Forensic histopathologist Dr. Paul Ossei Sampene has sharply criticized the government’s decision to send the remains of the recent military helicopter crash victims to South Africa for forensic identification, describing the move as a “national disgrace” and a reflection of Ghana’s failing health system.
His remarks follow the Thursday departure of a specially deployed jet from Accra, carrying the remains of eight people who died in the tragic crash at Adansi in the Ashanti Region. The deceased include Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and six others.
Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, Dr. Sampene questioned why Ghana still lacks the capacity to conduct DNA testing domestically. He stressed that the issue goes beyond the speed of testing and is instead about ensuring accuracy and reliability.
“It’s not about fast-tracking because families want to bury their loved ones quickly. The government has failed the system by not investing in our medical infrastructure,” he said.
The pathologist expressed frustration that despite Ghana spending heavily to train medical professionals overseas, the country’s health facilities remain poorly equipped.
“We train many doctors abroad, but when they return, they find a system incapable of handling even basic procedures. Hospitals like Korle Bu and Komfo Anokye exist in name only. I feel so bad about it,” he lamented.
Dr. Sampene labelled the decision to send samples overseas as a “national day of disgrace” and questioned why Ghanaian medical schools continue to operate if there is no confidence in their graduates.
“If there is no trust in our system, why would officials send their children here to be trained?” he asked.
He urged the Ghana Medical and Dental Council, along with the Ghana Medical Association, to treat this incident as a wake-up call and press the government to make urgent investments in the country’s medical infrastructure.
“Enough is enough. This situation is a disgrace to our nation,” Dr. Sampene declared.
