Family in Weija-Gbawe rescued after years of using faeces and urine as ‘spices’ to cook

A disturbing humanitarian situation has come to light in Bulemi Top, a community within the Weija-Gbawe Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, where a 56-year-old woman and her two children have reportedly lived under extreme and troubling conditions for more than five years.

The family, residing in an uncompleted building, had adopted unconventional and unsafe practices in their daily survival, raising serious public health and mental health concerns.

The case first gained national attention after journalist Akua Sarpomaa of 3News visited the family on March 20, 2026.

Her report revealed that the mother, identified as Leticia Okine, had been using unconventional substances, faeces and urine in food preparation.

According to her account during the interview, she believed these practices improved the taste and quality of their meals. Bottles believed to contain stored liquid substances were found in their living space, which she claimed were used both for cooking and other domestic purposes.

The living conditions of the family painted a grim picture of neglect and isolation.

The uncompleted structure they occupied lacked basic amenities, exposing them to harsh environmental conditions. Observations from the report indicated that the family had been cut off from mainstream community life for years, with the children also out of school throughout this period.

Community members expressed concern over the prolonged situation. A neighbour, Ato Quansah, who also serves as Chairman of the local Landlords Association, disclosed that the family had lived in the area for a long time.

He noted that the children’s father had reportedly left the household after observing what he described as a change in the mother’s behaviour.

According to him, efforts to intervene at the community level had not yielded results, prompting calls for urgent state assistance.

Following the widespread attention generated by the report, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, intervened by visiting the family alongside the journalist. The minister confirmed the situation and immediately initiated steps to provide medical and social support.

She indicated that the immediate priority was to address the health needs of the family while conducting further assessments to determine long-term interventions.

The family was subsequently transported to the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Hospital for initial medical evaluation, with plans to continue treatment at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital. Authorities believe that the situation may be linked to underlying mental health challenges, although detailed assessments are ongoing.