The mortuary at St. Anne’s Catholic Hospital in Damongo has been hit by a foul odour after three bodies from the Gbenyiri conflict began decomposing due to a faulty fridge.
Hospital sources say the problem was caused by a mortuary refrigerator that broke down for more than a week.
The three bodies, all male, were part of seven transferred in August 2025 from Sawla to Damongo due to limited space.
The Gbenyiri conflict erupted on August 24 over the ownership of a small piece of land.
Although the matter was initially settled at the Chief’s palace, disagreements led to violent clashes that left five people dead and later spread to other parts of Sawla-Tuna-Kalba and the Bole District.
When contacted, Savannah Regional Crime Officer ASP Godfrey Quaye stated that the hospital had not formally informed the police.
“I’m hearing this from you for the first time because hospital officials are yet to notify us,” he told reporters.
ASP Quaye added that the release of the bodies for burial is pending directives.
“The Regional Minister asked us to hold on. There are procedures we must follow to avoid complications, and it is not clear whether government will handle the burial or allow families to do so.”
Meanwhile, sources say the Savannah Regional Security Council is divided over the next steps.
While some members favour a state-led burial to calm tensions, others believe the bodies should be released to the bereaved families.
In the absence of Regional Minister Salisu Be-Awuribe, hospital officials sought assistance from West Gonja MCE, Yakubu Yussif Castro, to repair the faulty fridge, but efforts were unsuccessful.
On Saturday, September 27, a technician was brought in from Tamale, but the situation remained unresolved at the time of reporting.
Currently, the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District Hospital is keeping five bodies, while St. Anne’s Catholic Hospital holds seven.
Out of the five at Sawla, three have already been identified and buried.
