The Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) under the Airport Divisional Police Command in Accra has arrested two nannies accused of giving sleep-inducing substances to twin toddlers in their care.
Head of the Public Affairs Unit of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Juliana Obeng, confirmed the development at a press briefing.
The suspects have been identified as Francisca Boakye, 30, a student nurse from Konongo in the Ashanti Region, and Harriet Ansah, 31, from Jasikan in the Oti Region.
They were taken into custody following a complaint lodged by the children’s mother, a 40-year-old businesswoman, in September 2025.
The mother had reportedly observed that her two-year-old twins often appeared unusually drowsy and showed strange behavioural changes over time.
Her suspicions led to further checks, which uncovered a disturbing revelation, the nannies had allegedly been mixing an unknown sleep-inducing substance into the children’s milk without her consent.
“They claimed the substance made the children sleep for longer hours so they could focus on other household chores,” Superintendent Obeng explained during a media briefing.
Further investigations by the police revealed that Harriet Ansah confessed to the act and claimed she learned the practice from her colleague, Francisca Boakye.
Ansah is also alleged to have admitted to other abusive behaviours, including hitting the children on the head with fire and using derogatory names such as “chimpanzee” to address them.
The suspects, who had been employed by the complainant for the past eight months, were found in possession of two used sachets and four unused sachets of substances suspected to be linked to the alleged abuse. The police have since sent the items for forensic analysis.
Both suspects have been formally charged and remain in police custody pending their next court appearance on October 20, 2025.
The Greater Accra Regional Police Command has strongly condemned the incident, describing it as “inhumane and unacceptable.”
Superintendent Obeng also urged parents and guardians to be more cautious and vigilant in monitoring domestic workers, especially those responsible for children and other vulnerable individuals.
Police say further updates on the case will be shared as investigations progress.
Source: Adomonline
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