A 36-year-old woman has been remanded into prison custody by the Tafo Circuit Court in the Ashanti Region,Ghana after being accused of severely mistreating her nine-year-old sister in their shared home at Duase in the Kumasi Metropolis.
The suspect, identified as Beauty Alakwe, faces charges of assault and causing harm. Her arrest followed reports that she allegedly poured hot water on the child and inflicted additional injuries after the girl defecated in their room. The child, Ruth Wisdom, is currently receiving medical attention and psychological support under the supervision of Social Welfare officials in the Kwabre East Municipality.
The case came to the attention of authorities after a news report prompted the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Naa MoMo Lartey, to order an immediate intervention. Upon arrival, officials found the child showing signs consistent with prolonged mistreatment.
According to neighbours and co-tenants, Alakwe brought the child from Nigeria to live with her but has allegedly subjected her to repeated abuse. They reported that the suspect often locked the victim and her own young child in a single room while she went to work overnight, leaving them without access to a proper toilet. With no facility in the room, the children relied on a nearby public toilet, sometimes unsuccessfully—leading to further punishment from the accused.
The most recent incident on Saturday, November 22, prompted neighbours to intervene and rush the child to the Manhyia Hospital. Health workers who examined her noted several old injuries, suggesting a pattern of ongoing harm.
During Tuesday’s court appearance on November 25, Alakwe requested legal representation, which the presiding judge, His Honour Festus Fovi Nukunu, granted. Although she was initially remanded into police custody, prosecutors requested a transfer to prison custody due to non-functional washroom facilities at the Kenyasi Police cells. The court approved the request.
Alakwe is expected to reappear before the court on December 12, 2025, as investigations continue and child protection authorities monitor the victim’s recovery and placement.
Source:Africa Publicity
