The Airport Divisional Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) in Accra has arrested two nannies accused of administering sleep-inducing substances to twin toddlers under their care at East Legon.
According to Superintendent Juliana Obeng, Head of the Public Affairs Unit, the suspects — Francisca Boakye, 30, a student nurse from Konongo in the Ashanti Region, and Harriet Ansah, 31, from Jasikan in the Oti Region — were arrested following a complaint lodged in September 2025 by the children’s mother, a 40-year-old businesswoman.
The mother reported that her two-year-old twin boys had been unusually drowsy and displayed abnormal behaviour for some time. Subsequent inquiries revealed that the nannies allegedly mixed an unidentified sleep-inducing substance into the children’s milk without her knowledge or consent.
“They claimed the substance made the children sleep longer so they could attend to other household chores,” Superintendent Obeng told reporters.
Investigations further revealed that Harriet Ansah admitted to the act, alleging she learned the practice from her colleague, Francisca Boakye. Ansah also confessed to physically and verbally abusing the children, including hitting them on the head with fire and calling them derogatory names such as “chimpanzee.”
The suspects, who had been employed by the complainant for the past eight months, were found with two used and four unused sachets of substances believed to be connected to the alleged offences. The items have been sent for forensic analysis.
Both suspects have been cautioned and charged, and they remain in police custody pending their next court appearance on October 20, 2025.
The Greater Accra Regional Police Command has condemned the alleged acts, describing them as “deplorable and unacceptable.” Superintendent Obeng urged parents and guardians to exercise vigilance in supervising domestic workers, especially those caring for vulnerable persons such as children.
Police say further updates will be provided as investigations progress.
Source:Africa Publicity
