My husband family have not been fair to me

Dear Obaa Yaa,

I was 22 when Kofi and I got married.  For 30 years we have toiled together.  

As part of our hustling, Kofi my husband left for his ‘troski’ business at 4am while I cooked kenkey and sold it by the roadside. Every cedi that didn’t go to food went into a ‘Susu’ box under our bed.  

We decided to build a house together. I carried water for the mortar. Kofi mixed it. We bought cement in bits. First the foundation, then the block house with four rooms and a shop downstairs.

Though we couldn’t make babies, Kofi loved me and gave me peace.

Kofi died out of stroke last year and life has not been easy.

One week after we buried him, his family members have come for the house and shop because we had no children together.

Yes, I had no child but I had blisters. I had receipts. I have 30 years of shared suffering and love. What should I do?

Afi, Ho

Dear Afi,

 Afi, I know this hurts deeply, but don’t leave your 30 years of toil to your husband’s family. Gather every proof you have- the receipts for cement and blocks, photos of you both building, ‘Susu’ records, and statements from neighbours or the mason who saw you work together. This shows ‘joint acquisition’ and the court will consider it. Under Ghana’s Intestate Succession Law, PNDC Law 111, you have rights even without children. You are entitled to household items, part of the estate, and a life interest in the house. Custom cannot erase that. Do not sign any paper Uncle Joe brings until a lawyer has read it.

Get help right away; don’t fight this alone. Go to Legal Aid Ghana for assistance. They offer free support for women in inheritance cases.  Talk to your pastor, counselor, or women’s group because this is grief on top of grief.