A shocking incident unfolded in Ghana’s Eastern Region when the Bretuo family of Akyem Apaaso near Oda discovered the body they received for burial at the Oda Government Hospital morgue was not their deceased relative. The mix-up, which occurred around May 2026, led to a frantic search for the missing 62-year-old Margaret Yaa Kyeraa and a subsequent recovery of her body at a different hospital’s morgue.
Family’s Disbelief and Return of the Wrong Body
Members of the Bretuo family were preparing for the burial of Margaret Yaa Kyeraa, who had been deposited at the Oda Government Hospital morgue a month prior. Preparations were underway for a viewing ceremony before the burial, which was initially scheduled for May 16, 2026.
However, upon the arrival of the body from the mortuary, some family members noticed significant discrepancies. According to an anonymous family member who spoke to The Mirror, Yaa Kyeraa had a very short haircut. The body presented for burial, however, had braided hair, immediately raising alarms.
The family was forced to return the incorrect body to the Oda Government Hospital morgue. This created immense distress, especially for relatives who had traveled long distances, including the widower from Gabon and the deceased’s father from Asante Juaben, along with many others from Kumasi.
Investigation and Discovery at Suhum Hospital
Further investigations were launched to understand how such a grave error occurred. On May 20, 2026, relatives received information that the missing body of Margaret Yaa Kyeraa had been located at the morgue of the Suhum Government Hospital.
It was discovered that Yaa Kyeraa’s body had been mistakenly transferred to the Suhum facility. This transfer likely occurred during the movement of corpses from the Oda Government Hospital to Suhum, suggesting a systemic issue in the handling and tracking of deceased individuals.
Hospital’s Response and Resolution
When contacted, Dr. Kwabena Awuku, the Medical Superintendent of the Oda Government Hospital, acknowledged the unfortunate development. He requested time to make inquiries and coordinate efforts to locate the missing body.
The hospital’s response included bringing in medical experts from the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to conduct DNA tests. These tests were intended to compare the children of the deceased with the incorrectly identified corpse to confirm its identity.
Hospital management, led by Dr. Awuku, met with the bereaved family on Monday, May 18, 2026. Through negotiations, the family arranged for a hearse to transport Yaa Kyeraa’s body from the Suhum Government Hospital morgue back to Oda.
After a thorough inspection to ensure it was indeed their relative, the family took possession of the correct body. The family has since rescheduled the burial and final funeral rites for Margaret Yaa Kyeraa to June 13, 2026.
Dr. Awuku, when pressed for confirmation about the discovery of the body in Suhum, declined to comment directly, directing the reporter to liaise with the family members for information.
Implications and Future Watch
This incident highlights critical issues in mortuary management and inter-hospital corpse transfer protocols within the Eastern Region. The emotional and financial toll on grieving families can be substantial when such errors occur, disrupting funeral arrangements and adding to their sorrow.
The reliance on visual identification, especially when discrepancies like hairstyles are present, underscores the need for more robust identification procedures. The involvement of DNA testing, though ultimately successful, points to the potential for advanced identification methods to prevent such mix-ups in the future.
Moving forward, authorities and hospital administrations will likely face pressure to review and enhance their protocols for morgue storage, record-keeping, and inter-facility transfers. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of meticulous attention to detail in handling the deceased and respecting the dignity of both the departed and their loved ones. The effectiveness of the DNA testing and the implementation of stricter protocols will be key areas to monitor in the coming months.
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