The Dansoman Police Command of the Ghana Police Service has arrested a 33-year-old woman in connection with the theft of a four-day-old baby boy from the postnatal ward of Mamprobi Hospital in Accra.

Addressing journalists at a press briefing on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Superintendent Juliana Obeng, Head of Public Affairs for the Accra Region, said the arrest was the result of swift investigations and public cooperation following the report of the incident a day earlier.

According to the police, at about 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, a complaint was lodged by Abigail Dzikunu, accompanied by Henrita Abe Blessed, indicating that an unidentified woman disguised as a nurse had taken a newborn baby from the hospital’s postnatal ward.

The baby’s mother, Precious Ankomah, who delivered via Caesarean section on February 14, 2026, told investigators that the suspect, dressed in a peach-coloured nurse’s uniform, approached her and claimed she was taking the baby to administer medication.

The woman allegedly left with the child and failed to return.

Police immediately visited the hospital, reviewed preliminary information, took statements from staff and witnesses, and launched a manhunt.

Their efforts led to the arrest of Latifa Salifu, a cloth seller based in Accra, at about 3:40 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, at the premises of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

Superintendent Obeng said the suspect was found in possession of a baby believed to be the one stolen from Mamprobi Hospital.

Initial claims by the suspect that she had recently given birth at Korle Bu and was discharged due to neglect were found to be false, as hospital records showed no evidence of such a delivery.

The baby has since been safely recovered and arrangements are being made for medical assessment and continued care at a health facility, while efforts are underway to formally reunite the child with the mother.

Latifa Salifu remains in police custody and is assisting with ongoing investigations. Police say she will be put before court as soon as investigations are concluded.

The Ghana Police Service has commended members of the public for their timely information and has urged health facilities to tighten security and identification protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.