A 25-year-old cook in Ho, Jemima Kwaku, has been accused of burning her 11-year-old son with a hot pressing iron as punishment for losing a pen at school, and is now standing trial at the Ho Circuit Court.
The case is being presided over by Abdul O. Hakeem and has drawn public attention because of the cruel nature of the punishment.
According to ASP Noah Amuzu, who is prosecuting the case, the incident happened on July 15 at Ho Barracks, New Town. Jemima, accused of locking her son inside a bedroom before heating up a pressing iron and pressing it on several parts of his body, including his belly, chest, lips, shoulders, and back.
The boy had explained that he lent the pen to a classmate who forgot to return it and promised to bring it back the next day. But Jemima reportedly became furious, refused to accept the explanation, and carried out the brutal act. Afterward, she allegedly warned the boy not to tell anyone.
However, the secret did not last long.
On July 18, 2025, when the boy went to school, his teacher noticed he was unusually quiet and withdrawn. Sensing something was wrong, the teacher questioned him, and the boy bravely revealed what had happened. Shocked, the teacher quickly informed the headmaster, who then reported the matter to the police.
The boy was taken to the hospital for treatment, while his mother was arrested. In her caution statement, Jemima admitted to the offence. She appeared in court on July 21, 2025 and pleaded not guilty to causing harm. She has since been remanded into prison custody until August 19, 2025 as the case continues.
The court also heard that the child is now under the care of social workers, who are ensuring his safety and wellbeing.
This incident has reminded many residents of another troubling case in May last year, when a 62-year-old woman, Margaret Gafa, was arrested in Ho for burning her nine-year-old niece. The child had failed to sell all the kebabs she was given before school. That girl, too, was rescued and placed in social care.
The Ho community has been left deeply worried by these repeated incidents, raising calls for stricter protection of children and harsher punishments for abusers.
