A Ghanaian woman, Gifty Amoakowaa, has filed a high-profile lawsuit against Peace and Love Hospital, alleging a serious breach of patient privacy rights after closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras were reportedly installed in a private breast examination room.
According to legal documents, Amoakowaa claims that the use of surveillance cameras in hospital exam rooms violates her constitutional right to privacy and dignity.
Her legal team argues this act constitutes a gross infringement of her fundamental human rights as enshrined in Articles 15 and 18(2) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which specifically protect individual dignity and personal privacy.
The lawsuit further references Ghana’s Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), specifically Section 167 and the Sixth Schedule, emphasising the importance of patient confidentiality in healthcare facilities. Amoakowaa is demanding accountability, calling the alleged surveillance “unlawful and emotionally damaging.”
She describes the incident as a major breach of medical ethics and trust, stating that the presence of hidden surveillance equipment during such a sensitive medical procedure caused her severe psychological distress, including anxiety and trauma.
The legal case is sparking national conversation about surveillance in healthcare settings, with growing concerns over the balance between security and patient privacy.
If successful, Amoakowaa’s lawsuit could set a precedent for how Ghanaian hospitals protect patient privacy rights and uphold ethical medical standards.
In her petition, Amoakowaa is asking the court to:
- A declaration that the use of CCTV in breast examination rooms is unlawful and infringes on her constitutional rights;
- An order for the immediate removal of all CCTV cameras from consulting and examination rooms in all facilities operated by the respondent;
- A directive that the healthcare provider delete and refrain from storing or disseminating any footage related to the applicant;
- General damages for psychological and emotional harm caused by the breach;
An award of legal costs associated with the application. An affidavit accompanying the suit outlines the alleged infractions and the legal grounds for each of the remedies sought. The application also requests any further relief the court may consider just.
Many are questioning whether CCTV in medical rooms, especially in areas where patients are required to undress, should be permitted at all.
