The Asokwa Circuit Court in Kumasi has convicted two individuals, Evelyn Ataa Amankwah and Collins Agyemang Badu, fining them a total of GHS 24,000 for impersonating medical staff from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). Each individual received a fine of GHS 12,000 after pleading guilty to all charges. This conviction underscores the serious risks posed by individuals who fraudulently present themselves as healthcare professionals.
The two convicts, 33-year-old Evelyn Ataa Amankwah, a private nurse, and 25-year-old Collins Agyemang Badu, a student nurse, were arrested for providing unauthorized medical services. They targeted unsuspecting traders in Kumasi, distributing suspected illicit drugs, vaccines, and medications. Their actions directly endangered public health and safety, highlighting a critical breach of trust within the healthcare system.
This incident reflects a broader concern about the integrity of healthcare services and professional conduct in Ghana. Cases of impersonation and the sale of unverified medical products can erode public confidence in legitimate healthcare providers. The ease with which fake identification cards were produced and used points to vulnerabilities in security protocols and oversight within the healthcare sector.
Prosecutor ASP Stephen informed the court that the illegal operations began in June 2026. Evelyn Ataa Amankwah paid GHS 200 to a printing press operator in Adum, Kumasi, to produce fraudulent KATH identity cards for herself and her accomplice. Amankwah's fake ID identified her as a Disease Control Officer, while Badu's identified him as an Enrolled Nurse. This deliberate act of forgery enabled them to deceive the public.
Equipped with these forged documents, the duo approached business owners and traders in Asokwa, Kumasi, on June 23, 2026. They presented themselves as public health officials from KATH, offering health services and distributing various medical items. Their scheme was exposed when a legitimate public health officer from KATH alerted the hospital's security team. The security team intercepted and arrested Amankwah and Badu at the scene, subsequently handing them over to the police.
Upon their arrest, authorities seized the fake KATH ID cards, vaccines, and various medicines. Both individuals admitted to committing the offenses in their caution statements to the police. They faced three charges: conspiring to commit crimes, forgery of documents contrary to Sections 23(1) and 158 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and practicing medicine without registration, contrary to Section 48(d)(ii) of the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act, 2013 (Act 857).
Her Honour Vida Achiaa Yeboah, presiding over the Asokwa Circuit Court Two, convicted the two on Monday, July 27, 2026. They each received a sentence of 1000 penalty units, equivalent to a GHS 12,000 fine. Evelyn Ataa Amankwah also received a one-day jail sentence, which was suspended due to her pregnancy. This judicial outcome serves as a deterrent against similar fraudulent activities.
The implications of such incidents are far-reaching, affecting public health, trust in medical institutions, and the overall regulatory environment. Healthcare authorities and law enforcement agencies must enhance their collaborative efforts to prevent and prosecute medical fraud. Increased public awareness campaigns about verifying medical professionals and services are also crucial to protect citizens from falling victim to these deceptive schemes. The incident highlights the need for stricter controls on the production of official identification documents and more rigorous checks on individuals claiming to offer medical services.