Features
Male or Female?
Imagine God appearing suddenly to you and asking you whether you would like him to change you into the opposite sex. What will be your response?
In a home where the family is made up of boys and girls, the argument about which group i.e. males or females have the easier tasks ultimately leads to the boys wishing they were girls and girls wishing they were boys.
In a typical Ghanaian setting which is not a middle income home, the choice will be driven by the specific job the parents do for a living.
Again, it will also depend on whether it is in a village setting or a town setting. I am under no illusions that if you are a boy in a village, you would not think twice in asking God to transform you into a girl.
Society since the days of Adam, has been fashioned to prepare males for tedious work. Jobs that require lifting of heavy items are the preserve of men which is a natural occurrence, due to the natural physique of men.
There are a few exceptions of course where some women have been observed to have even beaten their husbands.
Being a provider for the family is a huge responsibility and it is something that most men given the opportunity, will wish it were shifted to their wives but you cannot eat your cake and have it.
When the children do well in school, the credit automatically goes to the men even though the mental capacity exhibited by the children, could be traced to their mothers. Some men are as dull as they come.
At the physiological level, I believe a lot of females would wish they were males. At a certain age, girls begin to menstruate and this will happen every month until they reach age 50 on the average if my biology teacher did not give me wrong information.
During this time there are complications with some women experiencing pain in their bodies, not to mention the psychological pressure it brings to bear on the girls and women.
In certain societies and even in some religious organisations, females are considered to be unclean during menstruation period.
In certain sporting activities, sports women are not able to participate due to their inability to be 100 percent psychologically fit as a result of their being in that period of menstruation.
Let us consider the issue of child bearing and if you consider the agony women go through from conception till delivery, I believe I can boldly say that no man will have the desire to be transformed into a woman.
It is true that men also have an issue when it comes to circumcision and again I believe that if that is the only consideration then boys and adult males will be in a rush to change their sex status because if you go through the pain of cutting and the hot water treatment of the sore, the rush to transform from male to female, if the exercise were to be repeated at some point in their lives, is a forgone conclusion.
However, there is an aspect of child bearing that if considered, no man will ever rush to be transformed into a woman, given the opportunity. If men were the ones who give birth, most homes and therefore families will have only one child, I can guarantee that.
The agony women go through during delivery is out of this world.
The story is told of a renowned man of God in Ghana who nearly collapsed, when he wanted to behave like a Caucasian and went to witness the delivery of his baby by his wife.
A friend openly confessed in church that he was in tears as he heard the screams of her wife during delivery. If God were to put the question to me, I would kindly and politely say no.
The abuse some women go through at the hands of some insane husbands makes the idea of transforming into a woman highly unattractive to me.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
In recent years, the term “female rage” has gained significant traction, symbolising a collective shift in how women’s emotions are perceived and addressed.
This phenomenon is not merely a fleeting trend but a profound movement rooted in centuries of systemic injustices, personal betrayals, and societal expectations.
As women increasingly reclaim their anger, it is imperative to understand the multifaceted nature of female rage, its causes, and its implications for individuals and society at large.
The historical context of female anger
Historically, women’s emotions have been subject to dismissal, ridicule, and pathologisation. The term “hysteria,” originating from the Greek word for uterus, was used to describe women’s emotional states as irrational and uncontrollable.
This legacy of silencing and shaming has contributed to a culture where women’s anger is often suppressed or stigmatised.
However, with the rise of feminist movements, women are challenging these narratives, asserting their right to express anger and demand change.
The anatomy of female rage
Female rage is not a monolith; it is a complex and multifaceted emotion driven by various factors, including:
1. Societal expectations: The pressure to conform to traditional roles of passivity, politeness, and emotional labour.
2. Gender inequality and pay gaps: Frustration stemming from systemic discrimination in the workplace and beyond.
3. Sexual harassment and abuse: Trauma and anger resulting from pervasive violence and objectification.
4. Emotional labour and burnout: The unsustainable burden of managing emotions and responsibilities in personal and professional spheres.
5. Hormonal fluctuations: The impact of hormonal changes on emotional states, often overlooked or dismissed.
The power of anger: Reclaiming female rage
Far from being a destructive force, female rage can be a catalyst for change. When acknowledged and channelled constructively, anger can drive advocacy, policy reform, and resistance against inequality.
The #MeToo movement, women’s marches, and increased representation in politics are testaments to the power of collective female anger.
Addressing the Stigma: Towards a more inclusive dialogue
To fully harness the potential of female rage, society must address the stigma surrounding women’s anger. This involves:
1. Validation and recognition: Acknowledging women’s emotions as legitimate and worthy of attention.
2. Creating safe spaces: Providing platforms for women to express anger without fear of backlash.
3. Education and awareness: Challenging stereotypes and promoting understanding of women’s experiences.
4. Support systems: Offering resources and support for women dealing with trauma and systemic injustices.
Conclusion
The age of female rage is a moment of profound transformation, where women’s anger is no longer silenced but celebrated as a force for justice.
By understanding the roots of female rage and addressing the societal structures that fuel it, we can move towards a more equitable and compassionate world.
The journey is complex, but the destination-a society where women’s emotions are respected and their voices are heard is worth the struggle.
References:
[1] Chemudupati, P. (2022). _The Rage of Women: A Historical Perspective_.
[2] Traister, R. (2018). _Good and Mad:
By Robert Ekow Grimond-Thompson
Features
From panic to pass: how parents, teachers can help children beat BECE, WASSCE exam phobia- Part 1
Walk through any Junior High or Senior High compound in Ghana as BECE or WASSCE approaches and you will see it.
A bright girl suddenly quiet. A boy who led class debates now sleeping at his desk. A Form three student with stomach pains every Monday morning.
This is not laziness. This is academic stress. When left unaddressed, it hardens into exam phobia-overwhelming dread that pushes children into burnout, avoidance, and sometimes silence.
As a mental health professional who sits with these children and their parents at Counselor Prince & Associates Consult (CPAC) in Adenta Oyarifa-Teiman, I see the pattern clearly.
Research confirms it. Putwain and Daly (2014) found that high test anxiety predicts lower grades independent of ability. Zeidner (1998) showed that chronic academic pressure raises cortisol, weakens memory recall, and increases school dropout risk. The brain under fear cannot retrieve what it studied.
Understanding the storm: What academic stress really looks like
Exam phobia is not just “being nervous.” It shows up as headaches before mocks, sudden anger when books are mentioned, night-time insomnia, or perfectionism that ends in blank scripts.
Some children over-study until 2 a.m. and forget everything by 9 a.m. Others avoid books completely, scrolling phones instead. Both are distress signals. Dr Kenneth Ginsburg, a paediatrician specialising in adolescent resilience, notes: “Stress is not the enemy; feeling alone with stress is.” Too many Ghanaian children feel alone with it.
The home front: How parents and couples become safe havens, not extra pressure
The first antidote is at home. Structure beats shouting. Set a predictable study slot-same time, same place, with water and a light snack. Then protect sleep like you protect school fees. A tired brain fails faster than an unprepared one. Use the “15-minute start rule”: “Just sit for 15 minutes. If you still can’t, we close and try after a walk.” Often, starting is the hardest part.
Couples must watch their language. “Don’t disgrace us” plants fear. Replace it with “We see your effort. What part feels hardest today?” Praise process, not only position: “You revised three topics and asked for help—that is maturity.” Research by Dweck (2006) confirms that process praise builds resilience while outcome praise increases anxiety.
For caregivers, check your own anxiety. Children borrow our nervous system. If BECE makes you panic, they will panic. One parent grounds—keeps meals, prayer, and bedtime steady. The other pivots—talks to teachers, adjusts timetables, arranges counselling. Both protect rest. An empty cup cannot pour calm.
Resources
– Counsellor Prince & Associates Consult (CPAC): Award-winning Clinical Mental Health and Counselling Facility, accredited by the Ghana Psychology Council.
– School-Based Support: Speak to Guidance & Counselling units, or licensed school counsellors. E.g. Counsellor Blessing Offei – 0559850604 (School Counsellor).
– Contact CPAC for Parent Coaching/Counselling & Student Therapy: 055 985 0604 / 055 142 8486
