Death wish? Family zooms to 'dead' relation's surprise

Augustina Mensah looks at her 'Mom', Madam Comfort Amoh

There was drama at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital Thursday when a family turned up with a coffin to carry home the supposed remains of a relative they had abandoned for several months.

Augustina Mensah, 25, had been treated and ready to be re-united with her family but hospital authorities say for several months and countless calls, the family members refused to come for their relative.

Hospital authorities then decided to tell the family their 'beloved' relation had passed away, and in a matter of days, Augustina's family members rallied round to dispatch a delegation to bring home 'the dead.'

Comfort Amoh, who claimed to be an aunt of the cured patient led the delegation that descended on the "Asylum" as the Accra Psychiatric Hospital is known, with a coffin.

Dr. Akwasi Osei of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital told Myjoyonline.com they were forced to adopt the “unethical but efficient” strategy to re-unite the cured patient with their family.

He said the hospital may adopt similar tricks to de-congest the hospital.

Comfort Amoh told Myjoyonline.com she was sad and elated at the same time over the turn of events.

She admitted her shame that the family did not heed the earlier call by the hospital officials but thanked God her niece was alive.

According to her, she was neither aware of the ailment of her niece, nor the persistent calls by hospital officials to pick her home. She however received the sad news of her death and decided to come to the hospital to verify.

She denied bringing a coffin, saying they were at the hospital to ascertain the truth before proceeding to get a coffin.

Tears of Joy


Augustina Mensah could not wait to be re-united with her family. With broad smiles mixed with intermittent laughter, Augustina narrated her struggles to Myjoyonline.com.

She said she had been on the streets for many years selling several items including pure water and remembers being brought to the hospital by friends who claimed she was growing too lean.

Augustina Mensah was gracious to hospital authorities for their care but did not fail to remember the times of hunger she was made to endure.

When she saw Comfort Amoh accompanied by one of her relatives open the gates of the female ward, she leapt with joy; her red and wet eyes let out tears she had kept within.

She told Myjoyonline.com Comfort Amoh is her mother- a statement neither Myjoyonline.com nor hospital officials could confirm.

She quickly engaged her in a conversation narrating where she had been staying before she was brought to the hospital and who is in possession of her belongings.

An investigator at the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) and who is the architect of the entire set-up said he was happy to have re-united the victim to her family.

Ernest Kornutse confirmed seeing the family with the coffin, with some dressed in black, apparently mourning the death of their 'beloved'.

Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana