Ghana National News Round-Up: Healthcare Excellence, Community Philanthropy, and a Tragic Burial Oversight

In a series of developments across Ghana, religious leaders and health professionals are calling for stricter medical protocols following a harrowing report of a Ghanaian footballer who was mistakenly buried alive. Sheikh Illyas Abdul Rahman, speaking on Okay FM, recounted the tragic incident involving a player who had recently returned from Turkey. The athlete, who suffered from a long-term illness that caused coma-like episodes, was presumed dead during a collapse and interred immediately according to certain traditional practices. Sheikh Rahman emphasized that while Islam encourages prompt burial, it must never precede medical confirmation of death. He further cited a separate case of an 11-year-old boy who revived while being transported for burial, urging the public to prioritize thorough medical checks to prevent such life-altering errors.

While some sectors face calls for better oversight, others are being celebrated for excellence in service delivery. The Ghana Health Service recently announced that the Atebubu-Amantin Municipal Health Directorate has been named the Best Performing District, with the Atebubu Municipal Hospital earning the title of Best Performing Hospital in the 2025 Bono East Regional Holistic Assessment. This recognition of professionalism was mirrored in Accra, where staff of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) organized a surprise celebration for CEO Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe on April 9, 2026. Leadership at the NHIA praised Dr. Bampoe for his transformational impact on internal controls and staff welfare, highlighting a period of strengthening for Ghana's healthcare infrastructure.

Community-level philanthropy and personal human-interest stories also took center stage this week. Bridget Bonnie and her supporters marked her 35th birthday by donating essential hospital equipment, including beds and furniture, to the Kasseh Model Health Centre in Ada to enhance patient comfort. Conversely, a distressing personal dispute emerged in the Ashanti Region, where Stephen Manu of Sepase appeared on Lawson TV to request a DNA test for a child he has fathered for ten years. The request follows a domestic dispute in which the child’s mother, Lydia Adjei, allegedly questioned his paternity. The television host has committed to facilitating the medical test to resolve the escalating family crisis.

Finally, the nation pauses to acknowledge the passing of Andrew Anmortey Tawiah, a 71-year-old member of the Kpone royal clan, who died at the University of Ghana Medical Centre on February 11, 2026. These diverse stories—ranging from the miraculous survival of those mistakenly declared dead to the celebration of high-performing health institutions—underscore a broader national narrative. They highlight the critical intersections of professional medical standards, the necessity of community support systems, and the ongoing quest for institutional and personal integrity within the Ghanaian society.