Obaa Yaa
My MoMo account is empty
Dear Obaa Yaa,
I always wish a happy new year to a couple of friends. This has become a tradition not because of the gains I get from them but rather these friends are very supportive and I always want to appreciate their gestures.
Interestingly, any time I call or send those wishes, they will ask whether my telephone number was still registered with Mobile Money (MoMo), which I always respond in the affirmative with smiles. Then after some few minutes, my message tones will beep with a MoMo alert.
I sent messages last year but the response was “Many Happy Returns.”
I am confused because up till now, they are yet to ask whether my contact is registered ‘MoMo-wise.’
I feel like asking why they have failed to perform that yearly ritual because something tells me all is not well with them. May be through that I will know whether they are facing financial challenges where I can be of help to them.
Should I proceed with my plan?
Max Quarmyne, Ablekuma
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Dear Quarmyne,
There could be various reasons for their inability to send you money this year. They could be facing some economic challenges or other unforeseen circumstances.
It is also possible that they have forgotten.
I would advise you to stop relying on your friends and having high expectations of them. Instead, place your trust in God. As the Bible says, “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength, and whose heart turns away from the Lord.”
Also, I would urge you to find something to do to support yourself financially in order to avoid feeling so disappointed in case they do not deliver as they did this year.
I am in my final year in the university. My elder sister has been very supportive after the death of our parents.
My sister has a boyfriend who visits often. Anytime he comes around, she wonders why I don’t entertain him and why I suddenly find an excuse to leave the room. She takes it as me being cold, even jealous, and it angers her more than I can even imagine.
She has no idea about what is going on behind her back. He has asked me out on several occasions and looks at me in a lustful manner.
But my problem is that I never told my sister the real reason I avoid her boyfriend. I have kept my distance, not out of hate for her or for him, but because I carry a secret that would break her heart.
Princess, Tema.
Dear Princess,
Why are you keeping this away from your sister? As long as you continue to live under the same roof with your sister, tell her about her boyfriend’s behaviour.
Have you by any chance confided in any relative? I’ll advise you to open up to someone, at least to take the weight off your shoulder.
Act fast before the situation exacerbates.
Dear Obaa Yaa,
I am a young lady of 23 years who lives in a compound house around Kasoa in the Central Region. I live with my auntie.
We are not always at home because she spends most of the time at the market due to her business, and I am mostly on campus.
One sunny afternoon, I overheard some tenants talking about another who takes her bath in a basin and throws the water away. We have two big bathrooms, but just because she doesn’t want to scrub, she has refused to bathe there.
Although she is usually not around due to her work as a nurse, it doesn’t warrant her to do as she pleases. We have spoken to the landlord about it, but she seems unconcerned. What should I do?
Beatrice, Accra
Dear Beatrice,
I am surprised that your landlord seems unperturbed.
Have you considered having a conversation with the tenant to find out why she ignores the chores? She does not seem bothered about the kind of perception the other tenants have about her.
Why would a young lady who is a nurse and an advocate for healthy living be this lazy and unconcerned about her surroundings?
No excuse should be tolerated just because she’s a nurse and mostly not around.
