Two nannies arrested for drugging twin toddlers in Accra
By Solomon Tetteh Nartey
The Airport Divisional Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) in Accra 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 after the mother of the children, a 40-year-old businesswoman, lodged a complaint in September 2025.
The mother reportedly became alarmed after observing prolonged drowsiness and unusual behaviour in her two-year-old twin boys.
Her suspicions led to further inquiries, which uncovered that the nannies had allegedly been administering an unidentified sleep-inducing substance, believed to have been mixed into the children’s milk, without her knowledge or consent.
“They claim the substance made the children sleep for extended hours so they could attend to other household chores,” Superintendent Obeng revealed during a press briefing.
Police investigations further established that Harriet Ansah confessed to the act, claiming she learned the practice from her colleague, Francisca Boakye.
She also admitted to subjecting the toddlers to other forms of abuse, including hitting their heads with fire and calling them derogatory names such as “chimpanzee.”
The suspects had reportedly been employed by the complainant for the past eight months. A search of their quarters led to the discovery of two used sachets and four unused sachets containing substances suspected to have been used in the offences. These items have since been forwarded for forensic examination.
Superintendent Obeng confirmed that both suspects have been cautioned and charged with appropriate offences. They remain in police custody and are scheduled to reappear before court on 20 October 2025.
The Greater Accra Regional Police Command has condemned the alleged acts, describing them as “deplorable and unacceptable.”
“We urge all parents and guardians to be extra vigilant in supervising domestic staff, especially those entrusted with the care of vulnerable individuals such as children,” Superintendent Obeng cautioned.
