Features
Odartey’s marital saga: Is it the case of ‘fear women’?
Many Ghanaians are still expressing ‘hot’ anger over the contents of Gloria Appiah’s writs attempting to claim substantial part of her former husband’s cash and properties.
‘Unfortunately’ , some Ghanaians including some women, also describe the conduct of Gloria Appiah, per her writs, in unprintable phrases while others simply say, she exhibits traces of ‘stupidity’ and ‘shamelessness’.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines ‘shamelessness’ as, insensible to disgrace and having no shame.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary calls a shameless person, audacious, bold, brash, brazen, unprincipled, outrageous and immodest.
Wikipedia also defines ‘stupidity’ as, a behaviour that shows a lack of good sense or judgement. Synonyms for stupidity include, absurdity, silliness, idiocy, foolishness and asininity.
Readers, who is Gloria Appiah? She is the former wife of Ghana’s football icon, Nii Odartey Lamptey.
Reportedly, the Supreme Court on 2nd March, 2022, upheld an earlier Appeal Court decision ordering Gloria Appiah to vacate Odartey Lamptey’s seven-bedroom house located at East Legon in Accra.
Odartey says:” I have been in a rented accommodation in Accra for so many years now since the first court ruling, while my ex-wife is still living in my seven-bedroom house , in addition to the four-bedroom house she has been given by the court.”
Odartey adds:”Sometimes , I shed tears in pain when I’m alone in my room.”
Records indicate that in September 2013, Gloria Appiah filed a writ at an Accra High Court asking the court to dissolve the marriage between her and Odartey Lamptey.
In the writ, Gloria Appiah stated that her marriage with Odartey had irreparably broken down due to the violent behaviour of her husband.
She accused Odartey of subjecting her and her children to grave emotional and psychological abuse, besides having extra-marital affairs.
Gloria Appiah told the court that she could no longer live with her husband because of his constant false accusations of adultery against her.
Consequently, she asked the court to order Odartey to pay her a lump sum of GH¢ 500,000.
She again urged the court to equitably divide or distribute a number of landed properties and cash in various bank accounts of Odartey.
In response to Gloria Appiah’s writ, Odartey accepted the fact that the marriage had broken down beyond reconciliation.
He, however, laid the blame on the infidelity of Gloria Appiah and supported his claim with a DNA report on paternity test , which confirmed that he was not the father of all the three children of the 25-year-old marriage.
In its ruling on 14th June, 2017, the High Court established the fact that the marriage had, indeed, broken down beyond reconciliation.
The court established that the three children of the marriage were not the biological children of Odartey.
The court then ordered Odartey to pay GH¢ 200,000 to Gloria Appiah as financial settlement, besides giving her a- four-bedroom house at Dome in Accra and two vehicles.
For Odartey himself, the court gave him back his seven-bedroom house.
According to court records, Gloria Appiah disagreed to the decision of the High Court and moved upstairs to the Court of Appeal.
She urged the Court of Appeal to rule that she did not engage in adultery, regarding the conception of the three children of the marriage, insisting that Odartey was very much aware that “the children were not his biological child
urged the Appeal Court to re-examine the distribution of the properties as per the High Court ruling.
The Court of Appeal stated that the alleged adultery of Gloria Appiah was not a factor in determining the equities of the case.
Nonetheless, the Court of Appeal said, due regard must be given to the fact that Odartey was not the biological father of the three children and had expended huge sums of money on them over the 21 years of marriage; providing food, shelter and education, besides being with him as he worked and travelled to Holland, Belgium, Italy and the United Kingdom, attending private schools.
On whether Gloria Appiah committed adultery, the Court of Appeal stated that “the Petitioner (Gloria Appiah) during cross examination insists that the children were conceived by a process other than sexual intercourse” with Odartey Lamptey.
However, she flatly refused to answer any further questions on how she conceived her children and told the court that she did not want to talk about the paternity of the children, claiming the issue was a very delicate one.
So, in effect, the fact that Gloria Appiah’s three children were conceived through adultery was not contradicted by her per any court record on evidence.
Gloria Appiah disregarded the ruling of the High Court and the Court of Appeal and refused to vacate Odartey’s seven-bedroom house after many years of the dissolution of the marriage by the court.
Public reaction on social media to the latest court ruling still in favour of Odartey Lamptey, has been spontaneous and acerbic.
Readers, let’s read a few of them: (1) “The fear of women is the beginning of knowledge; God is not a woman”. (2) “When Odartey’s wife meets Jezebel, what notes will they compare?” (3) “It’s not easy to win a fight with a woman, not any woman, but a Delilah kind of a woman.”(4) “With Odartey’s painful experience, ‘fear women’ must be a wake-up call for some Ghanaian men.”
Indeed, dear readers, with Odartey’s painful experience ; can it be said that unknowingly, many married men in Ghana are living with and looking after ‘sons and daughters’ who are sincerely not their biological children?
Readers, kindly examine the aforementioned ‘simple’ question and attempt to answer it.
My dear readers; I wish you happy, happy, happy EASTER celebration.
Contact email/ WhatsApp of the author:
asmahfrankg@gmail.com (0505556179)
By G. Frank Asmah
Introduction
In today’s fast-paced, high-achieving society, it’s common to glorify long hours and an unwavering commitment to one’s profession. However, when dedication turns into an obsession, it can have severe and far-reaching consequences.
Workaholism, a pattern of behavior characterised by excessive and compulsive work habits, is a complex and multifaceted issue that affects millions of people worldwide.
Defining workaholism: The Psychology behind the behavior
Workaholism is often driven by a combination of internal and external factors, including:
Internal Pressures:
Perfectionism: an unrelenting drive for flawlessness
Fear of failure: anxiety about not meeting expectations
Need for control: a desire to micromanage every aspect of work and life
External Pressures:
Job demands: high expectations from employers or clients
Organisational culture: a workplace environment that encourages or demands excessive work hours
Societal expectations: pressure to succeed and maintain a certain status
The health consequences: A growing concern
Prolonged workaholism can lead to a range of serious health issues, including:
1. Cardiovascular problems: hypertension, heart disease, and stroke due to chronic stress and neglect of physical health
2. Mental health concerns: anxiety, depression, and burnout, often exacerbated by lack of social support and self-care
3. Sleep disorders: insomnia, sleep deprivation, and related health issues, such as impaired cognitive function and mood disturbances
4. Immune system suppression: increased susceptibility to illnesses, such as colds, flu, and autoimmune diseases
5. Nutritional deficiencies: poor eating habits, weight changes, and related health problems, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease
The lethality risks: A hidden danger
In extreme cases, workaholism can have lethal consequences, including:
1. Sudden cardiac death: increased risk due to chronic stress, hypertension, and neglect of physical health
2. Suicide: work-related stress and pressure can contribute to suicidal ideation, particularly in individuals with underlying mental health conditions
3. Accidents and injuries: fatigue and decreased cognitive function increase the risk of workplace accidents and errors
The social and emotional toll: Relationships and identity
Workaholism can also have devastating effects on personal relationships and overall well-being, leading to:
1. Strained relationships: family, friends, and colleagues may feel neglected, abandoned, or resentful
2. Loss of personal identity: over-identification with work can lead to a loss of interests, hobbies, and sense of purpose outside of work
3. Decreased productivity: burnout and decreased motivation can result in reduced job performance and satisfaction
4. Impaired cognitive function: decreased creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities due to chronic stress and fatigue
Breaking the cycle: Strategies for recovery
Recognising the signs of workaholism is crucial to preventing its negative consequences. Strategies for overcoming workaholism include:
1. Setting boundaries: establishing a healthy work-life balance and prioritising self-care
2. Prioritising self-care: engaging in activities that promote physical and emotional well-being, such as exercise, meditation, and social connections
3. Seeking support: therapy, support groups, and social connections can provide emotional support and guidance
4. Re-evaluating priorities: reassessing values and goals to align with a more balanced and fulfilling life
Conclusion
Workaholism is a serious issue that can have severe and far-reaching consequences for individuals, organisations, and society as a whole. By acknowledging the risks and taking proactive steps to maintain a healthy work-life balance, we can mitigate the negative effects of workaholism and promote overall well-being.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
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How many times have we not made New Year resolutions but have not been able to achieve them?
When we are unable to achieve them we vow to ourselves that at the end of the year, we shall make proper New Year resolutions and this time we will make it happen only for the New Year to travel on and close to the end the story repeats itself.
A lot of people find themselves in this situation and if they were to rate their success, it may hover around 48 per cent. There is a popular quote that is generally attributed to Einstein that” Insanity, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
“A careful analysis will most likely reveal that, the discipline required to put in the required effort and the consistency required is absent in the execution phase of whatever plan has been put in place to realise the objectives.
Discipline according to the Oxford Dictionary is the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour, with punishment or other undesirable consequences for those failing to comply.
When we say someone is disciplined, what can be observed in his behaviour is consistency whether it is in connection with reporting for events on time, providing a particular service as promised on schedule etc.
In other words, that behaviour has become routine or has become a habit. If 2026 is going to be different from the previous years, as far as the achievement of New Year’s resolutions are concerned, then things must be done in a routine manner which will then ensure consistency.
If the resolution is say a closer walk with God by the end of the year for example, then the plan may be to sleep early enough and be able to wake up at say 5:00 am and pray and meditate on the Word of God.
This must be done every day, that is, you should have the discipline to make this routine behaviour which some people refer to as habit and that is what would ensure the realisation of your objective by the end of the year.
The question of how did you arrive at your new year’s resolution becomes very important. It brings in the God factor, which for me as a believer is very important because if you are say an Entrepreneur, then innovate ideas are what you need and according to Deuteronomy 8:18, innovative ideas to get wealth comes from God.
I believe that to be able to achieve our new year’s resolutions, we must approach them with a project management mindset. We should break the year into periods, either quarterly or monthly and evaluate our performance.
The end of the periods we have chosen should mark the achievement of certain goals or key milestones. This will reveal to us whether we are on track, whether we need to double up or there is the need to adjust certain things.
This year start looking at potential hindrances to the achievement of your resolutions. Check how much time you spend on social media for fun, like following the Akosua Serwaa and Odo Broni story and not for learning something useful that can add value to your life.
On a personal level, I have started cutting the time spent on listening to news and debates on various media platforms and using the time to polish my German and French as one of my resolutions.
Yours may be the time you spend on the phone chatting with friends, so please watch it and adjust especially as a child of God, so you too can have a testimony to share on December 31, 2026, to the glory of God. God bless.
NB: ‘KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
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