Funeral of Charles Amissah sparks grief and calls for reform

Accra mourns the loss of a young professional whose tragic death in a hit‑and‑run has reignited debate over emergency healthcare and accountability.

The city of Accra was steeped in grief on Friday as mourners gathered to bid farewell to Charles Amissah, the 29‑year‑old who died earlier this month after a hit‑and‑run accident at Kwame Nkrumah Circle. Family, friends, and colleagues filled the Methodist Resurrection Church, their sorrow compounded by unanswered questions surrounding both the crash and the medical response that followed.

Clad in black and red, mourners wept openly as tributes painted a portrait of a man remembered for his humility, kindness, and dedication. “He was vibrant, hardworking, and full of promise,” one relative said, struggling to contain emotion. Colleagues from Promasidor Ghana recalled his strong work ethic and willingness to go the extra mile, describing him as a team player whose absence will be deeply felt.

Amissah was struck by an unidentified vehicle on February 6 in a hit‑and‑run incident at the busy Circle enclave. The driver fled the scene, leaving him critically injured. Though the National Ambulance Service stabilised him, his ordeal was compounded by a lack of hospital beds. After nearly three hours of being moved between facilities, he succumbed to his injuries.

The family’s grief has been sharpened by the circumstances of his death. “The driver involved in the incident is said to have fled the scene, leaving the victim fatally injured,” relatives noted, adding that the absence of accountability has deepened their pain.

The fallout has extended beyond the accident itself. Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has interdicted two doctors and two nurses pending a full investigation into the emergency care provided. A committee has been established to probe the case, with hospital authorities pledging transparency and cooperation.

The incident has reignited public debate over Ghana’s emergency healthcare system, exposing gaps in infrastructure and response capacity. Advocates argue that Amissah’s death underscores the urgent need for reforms to prevent similar tragedies.

For the family, the funeral was not only a farewell but also a moment of resolve. They remain determined to seek justice for Charles, even as they grapple with the enormity of their loss.

His passing has become a rallying point for broader calls to strengthen emergency healthcare delivery nationwide. As mourners left the Resurrection Methodist Chapel in Adenta Housing Down, the grief was palpable — but so too was the demand for accountability and change.