The Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection has pledged stronger safeguards in health facilities following the recovery of a baby who was allegedly stolen from the Mamprobi Polyclinic in Accra.

Agnes Naa Momo Lartey said social workers would be deployed to help prevent similar incidents in hospitals, stressing that the matter would not end with the child’s safe return but would lead to follow-up measures to protect mothers and infants.

Her comments came after a swift police operation led to the recovery of the infant and the arrest of a female suspect, who is currently in custody.

Addressing the media after visiting the clinic, the minister expressed relief and gratitude to those who contributed to the successful rescue, including a whistleblower whose intervention she acknowledged.

She said, "This morning, the good news is that we have found the baby by the grace of God. The good news, in summary, is that we found the baby. We want to say a big thank you to the whistleblower. We also want to say a big thank you to the police for their work to get the baby reconciled to the mother, or united with the mother, today. 

The alleged abduction triggered an immediate response from the Ghana Police Service after hospital authorities and the child’s family filed a report. A search operation was launched, culminating in the baby’s recovery within a short period.

The Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South, Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, played a coordinating role between the police, community members, and the family. He accompanied officials to the Mamprobi Polyclinic to ensure the infant was safely reunited with the mother.

Medical personnel at the facility conducted an immediate examination upon the baby’s return. Doctors have confirmed that the infant is stable, receiving treatment, and under close observation as a precaution.

While authorities have yet to disclose the identity of the suspect, inquiries continue as investigators seek to piece together the circumstances of the incident.

The minister indicated that beyond the criminal investigation, attention would also be given to strengthening institutional systems to reduce the risk of similar cases in the future, underscoring what she described as the need to “minimize or completely get rid of such baby cases or incidents in the hospitals."

Investigations are ongoing to establish how the suspect allegedly gained access to the baby at the facility in Mamprobi in the Ablekuma South constituency on Tuesday, February 18.