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The Big Catch – Part 2
A big catch
As soon as the taxi took off, Tamara started explaining how things went.
‘You see, Yooku, quite a number of people at the fishing harbour have noticed what has been going on with your crew, but they said that Sabina hardly spoke with them, apart from the odd greeting, so they kept their silence.
As for me, I started making friends the very day I started work, so I have been getting a lot of information. They stop at a spot some distance away from the landing bay, and sell the bulk of their fish to a couple of ladies, and come back to the landing bay to sell the little left.
My assistant has been observing them, so he knows the exact location. We should be there in good time to catch them right in the act’.
‘I am so grateful, Tamara. To think that these eight people have been stealing for so long’. ‘Their time is up now. From today they will be looking for another victim’.
As they got down from the taxi, Paa Kwesi, the assistant, came over to them. ‘We are in good time. The two ladies just got here, and are walking to meet them. They should land anytime from now. Let’s go by the side route. We will pounce on them without being seen’.
The boat landed, and the crew got down and pulled it close to shore, then some porters went with head pans and carried the big fish to shore. Egya Amo, the captain, negotiated the price with the ladies, and as one of them was handing over the money to him, Tamara called from close by.
‘Egya Amo! Ayekoo! Is this where you sell our fish, you thief? The owner of the boat, who toiled and put it to sea, has determined a place for you to land, but you and your fellow thieves have chosen your own place, eh? Madam, give me the money, and take the fish away. Now, Egya Amo, leave here with your men before I call the police’.
‘Madam, can we go and collect our things?’ ‘No. Leave or I call the police. You have stolen from us for so long. Your things in the boat have no value compared to what you have stolen. Go and find another victim’. As they walked away, one of the ladies moved over to Tamara.
‘Madam, as for me, I buy fish from anyone offering it for sale. I did not know that the fish did not belong to them. I am ready to buy from you when you get a new crew’.
‘No problem. You can take my number and call me in a week. I would have got a new set of people. As long as you offer me fair prices, I am ready to do business with you’.
‘Wow, Tamara’, Yooku said as they sat in the taxi, ‘I don’t know how to thank you. I had virtually given up any hope of making any money from this business’.
‘You made a massive investment in it, and it is most unfair that you were treated this way. After recruiting your set of workers, you should also monitor them to know what they are doing. It seems that many people knew what was going on in your boat, except you. That must change. We must stay on top of the game. So in the next few days, let’s find another crew, and get them to start work. This is a good season, so we must take full advantage’.
After the new crew was recruited, Tamara went over to Yooku’s place every Sunday after church to report on the week’s business. Yooku bought her a car to make her work easier, and also as reward for her loyalty.
One morning, Pa John called to inform Yooku that Sabina and Tamara, whose applications Yooku had submitted to the bank, had been invited for interview. Sabina was thrilled to hear the news, and after thanking Yooku profusely, she called Tamara to discuss how to prepare. To her surprise, Tamara did not express much interest in the job, even though she said she would attend the interview. Sabina was even more surprised when she did not show up on the day, so she went over to her place.
‘Tamara, what’s happening? Why did you not show up at the interview? Are you telling me that you are not interested in the bank job?’ ‘Before I answer you, Sabina, tell me how it went’. ‘I think Yooku’s friend Pa John had already pulled a few strings, because they asked me to start next week.
They are opening a new department to handle remittances by Ghanaians abroad who are making various investments. We start the orientation next Monday, and we start work the following week. But I’m very curious, Tamara, why are you not taking up such a juicy offer? Apart from the attractive pay, there are good career prospects. So tell me your reason’. ‘Actually, the simple reason is that Yooku is offering me a good package for managing his business’.
‘Did I hear you right, Tamara? Is something wrong with you? Have you forgotten that I was doing that very job, and I quit because it was not going anywhere? And you agreed to take it on whilst waiting for something to happen. Now a big opportunity has opened up, and you are telling me you will stick to that useless job? What do your parents say about this? You really shock me, Tamara. We have been friends for many years, so it is my duty to help you avoid such madness’.
‘Sabina, I know you mean well, but I’m sure you also know that I’m not one to engage in anything without clearly thinking about it. Yes, I have discussed it with my parents, and they are solidly behind me’.
‘I’m going home. If I stay longer I will say something really bad. See you later’. Tamara walked her outside, and as she walked towards the gate, Sabina noticed the car. ‘By the way, has your dad got a new car? I like the colour. And it’s a Toyota. Wow’. ‘Actually, its mine. Yooku bought it for me, in appreciation of my efforts’.
‘I don’t believe it. Listen Tamara, I believe Yooku has conned you with some sweet words and actions. I left the guy because both my parents felt he was a loser, without any direction. Remember? And you are telling me he has bought you a car? I hope the scales fall from your eyes very soon’. With that she stormed out of the gate.
When Abigail Fremah steps up to the Armwrestling table, the noise fades, the tension settles, and order takes over.
Despite a calm, but firm and meticulous disposition, she has become one of the quiet forces shaping Ghana’s growing reputation in the sport, not as an athlete, but a referee trusted on the continental stage.
Abigail’s journey into Armwrestling did not begin at the table. Like many Ghanaian sports enthusiasts, she grew up playing several disciplines. Football was her first love, but she also featured in volleyball and basketball during her school years. Sports, she says, was simply a way of life not just for her.
“It runs through the family. All my siblings are into sports,” she stated.
“I was involved in almost every sport in school, football, volleyball, netball, hockey; I did everything,” she recalls.
Her academic background in Health, Physical Education and Recreation laid a solid foundation for her sporting career. While on scholarship at the university (University of Cape Coast), she often used her modest budget to support young athletes, sometimes sharing skills and even T-shirts at programmes she attended. Giving back, she explains, has always been part of her motivation.
However, as she matured as an athlete, Abigail made a critical self-assessment.
“Armwrestling involves a lot of strength,” she admits. “Looking at my body type, I realised I couldn’t fit properly as a competitive athlete.”
That moment of honesty pushed her to a different trajectory but equally important path in sports; which is officiating.
During her National Service, she was encouraged by Mr Charles Osei Asibey, the President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), to consider officiating. He introduced her to a technical official, Mr Hussein Akuerteh Addy, who formally took her through the basics of Armwrestling officiating in 2021.
“I started as a case official,” she says. “We moved from region to region every week, officiating competitions. That’s where it all began.”
By 2022, Abigail was actively involved in national assignments, though she missed the African Championship that year. Her breakthrough came in 2023, when Ghana hosted the African Armwrestling Championship.
It was her first experience officiating at a major international competition and it changed everything.
“That was my first national and international exposure at the same time,” she says. “It really opened my eyes.”
Today, Abigail is a World Junior Armwrestling Referee, a status earned through performance, consistency and discipline. She explains that progression in officiating was not automatic.
“It’s all about performance, your appearance at African Championships, your conduct, how you handle pressure; that’s what takes you to the world level,” she stressed.
As a referee, Abigail’s priority is safety and fairness. Armwrestling, she notes, comes with risks, particularly injuries to the wrists, elbows, shoulders and arms.
“If athletes don’t follow the rules or refuse to listen to officials, injuries can happen,” she explains, adding that focus was everything.
Before every match, she ensures that all equipment which includes elbow pads, hand pegs and table alignment were properly set. Athletes are not allowed to cover their elbows, must grip correctly, and must follow the referee’s commands precisely.
“We make sure everything is fixed before the grip,” she says. “Once we say ‘Ready… Go’, there should be no confusion.”
She is also firm on discipline. Warnings are issued for infractions, and repeated misconduct attracts penalties.
“The referee must be respected, if you don’t listen, the rules will deal with you,” she says.
Abigail credits her confidence partly to her sporting family background. Her mother was a volleyball player, while other family members also participated in sports. Though they were initially concerned about her safety, her rise to the top reassured them.
“They were afraid at first,” she admits. “But they were also very proud, especially because some of them never got the opportunity to reach this level.”
Looking ahead, Abigail is optimistic about the future of Armwrestling in Ghana. In less than a decade, the country has produced African and world-level medalists, a sign, she believes, of great things to come for Ghana.
“Whenever we go out, we come back with medals such as gold and silver,” she says, and to her that was a sign of growth.
In the next five to ten years, Abigail sees herself rising to become a World Master Referee, the highest officiating level in the sport. Until then, her routine remains intense, training four times a week, working closely with athletes, standing on her feet for hours, and constantly refining her understanding of the rules.
“I love this sport,” she says simply. “That love is what keeps me going.”
Abigail encouraged women to be bold and intentional about their place in sports saying “don’t limit yourself because of fear or stereotypes.”
She also urged women to invest in learning, discipline and consistency, stressing that respect was earned through performance.
For Abigail, as Ghana’s armwrestlers continue to make their mark, she will remain where she is most effective at the table, ensuring the game is played right.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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As he had promised Aperkeh, the elderly man and his wife and three daughters stopped by Aperkeh’s parents’ house. Mr Amando and his family were preparing to settle in for the night.
“Brother Ben and family”, Mr Joshua Amando said warmly, “although I know you are here on a matter that can hardly be described as joyous, it is still good to see you. You are welcome. Please sit down while I bring you water”.
“Yes, we will take water, even though we are hardly thirsty, because this is our home”.
“Okay, Ben”, he started after they had drank, “Let me go straight to the point. My daughter Priscilla has told me about the goings on between her brother Aperkeh and our daughter Stella.
Before informing me, Priscilla had expressed concern to Aperkeh about some habits he is adopting, especially the late nights and the drinking. She tells me that one Saturday morning, she was there when Stella complained about his drinking and some girls who had come to the house to look for him, and he assaulted her.
I called him and complained, but all he could say was that I don’t know what caused him to react that way, so I could not judge him. Now he does not answer my calls.
I have sent Priscilla to his house to call him, but he has refused to come. Unfortunately, Ben, my son is a much different person than the young boy who completed university and started work at the bank. I am really embarrassed about his treatment of Stella”.
“Joshua, let me assure you that even though what is happening is very unfortunate, it will not affect our relationship.
We have been friends since childhood, and I thought that with their parents’ blessing, the relationship between Aperkeh and Stella would grow to become a blessing to all of us. But there appears to be a real challenge now.
Stella thinks that Aperkeh wants her out of his house, and indeed Aperkeh himself told me that, about an hour ago.
So I’m taking my daughter home. I suggest that you do what you can to straighten him out, but if it does not work out, let’s accept the situation and continue to be one family.
I am sure that being the well behaved girl that she is, Stella will meet a young man who will cherish her. Fortunately, this problem is happening early in the day, so they can sort things out if possible, or move on with their lives if they are unable to stay together”.
“I’m really grateful for that, Ben. I will do my best in the next few days to reason with him, because apart from the relationship with Stella, Aperkeh is risking his job and career with this lifestyle.
A good job and salary offers an opportunity to gather momentum in life, not to destroy yourself”.
“Okay Brother Joshua. We will say goodnight. I hope to hear positive news from you”.
As he descended in the lift from the fourth to the ground floor, Aperkeh wondered who would be waiting at the reception to see him at nine on Monday morning. He had spent good time with both of his new girls during the weekend, so it had to be someone else. He got out of the lift and pulled a face when he saw Priscilla.
“Priscilla”, he said as he sat down by her, “what do you want here? You know Monday morning is a busy time at the bank. I am a very busy person, so say what you want, I have work to do”.
“You are very funny, Aperkeh. You are telling me, your sister, that you have work to do, so I should hurry up? Okay, Dad says I should advise you to come home tonight, because he wants to discuss the issue of Stella with you. He sent me to you twice, and you did not come.
He has tried to call you quite a number of times, but you have refused to answer his calls. He says that if you do not come tonight, you will be very surprised at what he will do. He says you will not like it at all, so better come.
“What is all this? Why won’t you people leave me alone? Stella is very disrespectful. I told her that if she wanted to continue to live in my house, she must obey me. It is that simple.
She chose to continue ordering me about, controlling me in my own house, so I told her that if she could not live under my conditions she should leave. And she left. In fact, her own father came and took her away. So what again?’’
“How did she disobey or control you? Was she complaining about your continuous drinking and late nights? And did you slap her on several occasions because of that? Did you tell her that if she could not live under your conditions she should leave? You actually said that to her father? You have forgotten that before she came to live with you, our two parents met and agreed, and gave it their blessing?’
“Why don’t you leave, Priscilla? I don’t have to listen to all that”. “Okay, I will go. Your father who gave birth to you and educated you to university level sends me to you, and you ask me to leave? I wish you would defy him, and refuse to come home as he’s telling you, because he is planning to give you the discipline you badly need. Let me tell you. Stella is such a beautiful and decent girl, and I assure you that someone will grab her before you say Jack. You are only 30 years old, and you have already become a drunkard”.
As he walked towards the lift, Aperkeh decided on what to do. He would go home, and calmly listen to what his father had to say. The old man was very unpredictable, and he wouldn’t dare ignore him. So he would take all the insults and threats, but as for Stella she was history. According to Priscilla, Stella was beautiful and all that, but she had not seen the two curvaceous princesses who were all over him, ready to do anything he asked. And these were not barely literate waakye girls, but university graduates from wealthy homes, really classy girls. With stuff like that, who needs a waakye girl? He smiled as he took his seat.
A few minutes to five, Aperkeh was packing up to leave for home to meet his dad when his phone rang. It was Priscilla.
“Aperkeh, Dad says you don’t need to bother to come. Stella’s dad says she came to him early this morning to plead that she would rather stay at home than return to your house. She thinks you are already decided to be rid of her, and she does not want to risk being assaulted again. So it’s done. You can go ahead and enjoy the nice life you have started”.
Before he could tell her to go to hell, Priscilla hanged up the line. He was partially stung that his dad had virtually cut him off. The last thing anyone would want was to fall out of relationship with his own family, which had always supported him.
But the truth was he was no longer interested in Stella. What was wrong with going by one’s feelings? He could only hope that one day, his parents and sister would try to reason with him.
By Ekow de Heer
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