What was meant to be a solemn farewell turned into a distressing ordeal for members of the Bretuo family of Akyem Apaaso near Oda in the Eastern Region after they discovered that the body released to them by the Oda Government Hospital mortuary for burial was not that of their deceased relative.
The family had collected the body from the hospital morgue ahead of the burial of 62-year-old Margaret Yaa Kyeraa. However, their plans were abruptly disrupted when relatives identified discrepancies during preparations for the final rites.
According to a family member who spoke on condition of anonymity, undertakers had completed preparations at the burial grounds on a Friday evening and relatives had gathered for the customary viewing before the burial ceremony.
The situation took an unexpected turn when some family members closely examined the body and realised it was not that of Yaa Kyeraa.
“Yaa Kyeraa had a very low haircut, but the body brought home had braided hair,” the relative explained.
The family immediately returned the body to the morgue and demanded answers from hospital authorities. Adding to their frustration, officials at the Oda Government Hospital were initially unable to locate the body of the deceased, which had been deposited at the facility the previous month in preparation for her burial scheduled for May 16, 2026.
Following investigations, relatives were informed on May 20 that the missing body had been traced to the morgue of the Suhum Government Hospital.
The discovery reportedly came after inquiries were made into whether the body had been mistakenly transferred during the recent relocation of some corpses from the Oda Government Hospital mortuary to Suhum.
The family member said the mix-up caused significant distress to relatives, including the deceased’s husband, who had travelled from Gabon to attend the funeral, her father from Asante Juaben in the Ashanti Region, and several family members who journeyed from Kumasi to Akyem Apaaso for the burial.
When contacted about the incident, the Medical Superintendent of the Oda Government Hospital, Dr. Kwabena Awuku, described the development as unfortunate and requested time to investigate the matter before any publication.
As part of efforts to resolve the issue, the hospital reportedly engaged medical experts from Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to conduct DNA tests involving the children of the deceased and the unidentified body that had been mistakenly released.
On May 18, 2026, management of the Oda Government Hospital, led by Dr. Awuku, met with members of the bereaved family to discuss the matter.
Following discussions, arrangements were made for the body of Margaret Yaa Kyeraa to be transported from the Suhum Government Hospital morgue back to Oda. Relatives at Suhum also inspected and collected the body believed to be that of their own family member after confirming its identity.
Despite the unfortunate incident, the family has rescheduled the burial and final funeral rites of Margaret Yaa Kyeraa for June 13, 2026.
When contacted after reports emerged that the missing body had been found at Suhum, Dr. Awuku declined to confirm or deny the development and advised the reporter to seek further information from the deceased’s family.