In the wake of the death of 29-year-old engineer Charles Amissah, Parliament is considering ways to strengthen Ghana’s emergency medical system through new legislation.

Amissah, who suffered severe injuries in a hit-and-run crash at the Circle Overpass in Accra on February 6, 2026, reportedly could not be admitted at Police Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital, or Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital due to a lack of available beds.

He later suffered cardiac arrest while awaiting treatment at Korle Bu and was pronounced dead despite resuscitation efforts.

Addressing Parliament on February 24, Speaker Alban Bagbin emphasised the need for a legislative solution to prevent such “needless deaths” in the future.

He instructed the Health Committee to examine all documentation from the Ministry of Health, Korle-Bu, and other relevant institutions to determine accountability and recommend measures.

“At the end of the day, I will urge the House for us to legislate on the matter. We need to pass an emergency care law on this matter,” Bagbin said, underscoring that the tragedy highlights critical gaps in emergency medical services.

The proposed legislation is expected to set minimum standards for emergency response, ensure hospitals maintain capacity for critical patients, and enforce accountability for cases of medical negligence.

Deputy Minister of Health, Prof Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, who also serves as a trauma specialist, affirmed government commitment to upgrading healthcare facilities and ending the so-called “no bed syndrome.”

Lawmakers and health officials alike say that this legislative push is crucial to protecting lives and ensuring that emergency care in Ghana is prompt, reliable, and universally accessible.