Obaa Yaa
He has broken my heart
Dear Obaa Yaa,
I am a Level 300 student in the university and started a relationship with a gentleman in October last year.
I was deeply involved with him to the extent that I thought I had found the ideal man I had prayed for and was not prepared to listen to anyone but was ready to spend the rest of my life with him.
This young man gave me the assurance that he was everything I needed in a relationship and was prepared to marry me.
Before reaching this decision, he introduced me to a couple of friends that I was the one he was going to marry and promised to take me to his parents. This gave me the impression that I was the only person in his life and that he will do everything to marry me.
Early this year, there were signs that our union was not on a sound footing because he received series of calls from a particular lady but he declined to pick the calls. Later he picked and promised to call the person later. This confirmed my fears that there was something wrong with our relationship.
My initial enquiries proved that he had somebody but he denied when I questioned him. It became clear that the nice bond of love that we claimed to have established was a stock pile of deceit.
I had the shock of my life when a close friend of his confirmed my fears that my lover has a two-year-old child.
Things became worse before April and we finally had to break up in May.
I never cheated on him but I love this guy and did everything to make him happy. What should I do now since my heart is broken?
Ama, Accra.
Dear Ama,
It is unfortunate that this gentleman has given you the false hope that he was going to marry you and the promise made you to put your trust in him.
Now that you know his character do not give him the opportunity to deceive you that it was a mistake.
Remember that this guy cannot be trusted because he has a child and was only making fun of you.
Thank God that the secret surrounding this gentleman has been revealed and you now know your stand.
Take heart and listen to what your conscience tells you. Re-organise your life and with time, you will definitely get your partner who will be faithful and love you. .
Dear Obaa Yaa,
I am a father of two children from my previous marriage.
Unfortunately, the marriage ended because of my ex-wife’s persistent toxic behaviour, which began to affect not only our business but also the emotional well-being of our children. Eventually, the court took notice of the situation and granted me full custody of the children, who are now 13 and 10 years old.
Since then, their mother has been largely absent from their lives. She barely checks on them and once told me, rather bluntly, “Since they mean more to you, don’t look for me again.”
I have done my best to raise them with love, stability, and a sense of security despite her absence.
Recently, I was given a life-changing opportunity to travel abroad for work, with the option to relocate with both children. As part of my preparation, I decided to conduct a DNA test, mainly for personal clarity.
The results have left me deeply shaken.
They revealed that my younger child is not biologically mine, while the older one is.
Now, I find myself in a difficult position. The company offering me employment has structured my benefits based on the number of dependents I declared. One of the children I have listed is, by blood, not mine.
I am confused, hurt, and unsure of the right thing to do both morally and practically.
Obaa Yaa, please, what should I do?
Kenneth, Koforidua.
Dear Kenneth
What you are facing goes beyond DNA. It is about the meaning of fatherhood. For 10 years, you have raised this child with love, care, and responsibility.
That bond is real, and the child is innocent in this situation.
Before making any decision, reflect on whether this new information will truly change how you see or treat the child who has always known you as their father.
On the practical side, consider the legal and employment implications carefully. Since you have full custody, both children are still legally your dependents, and many systems recognise guardianship, not just biology.
However, it would be wise to quietly review your employment terms or seek legal advice to ensure that you are not unintentionally putting yourself at risk, especially with relocation abroad.
Ultimately, this decision is about both compassion and responsibility. Think about the emotional impact on the children and whether separating them would do more harm than good. You have an opportunity to shape their future. Approach it with both wisdom and heart, taking time to decide what kind of father you want to continue to be.
Dear Obaa Yaa,
I am a 19-year-old girl living with my father in Accra. About two years ago, my father made sexual advances toward me. Since then, he has continued to harass me, but I have always refused.
I reported the issue to my mother, who lives in the village. However, when I returned to Accra, my father continued his behaviour. Last year, he told me that if I agreed to sleep with him, he would give me anything I wanted.
About six months ago, around midnight, he came to me and said he wanted to marry me because he found me very beautiful and did not want any other man to have me.
I feel deeply disturbed and angry. The thought of this is unbearable, and I have even considered taking my own life because marrying my father is a taboo.
Baaba, Nungua.
Dear Baaba,
Please do not harm yourself. You have done nothing wrong, and you do not deserve this. The person at fault is your father, and he must be held accountable for his actions.
I strongly advise that you leave your father’s house immediately. Do not allow him to stop you. If you have nowhere else to stay, go to your mother in the village for now.
Speak honestly with your mother about what has been happening. Together, inform trusted members of both your father’s and your mother’s families. A family meeting should be arranged so your father can be confronted about his behaviour.
If he denies the allegations, shows no remorse, or threatens you at any point, you must report the matter to the police without delay.
If you return to Accra in the future, do not live with your father again. During the family discussions, arrangements should also be made to ensure your father continues to support you financially until you are able to care for yourself independently.
