Residents of Hangaline, a suburb of Damongo in the Savannah Region, have been thrown into a state of shock following the discovery of a newborn baby boy abandoned by its mother on a heap of refuse in the community.

The baby boy believed to have been delivered the same day was found wrapped in a cloth and placed in sacks.

The day-old baby was found with a portion of its umbilical cord still attached to the navel and wrapped in a blood-stained white cloth.

According to an eyewitness who was first at the scene, the baby was found wrapped in a cloth and left helpless among household waste.

“I went to dump refuse this morning when I heard the cry of a baby coming from the dump.

I rushed to inform the Environmental Health Officers who were also in their line of duty in the area of the cry of a baby in the refuse dump,” the witness recounted.

Madam Saaka Laadi, a Principal Environmental Health Assistant, along with her team, has since conveyed the baby to the St Anne’s Hospital in Damongo. 

In an interview, Madam Laadi described the situation as both disturbing and unfortunate.

"We condemn this act in the strongest possible terms.

There are safer, more humane ways to handle unwanted pregnancies.

This action is criminal and poses a grave health risk to the child and the public," she said. 

The baby has since been rescued and rushed to St. Anne’s Hospital in Damongo.

Sister Diana Bayor, a midwife at the facility, confirmed that the newborn was immediately processed and admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for observation and care.

"Thankfully, the baby is stable and receiving the necessary support," Sister Bayor added. 

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, and the public is urged to provide any relevant information to help locate the person(s) responsible. 

Meanwhile, the hospital management unit of the St Anne Hospital in Damongo has launched an appeal for support for the child.

Dr Agbodo made the call after the Naada Jinapor Foundation, an NGO, donated a cash amount of GHS 5000 to support the upkeep of the child.