News
80-year-old victim advises: Don’t endure abusive relationships for the sake of children
An 80-year-old divorced woman has advised people in abusive relationship not to use their children as “an excuse to continue the relationship”.
“I often hear people say they have decided to endure because of their children but that is very wrong because if you die who would take care of the children you claim to be sacrificing for” she questioned.
Sharing her experience as a victim of an abusive marriage, she said interestingly she was married to a church leader who was a good man in the eyes of the public so no one believed or would have believed that she was going through a bad situation.
She said when it was time to leave she did not discuss it with anyone apart from her adult children and this she considers as one of the best decisions she made even after decades.
“People were disappointed in me but I always asked myself who was being abused? It was me so why did I have to continue the relationship to please anyone? Thankfully, I still had my room in my late father’s house so I moved in and that was the end of the story” she disclosed.
In an interview with The Spectator, the divorcee and retired dressmaker (pleading anonymity) said she felt obliged to advise victims of abusive relationships especially women because she found it heartbreaking to see innocent children being exposed to frequent abuse in the home which could affect them psychologically.
” These children will not appreciate your so called sacrifice in future. They may not tell you how they feel but I bet you they would wish you had left. Violence is not good for children. It might make them become abusers in future, feel traumatised or lose their confidence “she said.
The dressmaker said in her case, her ex husband was more verbally abusive and occasionally abused her physically but with time she felt she was not good enough as a woman because she had lost her confidence.
The Octogenarian said it was worth noting that some men moved on after the death of the women they abused without giving it a second thought, therefore, making the actions of the victims who endured the abuse unreasonable.
“You should remember that anytime he hits you, you are compromising your life and gradually you could die and leave your poor children alone in this world, ” she said.
She said it was always better for a woman to quit a marriage or relationship for the sake of mental health and future of the children because abusive people hardly changed.
She said she had heard people say they would have no place to go should they leave their partners and described such statement as lame excuse.
“You came from somewhere so there should be a place you could go back to. Even if your family and friends would not accept you, try moving into an uncompleted house or somewhere no one would be a threat to your life” she advised.
The Divorcee said there were instances some women left their marriage to hustle and came back for their children when conditions improved to cater for them as single parents.
“Other times you have to leave with your children. Trust God to take care of you. Under no circumstance should you stay and die a needless death in a relationship”, she cautioned.
She advised victims of abusive relationships “to always ensure they save some money to take care of themselves for days or weeks if they have to leave while they try to rebuild their lives”.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema.
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has temporarily suspended all date of birth changes on the Ghana Card across the country.
The suspension takes effect from Monday, November 9, 2026, and will remain in force until further notice.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Authority said the decision followed a review of its date of birth update process, which revealed the need for stronger safeguards.
The NIA said it was engaging key institutions, including the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the Births and Deaths Registry, to strengthen the guidelines for processing such requests.
It explained that the consultations were aimed at ensuring a transparent, credible and standardised system for handling date of birth changes.
During the suspension, no new applications for date of birth changes will be accepted or processed at any NIA office nationwide. Requests already being processed will also not be approved.
The Authority said it would notify the public once the consultations were completed and the revised guidelines were ready.
It apologised for any inconvenience caused and appealed to the public for understanding and cooperation.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Judicial Service of Ghana has announced the suspension of the industrial action by the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) and the Senior Staff Association of the Judicial Service of Ghana (SSAJUG).
In a press release dated November 9, 2026, the Judicial Service said the decision followed productive discussions between the leadership of the two associations and management, resulting in a mutual understanding.
It has consequently directed all staff to resume work with immediate effect, with courts across the country expected to resume normal sittings on Tuesday, November 10.
The Service expressed regret over the disruption caused by the strike and apologised to President John Dramani Mahama, the Executive arm of government, the Speaker of Parliament and Members of Parliament, the legal profession and the general public.
It particularly apologised to court users who experienced inconvenience during the industrial action.
The Judicial Service reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the smooth and timely delivery of justice and thanked stakeholders for their patience and understanding as efforts continue towards a lasting resolution of the issues raised.
By: Jacob Aggrey
