Farmer, 42, jailed six months for burning daughter’s palms

A 42-year-old farmer, Edward Kobina Asiedu, has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment by the Krachi District Court for burning the palms of his five-year-old daughter with a red-hot stainless steel spoon.

Asiedu, who pleaded guilty to causing harm, admitted committing the offence before the court presided over by Eric Kwarteng.

In delivering judgment, the judge noted that he was constrained by the fact that the convict was the breadwinner of his five children and his Nigerian wife.

Case facts

According to Detective Corporal Wisdom Tetteh, the incident occurred on August 19 at Krachikrom. Asiedu’s wife, Mrs Gift Amakey Asiedu, a trader, had bought three balls of kenkey and fried fish worth GH¢10.00 for her husband’s supper, and sent them home through their daughter.

Upon receiving the meal, Asiedu asked for the fish. The girl admitted that she had eaten it, which angered him.

He then placed a stainless steel spoon in the fire until it turned red-hot and pressed it between the child’s palms, claiming it was to “correct” her.

When Mrs Asiedu returned from the market that evening, she treated the injuries at home out of fear.

However, on August 26, when the wounds became infected, a neighbour reported the matter to the police.

Asiedu was arrested, investigated and subsequently arraigned before the court, where he pleaded guilty and was sentenced accordingly.