Two bodies, identified as Abu Seidu and Achempong Amafom Makline, both former teachers, are currently stuck at St. Anne's Catholic Hospital mortuary in Ghana. The hospital's refrigeration engines, which power the mortuary, broke down two days ago, leaving the bodies in limbo. According to hospital sources, the engines have not had a major overhaul in 13 years and this is the third breakdown recorded this year.
Abu Seidu's body was deposited by police after his death triggered the lynching of Constable Kofi Redeemer Owusu in Gindabour. His family has yet to come forward to claim his body, making preservation difficult amid the equipment failure. Achempong Amafom Makline's body was deposited by officials of the Ghana Education Service (GES) in Daboya after he died shortly after arriving at the Daboya Health Centre for treatment.
Hospital sources revealed that the two engines powering the morgue's refrigerators were procured in 2013 and have not had a major overhaul in 13 years. The current breakdown has raised concerns about maintenance at the facility. Hospital management has not yet publicly commented on when the engines will be fixed.
A police source at the Savannah Regional Police Command confirmed that the family of the late Abu Seidu has yet to come forward to claim his body. The source also mentioned that the police are working to ensure that the bodies are preserved until the engines are fixed.
When a news team visited the hospital on Sunday, September 28, 2026, staff directed inquiries about the condition of the mortuary to the hospital accountant, who was not available at the time. The hospital staff seemed reluctant to comment on the matter, adding to concerns about the hospital's maintenance and management.
The breakdown of the refrigeration engines has sparked concerns about the hospital's ability to handle deceased bodies. The incident has also highlighted the need for improved maintenance and management at the facility. The hospital's administration is yet to comment on the situation and provide a timeline for fixing the engines.
The two bodies are expected to remain at the mortuary until the engines are fixed and the refrigerators are operational again. The incident has caused distress to the families of the deceased, who are waiting to bury their loved ones. The hospital's management is under pressure to resolve the situation quickly and ensure that the bodies are handled with dignity and respect.
Key points
- The breakdown of the refrigeration engines at St. Anne's Catholic Hospital mortuary has left two bodies stuck in limbo.
- The hospital's management has not yet publicly commented on when the engines will be fixed.
- The incident has raised concerns about maintenance and management at the facility.
