A 40-year-old Ghanaian woman, Aba Hagan, was arrested in the United States after subjecting her son to a form of punishment that is considered common in some Ghanaian households but is illegal and abusive under U.S. law. The incident occurred on May 3, 2019, when officers were called to a domestic disturbance at an apartment on Rachel Road around 8 p.m.
Upon arrival, police discovered a naked boy who revealed that his mother had inserted ginger into his anus as punishment for misbehaving at school. Initially, Aba Hagan denied the allegations but later admitted to using ginger as a disciplinary measure. According to reports, she justified her actions by stating that this was a customary punishment in her home country of Ghana.
This practice, known to some Ghanaian families, involves inserting ginger into the vagina or anus to create a burning sensation, which is believed to instill a lesson in the punished individual. However, in the United States, such actions are considered child abuse and are punishable by law.
One individual present at the apartment at the time confirmed knowledge of this practice from Africa but emphasized that it is unacceptable in the U.S. and had warned Aba Hagan against it. The boy was evaluated by doctors and later taken to Manchester Memorial Hospital. A report of suspected child abuse was subsequently forwarded to the state Department of Children and Families.
Aba Hagan now faces four counts of child abuse and could be subject to severe penalties under U.S. law. This case serves as a critical reminder to individuals from different cultural backgrounds that certain practices may not be tolerated in other parts of the world and can lead to serious legal consequences.
For anyone living abroad, especially in countries like the U.S., it is essential to be aware of and adhere to local laws regarding child discipline to avoid similar situations.
