The 33-year-old trader, Latifa Salifu charged with child stealing, has been granted GH¢200,000 bail with conditions by the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) Circuit Court.

Latifa Salifu has been required to have two sureties with one of whom must justify with landed property valued at GH¢150,000. The court has directed the accused to surrender all her travel documents.

They are expected to submit official identification (Ghana Cards) to the court as part of the bail conditions. She has been directed to appear before the investigator every Monday and Thursday at 1:00 p.m. until further notice. Meanwhile, Latifa Salifu has pleaded not guilty to charges labeled against her.

Latifa Iddrisu, a cloth seller in Accra, has recently made headlines for allegedly stealing a newborn baby delivered via cesarean section by the child’s biological mother on Tuesday, February 17.The incident caused panic among staff and patients at the facility, calling for an intervention by authorities.

Fortunately, the facility’s CCTV cameras captured her carrying the infant and leaving the premises with what appeared to be a sack disguised as a nurse. Following the discovery, the police traced her whereabouts at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where she was found with the baby on Wednesday, February 18.

Many Ghanaians have expressed concern over apparent gaps in hospital security systems. Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service, Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South, Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, and the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, have been lauded for their collective efforts, which led to the baby’s rescue.

A similar incident occurred in Zebilla District Hospital in the Bawku West district of the Upper East Region, where a one-week-old baby was reportedly stolen.

The infant, born to Felicia Dery, was taken in a concerning incident, shedding light on significant gaps in hospital security protocols. Zangina Grace, a midwife on duty, recounted the series of events to Adom News.

According to her, the baby's mother delivered on May 25, 2024, at the hospital. The mother, having formed a bond with a stranger posing as a patient's relative, entrusted her baby to the stranger while she bathed. Later, it was discovered that this imposter had a male accomplice.

“When she returned, the man and the lady were not to be found. They left with the baby. So it has been very sad. A mother who came to deliver through a C-section met some strange people who befriended her. She left her baby with them to go and have her bath, and when she returned, they had disappeared,” she added.

Grace also lamented the hospital's inadequate security measures. She disclosed the lack of CCTV cameras and proper fencing, making it easier for such incidents to go unnoticed.Furthermore, the midwife advocated for stricter visitor regulations, proposing adherence to visiting hours and limiting visitors to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

The baby's father also spoke with Adom News, offering additional insights into how the culprits were identified and apprehended.“She left her ID cards, and that was how we were able to identify her. They circulated it, and that was how they caught her. I wanted to see her, but the police didn’t allow me to enter the station,” he explained.

“We had an unforeseen incident where someone was able to outwit a mother and steal her baby. During visiting hours, she gained the mother’s trust, who gave her baby to take her bath. When she returned, the baby was gone. Through timely community intervention, we have apprehended the suspect, and the baby is safe in our custody. The suspect has since been arrested by the police,” Dr. Abdul-Rahaman stated.

In Walewale, North East Region, a 27-year-old woman, Abdulai Zalia, has been arrested by the West Mamprusi Police Command for allegedly stealing a 13-month-old baby.

The suspect took the baby while the mother was asleep, and the baby’s absence was only noticed when the father returned.