President John Dramani Mahama
The Africa Centre for Security and Counterterrorism (ACSC) has launched a blistering attack on what it describes as one of Ghana's most disturbing cases of institutional failure, urging President John Dramani Mahama to immediately remove the Saboba District Health Insurance Manager, Omega Timothy, and ensure his swift prosecution over allegations of unlicensed medical practice.
In a strongly-worded petition addressed to the President, the security policy think tank accused the state of allowing a criminal case involving alleged illegal medical practice and reported patient deaths to remain dormant for nearly eight years while the suspect allegedly rose to occupy a key position within the country's public health administration.
According to ACSC, Omega Timothy was arrested in 2018 during a joint operation by the Medical and Dental Council and the Ghana Police Service after allegedly operating an unlicensed clinic and drug store at Wapuli in the Saboba District.
The organisation cited statements by the Medical and Dental Council indicating that Timothy allegedly administered medication without proper medical examinations and that some patients reportedly suffered severe complications, with some allegedly losing their lives.
The organisation further stated that despite the seriousness of the allegations, the criminal docket reportedly remained untouched for almost eight years.
ACSC said it only discovered the prolonged inaction after filing a Right to Information request with the Office of the Attorney-General in May 2026.
According to the Attorney-General's response referenced in the petition, investigative directives issued in 2018 were never executed, and it was only after the RTI request that a State Attorney directed that Omega Timothy be charged with practising medicine without lawful authority before the Circuit Court in Yendi.
The organisation described the revelation as a shocking indictment of Ghana's justice system.
"What makes this case even more alarming," ACSC argued, "is that the same individual currently serves as the District Health Insurance Manager for Saboba, exercising authority within the health sector while facing prosecution over allegations connected to illegal medical practice."
The Centre warned that allowing such a situation to persist undermines public confidence in both the justice and healthcare systems, particularly in vulnerable rural communities.
ACSC also alleged that Omega Timothy held prominent political positions within the National Democratic Congress (NDC), including serving as Constituency Organiser in Saboba and as an aide to the Member of Parliament for the area, who currently serves as Minister for Transport.
The organisation questioned whether political connections contributed to the prolonged delay in prosecuting the case.
It insisted that political office must never become a shield against criminal accountability.
In its petition, ACSC called on President Mahama to immediately direct the Ministry of Health and the National Health Insurance Authority to suspend Omega Timothy pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings.
It further urged the President to ensure the Attorney-General's directive for prosecution is implemented without further delay and to institute an independent inquiry into how the case remained inactive for nearly eight years.
The organisation said justice delayed has denied closure to affected families and exposed residents of Saboba to unnecessary risks.
The petition has intensified public scrutiny over accountability within Ghana's health sector and raises fresh questions about whether political influence has compromised the administration of justice in one of the country's most sensitive public health cases.
As of the time of publication, neither Omega Timothy, the National Health Insurance Authority, nor the Presidency had publicly responded to the allegations contained in the ACSC petition.
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