The family of 29-year-old engineer Charles Amissah has expressed profound grief following his tragic death after being turned away from multiple hospitals due to bed shortages, calling on urgent reforms in Ghana’s healthcare system.

In an emotional interview on JoyNews’ News Desk programme, his sister who is in the medical field, Dr Matilda Amissah, described Charles as a “quiet, loving gentleman” and the “backbone of the house” who always supported their family.

“He was very quiet, loving, and a gentleman,” she recalled. “He supported my mom in everything. As an engineer, he could dismantle and put things back together in the twinkle of an eye.”

Dr Amissah recounted the harrowing day the family learned of Charles’ accident at the Circle Overpass on February 6, 2026.

Initially fearing he was missing, the family was later called by the Nima Police to identify a body. “We thought he was missing. We reported it to the police… and eventually, Nima Police called us to identify a person. The age was 48,” she said, holding back tears.

Tragically, the National Ambulance Service had transported Charles to three hospitals over nearly three hours, but none could admit him due to reported bed shortages.

“Three hours, and no one could help him,” Dr Amissah lamented.

Despite the heartbreak, she emphasised Charles’ legacy of strength and resilience.

“I want us to remember him as a strong, resilient young man, ready to fix things and make things right,” she said.

Preparations for Charles’ funeral, which will be held on Friday, February 27, 2026, at the Methodist Church in Accra, are ongoing.

“We are 90% ready for the funeral,” Dr Amissah shared, noting the support of Promasidor Ghana Limited in assisting the family.

Considering her professional work, Dr Amissah also called for urgent reforms in emergency care, stressing the importance of a strong triage system that can prioritise patients and save lives.

“If the triage system is strong enough, doctors can intervene and give first aid immediately… It would go a long way,” she noted.

Charles, who sustained severe shoulder injuries in a hit-and-run accident, went into cardiac arrest at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful after he had been denied admission.

His death has sparked nationwide reflection on the gaps in Ghana’s emergency healthcare system.