Two nannies accused of administering sleep-inducing drugs to their employer’s twin toddlers have appeared before the District Court in Accra. 

Francisca Boakye, 30, unemployed, and Harriet Ansah, 31, a nanny, were charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit crime and four counts of causing harm.  

They pleaded not guilty. 

The court granted them bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 apiece, with two sureties to be justified with landed property.  

They are to reappear on November 27, 2025. 

Prosecutors told the court that the complainant, a businesswoman residing at East Legon, employed the accused persons as residential nannies. 

On September 20, 2025, Harriet allegedly sent Emmanuel Koranteng, a non-residential driver and witness in the case, to purchase a half crate of eggs and GH¢5 worth of Dynell tablets (4mg) from a nearby pharmacy. 

Koranteng, familiar with the drug and its side effects, questioned Harriet about its intended use.  

She declined to respond, raising his suspicion. 

Harriet later confided in Koranteng that the complainant’s children were difficult to manage and did not sleep well.  

She allegedly admitted to mixing the drugs into their food daily to improve their eating and sleeping habits, without the complainant’s knowledge or consent. 

Harriet claimed to have inherited the practice from Francisca, who had previously worked for the complainant. 

Koranteng informed the complainant, who reported the matter to the Police.  

A medical report form was issued for the children to receive treatment at the Police Hospital or any government facility. 

The prosecution said Closed-Circuit Television footage from the complainant’s residence showed Harriet subjecting the children to various forms of inhuman treatment. 

Harriet was arrested and, in her caution statement, admitted the offence and implicated Francisca as her accomplice. 

A search of Harriet’s room revealed two used and four unused trays of Dynewell tablets (4mg), which were retained for evidence and forwarded to the Food and Drugs Authority. The report is pending. 

Francisca was also arrested and admitted to the offence in her caution statement. 

The accused have since been arraigned before a Circuit Court at the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) Headquarters in Accra.  

The case was adjourned to November 27, 2025, for further proceedings.