The Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, visited the Mamprobi Polyclinic on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, to check on a recovered newborn and his mother. The visit followed a swift police operation that led to the safe recovery of the infant, who was allegedly abducted from the facility in the Ablekuma South constituency on Tuesday. During her visit, the Minister expressed profound relief and reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring the safety of vulnerable citizens, particularly infants and mothers in health facilities.
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| Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey |
Government Responds to Security Breach at Mamprobi Polyclinic
Addressing the media after her visit, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey emphasized that the incident would lead to significant institutional reforms rather than just a celebratory return. She announced that the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection would be taking immediate steps to prevent future occurrences of such security breaches.
Social Worker Deployment: The Minister pledged to deploy social workers to hospitals nationwide to act as an additional layer of protection and monitoring for mothers and newborns.
Follow-up Measures: She stressed that follow-up safeguards would be implemented to protect the dignity and safety of patients within public health institutions.
Whistleblower Commendation: The Minister specifically acknowledged and thanked a whistleblower whose timely intervention was instrumental in the successful rescue of the child.
Strategic Action and Psychosocial Support for Victims
The recovery of the baby marks a success for the Ghana Police Service, which currently has a female suspect in custody as investigations into how she gained unauthorized access to the facility continue. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey noted that the Ministry’s involvement extends beyond the immediate rescue to providing comprehensive welfare support.
The Ministry is expected to provide psychosocial support for the mother and her family to assist in their recovery from the traumatic event. This aligns with the Minister's ongoing efforts to strengthen child protection services and ensure that victims of such unfortunate incidents receive the necessary care to move forward.
Context: National Efforts to Protect the Vulnerable
Under the leadership of Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Ministry has intensified its focus on safeguarding children and addressing emerging threats to social security. Since assuming office in February 2025, the Minister has consistently advocated for stronger coordination between health, security, and social protection agencies to protect the excluded and vulnerable.
This latest incident at Mamprobi follows other high-profile child protection cases where the Minister has personally intervened, including visits to victims of abuse and stampedes. The Parliament of Ghana has also been engaged in discussions regarding resource allocation to ensure that child welfare institutions and social protection secretariats are adequately equipped to handle such emergencies.
What Happens Next for Mamprobi Polyclinic Security
The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection will collaborate with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Ministry of the Interior to review and upgrade visitor management systems at all state-owned polyclinics. The deployment of social workers is expected to begin in high-risk zones within the first quarter of 2026.
The suspect is scheduled for further interrogation as police determine if there was any internal negligence or collusion at the Mamprobi Polyclinic. The Minister has assured the public that the law will take its full course to ensure accountability and prevent a recurrence of this "heartbreaking" development.
Summary of Minister Lartey’s Visit and Baby Recovery
The visit by Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey to the Mamprobi Polyclinic after the successful baby recovery underscores the government’s proactive stance on child safety. Through the deployment of social workers and a commitment to stronger facility safeguards, the Ministry aims to ensure that every newborn is protected within the nation's healthcare system.
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| Baby Thief |
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