The Ghana Police Service has arrested a midwife in connection with a suspected child trafficking network that has already led to the rescue of two children.
The suspect, Lucinda Naomi Otchere, who works as the head of the maternity and labour ward at Trust Mother and Child Hospital in Osu, is alleged to have played a key role in the illegal operation.
According to police investigations, she allegedly received a missing seven-year-old girl from another suspect, Janet Larbi, and paid GH¢20,000 in the process. Authorities further claim she later gave an additional GH¢35,000 and allegedly instructed Janet Larbi to deliver another child — a five-year-old girl — to a couple in Pokuase.
Police believe the syndicate has been operating for a long time, with intelligence suggesting multiple coordinated child trafficking activities.
The arrest follows earlier operations by the Central East Regional Police Command, which led to the detention of six other suspects over child trafficking and child stealing offences.
The case began after a complaint was filed on April 10, 2026, at the Kasoa Divisional Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit regarding the disappearance of seven-year-old Khadija Karim in Kasoa.
Investigations revealed that the child was allegedly lured by two suspects under the false promise of taking her to see her biological mother. She was reportedly moved to an undisclosed location before later being returned and warned not to speak about the incident.
Police further linked the suspects to another disturbing case involving the alleged theft of a 10-month-old baby and a five-year-old girl. The infant was later traced to the Ashanti Region, where authorities say it had been sold for GH¢35,000.
The rescued infant has since been reunited with her biological mother, and Khadija Karim has also been safely returned home.
However, the five-year-old girl reportedly sent to Pokuase Agya Herbal remains missing. Police have appealed to the couple believed to be in possession of the child to voluntarily hand her over to the nearest police station or contact authorities immediately.
Currently, five suspects remain on remand, while one has been granted court bail. The case is scheduled to continue at the Ofankor Circuit Court on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
Police say investigations are ongoing and have urged the public to provide any information that could help dismantle the trafficking network and rescue the remaining missing child.
