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 in their care.

According to Superintendent Juliana Obeng, Head of the Public Affairs Unit, during a press briefing, 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 arrested after the mother of the children, a 40-year-old businesswoman, filed a complaint in September 2025.

The mother reported observing unusual drowsiness and behavioural changes in her two-year-old twin boys over a prolonged period.

Her concerns prompted further enquiries, which revealed a disturbing pattern: the nannies had allegedly been administering an unidentified sleep-inducing substance suspected to be mixed into the children’s milk without the mother’s knowledge or consent.

"They claim the substance made the children sleep for extended hours so they could attend to other household chores," Superintendent Obeng stated during the briefing.

Further police investigations uncovered that Harriet Ansah admitted to the act and claimed she learned the practice from her colleague, Francisca Boakye.

In a shocking confession, Ansah also revealed that she had subjected the children to other forms of abuse, including striking their heads with fire and referring to them with derogatory names, such as "chimpanzee".

The accused has reportedly been employed by the complainant for the past eight months. A search conducted in the suspects’ living quarters led to the retrieval of two used sachets and four unused sachets containing substances believed to have been used in the alleged offences.

These items have been retained and forwarded for forensic examination, Superintendent Obeng noted.

The suspects have since been cautioned and charged with the appropriate offences. Both are currently in police custody and are expected to reappear before the court on 20th October 2025.

The Greater Accra Regional Police Command has strongly condemned the inhumane treatment of the children, describing the alleged actions as “deplorable and unacceptable”.

“We urge all parents and guardians to be extra vigilant in the supervision of domestic staff, especially those left in charge of vulnerable persons such as children,” Superintendent Obeng said.

The police have assured the public that further updates will be communicated as investigations continue.