- A 25-year-old unemployed woman, Helena Aba Kwansah Abakah, has appeared in court for allegedly stealing an eight-month-old baby boy.
- The accused allegedly circumcised the baby, which is against the cultural practices of the baby's mother, Ms Halima Joll.
- The case has been adjourned to April 28, 2026, as the court continues to hear proceedings.
- The accused has pleaded not guilty to the charge of child stealing, contrary to Section 93 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
The Tarkwa Circuit Court in the Western Region has been gripped by a shocking case of child stealing. Helena Aba Kwansah Abakah, a 25-year-old unemployed woman, has been accused of stealing an eight-month-old baby boy and circumcising him against the cultural practices of the baby's mother. The case has sent shockwaves across the community, raising questions about the motives behind such a heinous crime.
The accused allegedly met the baby's mother, Ms Halima Joll, on a commercial vehicle traveling from Kumasi to Bogoso. They exchanged contact numbers and kept in touch, which ultimately led to the accused convincing the mother to braid her hair at St James Anglican Church at Ateikuem. During the braiding process, the accused allegedly took the baby from the mother under the pretext of helping her work more freely.
Background to the Incident
The accused, also known as Dijah Ali, met the baby's mother, Ms Halima Joll, on December 20, 2025, while they were passengers on a commercial vehicle traveling from Kumasi to Bogoso. After the journey, they exchanged contact numbers and kept in touch. This led to the accused convincing the mother to braid her hair at St James Anglican Church at Ateikuem, where the braiding process took place.
The accused allegedly took the baby from the mother under the pretext of helping her work more freely. She then took the baby to another location in search of more customers, where she allegedly absconded with the baby. The baby's mother, who could only speak Fulfulde, was unable to call for help and instead rushed home to inform her husband. The couple subsequently reported the matter to the Bogoso Police Station and provided the accused's phone number to aid investigations.
Investigations and Arrest
On January 14, 2026, the Cyber Crime Unit of the Ghana Police Service tracked the accused's phone number to Prestea, where she was arrested. The missing child was found with her and rescued. The complainant later identified her son but noticed that he had been circumcised, an act against her cultural practices.
A medical report from the Bogoso Government Hospital, presented to the court, indicated that the child's blood level had dropped. Further investigations revealed that the accused had married one Abdulai Salu in April 2025 and had allegedly told him she was pregnant before their marriage. She, however, failed to present the child to him despite repeated requests.
Prosecutor's Case
The prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police Samuel Ahiabor, told the court that the accused allegedly stole the baby from his mother on December 24, 2025. He added that the accused had been in contact with the baby's mother and had convinced her to braid her hair at St James Anglican Church at Ateikuem, where the braiding process took place.
The prosecutor also presented evidence that the accused had married one Abdulai Salu in April 2025 and had allegedly told him she was pregnant before their marriage. She, however, failed to present the child to him despite repeated requests. The accused has since been formally charged and remains before the court as proceedings continue.
What This Means
The case of Helena Aba Kwansah Abakah has sent shockwaves across the community, raising questions about the motives behind such a heinous crime. The accused's actions have not only caused harm to the baby but have also caused emotional distress to the baby's mother. The case highlights the need for stricter laws to protect children from such crimes.
The case also raises questions about the role of the community in preventing such crimes. The accused was able to convince the baby's mother to braid her hair at St James Anglican Church at Ateikuem, where the braiding process took place. This highlights the need for community members to be more vigilant and report suspicious activities to the authorities.
The case is ongoing, and the court will continue to hear proceedings. The accused has pleaded not guilty to the charge of child stealing, contrary to Section 93 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). The outcome of the case will be closely watched by the community, and the verdict will be a testament to the justice system's ability to protect children from such crimes.
