The Tarkwa Circuit Court has sentenced a 32-year-old Nigerian national for trafficking young women into Ghana and engaging them in prostitution.
The convict, Patience Gold, popularly known as Madam Gold, was sentenced to 20 years into prison custody on four counts; human trafficking, illegal abortion, assault, and prostitution.
Presiding Judge Hathia Ama Manu presented the court document filed by the state, briefing that the accused unlawfully prepared a herbal concoction and aided one of her victims in terminating a pregnancy.
On the charge of human trafficking, she received a 20-year sentence; five years for illegal abortion; and two months each for assault and prostitution.
The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning Madam Gold will serve a maximum term of 20 years in prison.
Facts of the Case
Presenting the facts, Assistant Superintendent of Police Samuel Ahiabor told the court that on March 22 and 27, 2025, the convict trafficked four young women from Benue State, Nigeria, to Ghana under the pretext of offering them jobs as bar attendants at her drinking spot in Asankra-Moscaso. Upon arrival, however, she forced them into prostitution.
Fearing for their lives, the victims engaged in prostitution, with the proceeds being collected by the convict. The court also heard that one of the victims informed Gold she was already pregnant before arriving in Ghana.
“The victims refused to work, and the accused forcibly and under duress shaved their pubic hair, removed their fingernails, and made them swear an oath that if they failed to work as commercial sex workers to repay the money she claimed to have spent on them, they would go mad,” the prosecutor stated.
The prosecution continued that on March 28, 2025, the convict administered a herbal concoction to the victim and illegally terminated the pregnancy.
In a related development, on March 12, 2025, a different victim fell ill and sought medical attention but was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.
“She was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. The convict, knowing her medical status and fearing she would not be patronised in Asankra-Moscaso when the news became public, moved her to a different location to continue the prostitution, and continued to collect the proceeds.”
On March 25, 2025, Gold reportedly visited the new location to collect proceeds and was given GH¢300. Dissatisfied with the amount, she assaulted the victim, causing facial injuries.
“She also seized the victim’s HIV/AIDS medication supplied by the hospital and left,” the prosecutor added.
The victim, considering her injuries, informed the other victims, who reported the matter to the Asankrangwa Police Station along with the ordeal they were going through.
The police reacted swiftly, leading to the arrest of Patience Gold and her subsequent prosecution at the Tarkwa Circuit Court.
