Afia Pokuaa Says Alleged ‘Baby Thief’ Needs Pantang, Not Prison

Ghanaian journalist Afia Pokuaa has expressed deep concern over the case of the alleged baby thief, arguing that the woman is not a criminal but a victim of psychological illness aggravated by societal pressures on women who struggle with fertility.

Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity

Afia Pokuaa insists the accused should not be treated as a thief. She explained that the woman may have been acting under severe emotional and psychological distress and possibly had no awareness that her actions were criminal. In her words, “She is not a Thief, she is a victim of psychological sickness and emotional pressure caused by a society that BLAMES, INSULTS AND PUNISH women because their womb cannot carry a child to full term.”

Pantang Hospital, Not Jail

Rather than imprisonment, Afia Pokuaa recommended the suspect be sent to Pantang Hospital for psychiatric evaluation and treatment. She emphasizes that mental health intervention is more appropriate than criminal punishment in this case, and that society must reflect on the cultural pressures that contributed to this tragedy.

Public Debate And Societal Reflection

The case, under investigation by the Ghana Police Service, has sparked nationwide discussion on mental health, criminal accountability, and women’s rights. Afia Pokuaa criticized the societal stigma women face, describing it as a “sick society” that punishes women for circumstances beyond their control.

Broader Implications

The situation highlights the need for Ghana to better integrate mental health considerations into the justice system and public discourse. It raises critical questions about how society treats vulnerable individuals under extreme psychological stress.

Afia Pokuaa’s stance calls for compassion, psychiatric care, and a societal reevaluation of how women’s reproductive challenges are perceived.