Alleged thieves have vandalized the newly built mortuary at the Prestea Government Hospital, stealing electrical cables and copper components, which has further postponed its long-awaited commissioning.
According to a Citinewsroom report, the theft took place in the early hours of Tuesday, January 20, 2026, with the perpetrators cutting and removing electrical cables that connect the facility to the national grid, as well as copper coils from the refrigeration system. Although the mortuary was completed approximately five years ago, it remains unused due to ongoing issues.
Hospital caretaker Dr. Otoo Acheampong described the event as part of a persistent series of thefts plaguing the facility.
“This is not the first time such an incident has happened. These repeated acts of theft are delaying the commissioning of the mortuary, which was built to replace the old and overstretched one,” he stated, highlighting inadequate security as a key problem.
Dr. Acheampong urged local residents to assist in safeguarding the hospital, emphasizing that the mortuary benefits the entire community.
Technician Michael Koomson, who attended to the scene, reported receiving a distress call around 1:00 a.m. about a power outage at the new mortuary.
“When I arrived, the main hospital had power, but the mortuary building was completely dark,” he recounted.
A daylight inspection revealed that the cables had been vandalized and led into a nearby bush.
“About 100 metres of 16mm electrical cable had been cut and removed,” Mr. Koomson added, noting that this marked the third such occurrence at the site.
He blamed the repeated incidents on the mortuary’s remote location and the lack of sufficient security, pointing out that the hospital relies on just one guard positioned at the main entrance.
Hospital officials have expressed concern over the setback to operationalizing the mortuary and are advocating for enhanced security measures to deter future thefts.