Ho: Mother on trial for burning son with hot iron over lost pen

A 25-year-old woman is facing trial in Ho after allegedly burning her 11-year-old son with a heated pressing iron as punishment for misplacing a pen.

The accused, Jemima Kwaku, a cook, appeared before the Ho Circuit Court on July 21, where she pleaded not guilty to a charge of causing harm. Prosecutors say the incident occurred on July 15 at Ho Barracks–New Town.

According to ASP Noah Amuzu, Kwaku became furious after learning her son had lost a pen she had recently bought. The boy explained that a classmate had borrowed it and promised to return it the following day, but his mother reportedly dismissed the explanation, locked him in a room, and inflicted the burns.

The court heard that after plugging in a pressing iron, Kwaku pressed it onto the child’s body, leaving severe injuries on his chest, belly, shoulders, lips, backside, and other parts. 

The abuse only came to light on July 18 when the boy’s class teacher noticed his unusual silence in class. Upon questioning, he revealed his ordeal, leading to police involvement.

The child was taken to the hospital for treatment and placed under the care of social workers, while Kwaku was arrested. In her caution statement, she allegedly admitted to the act. She has since been remanded into custody until August 19.

This case has revived debate over child protection and the persistence of violent disciplinary practices in Ghana.