East Legon nannies in court over sleep-inducing drugs given to toddlers

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, have been charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit a crime and four counts of causing harm.

Both pleaded not guilty.

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

They are scheduled to reappear on November 27, 2025.

Prosecutors told the court that the complainant, a businesswoman residing at East Legon, had employed the accused persons as live-in nannies.

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

Koranteng, familiar with the drug and its side effects, questioned Harriet about its intended use, but she declined to respond, raising his suspicion.

According to the prosecution, 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 reportedly told Koranteng that she had inherited the practice from Francisca, who had previously worked for the complainant.

Koranteng subsequently 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 (CCTV) 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 as evidence and forwarded to the Food and Drugs Authority. The report is pending.

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

Both accused persons 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.