Several well-meaning Ghanaians, including former President John Dramani Mahama, have expressed profound concerns over the tragic alleged abandonment of a patient in a bush near Gomoa Ojobi in the Central Region leading to her death.
This heart-wrenching incident has sparked a national debate on the humanity of Ghanaians and the glaring failures of state institutions such as Social Services to act swiftly in times of urgent need.
Dr. Kwame Asiedu Sarpong, a renowned pharmacist and Democracy and Development Fellow at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development, commenting on the unfortunate development, decried the lack of empathy of citizens and failure of state institutions to rescue the woman.
In expressing his disappointment, Dr. Sarpong highlighted the moral and societal implications of such an incident, calling for a collective introspection among Ghanaians.
He asserted that the circumstances surrounding the abandonment and subsequent death of the female patient are deeply troubling.
“Sometimes things that happen make me question our collective humanity. Members of a community find a lady on a stretcher with both legs in cast by a roadside. For three days this lady is left at the mercy of the elements of nature till she passes on”.
Dr Kwame Asiedu Sarpong, renowned Pharmacist, and Democracy and Development Fellow at Ghana Centre for Democratic Development
The renowned health professional further pointed out the alarming indifference shown by the local community and questioned why no one acted as the biblical Good Samaritan to offer help or at least notify the relevant authorities.
He also criticized the lack of response from state institutions such as Social Services, the Municipal Authority, and the Police, asserting that the lack of responsiveness on their part is equally troubling.
Dr Sarpong questioned whether local authorities only found out about the woman’s presence after she had died, highlighting a critical failure in local intelligence and responsiveness.
A Call for Introspection and Reform
The Ghana Centre for Democratic Development Fellow in a fervent call to action and change in attitude asserted that the unfortunate incident sheds light on the urgent need for all Ghanaians to show greater concern for the plight of others.
He emphasized that the unfortunate incident, which led to the death of an innocent woman must serve as a stark reminder that humanity is reflected in how people treat the most vulnerable in society.
Dr Sarpong also stated that the call for introspection and soul-searching is not just about preventing future occurrences but also about fostering a society that values empathy, solidarity, and swift action in times of need.
‘When supposed sane minds make a decision to dump a supposedly insane mind in the bush and supposed sane citizens look on unconcerned till death occurs only to return the corpse of the dead to the same hospital’s morgue, you can only conclude this is collective insanity. In short, many may be mad but few are roaming naked. We need our collective brains checked”.
Dr Kwame Asiedu Sarpong, renowned Pharmacist, and Democracy and Development Fellow at Ghana Centre for Democratic Development
In addition, Dr Kwame Asiedu Sarpong posited that the tragic event highlights the critical need for state institutions, including Social Services, the Police, and local authorities, to improve their mechanisms for gathering and acting on intelligence.
The failure to promptly respond to the needs of the abandoned patient, he noted signifies a broader issue within the governance architecture that must be addressed.
As earlier indicated by former President John Dramani Mahama and other concerned citizens, the failure of state institutions to act swiftly in this case is indicative of a larger problem that needs urgent attention.
While the Ghana Health Services’ investigation into the incident is a step in the right direction, it should be accompanied by concrete measures to enhance the responsiveness and accountability of state institutions.
The alleged abandonment of a patient in Gomoa Ojobi is a tragic reflection of societal and institutional failings. It calls for a profound reassessment of the country’s values and the functioning of its governance systems.
As Dr. Sarpong aptly put it, this is a wake-up call for all Ghanaians to recommit to the principles of compassion, community, and effective governance.
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