Accra, Oct. 8. The Airport Divisional Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) has arrested two nannies for allegedly administering sleep-inducing substances to twin toddlers under their care.
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 apprehended following a complaint by the mother, a 40-year-old businesswoman, in September 2025.
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The mother reported that her two-year-old twin boys exhibited unusual drowsiness and behavioural changes over an extended period. Investigations revealed that the nannies had allegedly mixed an unknown sleep-inducing substance into the children’s milk without her knowledge or consent. Superintendent Obeng stated that the nannies claimed the substance helped the children sleep for extended hours so they could attend to other household chores.
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Further inquiry revealed that Harriet Ansah admitted to the act, stating she learned the practice from Boakye. She also confessed to other forms of abuse, including striking the children’s heads with fire and using derogatory names such as “chimpanzee.”
The accused had been employed by the complainant for eight months. A search of their living quarters uncovered two used sachets and four unused sachets containing the suspected substances, which have been forwarded for forensic examination.
Both suspects have been cautioned, charged, and are in police custody, with a court appearance scheduled for October 20, 2025.
The Greater Accra Regional Police Command condemned the alleged actions as “deplorable and unacceptable,” urging parents and guardians to exercise heightened vigilance when supervising domestic staff responsible for vulnerable persons.
Superintendent Obeng assured the public that updates will be provided as investigations continue.
