The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Medical and Dental Council (MDC) through a joint investigation have busted a baby harvesting / trafficking syndicate in Accra.
This was made known at a joint press conference held on Wednesday, 20th January, 2021 at the Economic and Organised Crime Office.
Speaking at the Press Conference, the Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crime Office, COP Frank Adu-Poku (Rtd.) mentioned that two medical doctors, two social workers, four nurses, two mothers and one traditional birth attendant have been arrested for harvesting babies and selling them for financial gain.
According to COP Adu-Poku (Rtd.) two baby boys were sold for GHC30,000 and GHC28,000 respectively. He added that one Dr. Hope Mensah Quashie who works with the 37 military Hospital and owns a private health facility called Susan Clinic located at Lartebiokorshie, a suburb of Accra sold one of the baby boys for GHc30,000. He further explained that at the Tema General Hospital, another baby boy was purchased for an amount of GHc28,000.
COP Adu-Poku (Rtd.) stated that Dr. Hope Mensah Quashie had been arrested including ten (10) others who played a role in the purchase of the babies. The persons arrested were Sylvia Awuseh, John Adorey Effie and Angela Ametepe, who are nurses at the Susan Clinic. Dede Gifty Anikpi, a traditional birth attendant at Bethlehem Maternity Home at Santoe, a suburb of Kpone-Katamanso has also been arrested.
In addition, Mr. Loenard Agbley who facilitated the sale of the second baby has been arrested. One Nancy Obaa Yaa, who handed over the baby at the Tema General Hospital has been arrested. A Social Welfare Officer, Madam Doris Badu who master-minded the sale and purchase of the baby has also been arrested. Also, one Dr. Noah Kofi Lartey who works at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Ridge and operates a private hospital called Dangbe Community Hospital; facilitated the sale of the second baby has been arrested. The mothers of the babies have also been arrested.
The AG. Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council, Dr. Divine N. Banyubala said that since the investigation started in February, 2020,it has been costly and daunting, but had yielded the results that should repose confidence in the institution and the profession. He entreated the public not to be frightened by this investigation because the Council stands to ensure professional and institutional accountability.
He intimated that when institutions cooperate and collaborate, leveraging on common expertise and resources would advance the agenda on this country.
EOCO and the Council therefore assure the public that the two agencies would continue to work together to protect public health and safety by preventing and detecting organised crime.
The two baby boys are in protective-custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office.
Source: Public Affairs Desk / Anti-Human Trafficking Unit