ensure a balanced, expert-led review of both clinical and administrative factors in the case.
The Ministry has mandated that the committee submit its final report and recommendations to the Minister of Health on or before 5th March 2026.
The findings are expected to inform not only accountability measures in the specific case but also potential reforms to emergency care delivery nationwide, including hospital protocols, triage procedures, and regulatory oversight.
This investigation follows public outrage and media attention after reports emerged that Amissah, who had been involved in a road traffic accident at Nkrumah Circle, was allegedly denied admission at multiple major hospitals due to unavailability of beds, despite initial stabilisation by the National Ambulance Service.
