Mónica Fernandes was a Ghanaian-born woman who was transported from Ghana to Portugal in 1556 to face trial before the Portuguese Inquisition.
According to The Conversation, this was because Mónica, an Akan woman born to Akan parents, sought a local remedy from a traditional healer, known in local parlance as an okomfuo or odunsinni, after suffering a cat bite.
However, Mónica's attempt to seek a local traditional remedy was perceived by the Portuguese as an act of witchcraft.
As a result, she was accused of practicing witchcraft and subsequently imprisoned.
