The four-day-old baby boy successfully recovered from an abduction at the Mamprobi Polyclinic is currently under intensive medical observation at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Gender Minister Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey revealed on Friday, February 20, 2026, that the newborn was "running a temperature" and developed feverish symptoms upon rescue.
Medical experts have been deployed to stabilize the infant, whose condition is complicated by a pre-existing medical issue identified before the theft and the fact that his umbilical cord has not yet completely detached.
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| Latifa Salifu: Baby Thief |
Suspect Latifa Salifu Identified and Set for Court
The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Latifa Salifu, was arrested by the Dansoman Divisional Police Command on Wednesday at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Investigations revealed that Salifu allegedly posed as a nurse to infiltrate the postnatal ward on Tuesday, February 17, while the baby's mother, Precious Ankomah, was asleep following a C-section delivery.
The Capture: Salifu’s own sister acted as the whistleblower, reporting her to the police after Salifu called to claim she had given birth.Criminal Charges: Salifu is expected to be arraigned before the Accra Circuit Court on Friday, February 20, 2026, on charges of child stealing.
Motive of Desperation: Minister Lartey noted that preliminary psychological assessments suggest Salifu may have acted out of "desperation for a child," having allegedly faked a pregnancy and birth to her family.
Family and Community Demand Accountability
Despite the baby's return, the family is demanding a full prosecution and is calling for "blood" over the trauma and the health complications the infant now faces. The mother, who is also battling feverish symptoms exacerbated by severe stress and a lack of nutrition during the search, remains under medical care.
The Mamprobi community has expressed outrage over the security breach, with some residents threatening to abandon the polyclinic unless permanent security reforms are enacted. In response, the Ministry of Health has ordered 24-hour police protection at the facility and directed all hospitals nationwide to ensure CCTV surveillance is fully functional.
Presidential Support and Social Safeguards
President John Dramani Mahama has personally stepped in to cover all medical expenses for both the mother and the recovered baby. He has also directed that the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection provide psychosocial support to the family—and interestingly, even to the suspect—to address the underlying trauma of the incident.
The Gender Minister has pledged to use this case to push for the permanent deployment of social workers in maternity wards to monitor patient safety and verify the credentials of medical staff.
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