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
I experienced something on Monday, June 15, that really frustrated me. I had to go to the ministries but I could not get up early that day so I decided to pick a taxi and get to the Tuba Junction.
When I got there I realised that Traffic had built up from the Toll Booth towards Accra. After a while I got a Taxi and it was when we got to a certain spot on the road, that I realised why there was a traffic jam.
There is a short stretch of the road where each time it rains heavily, loose material run down the hill onto the road, blocking one side of the road. Vehicles from Kasoa to Accra are then forced to move into one of the lanes of those going towards Kasoa from Accra.
The two lane road from Accra to Kasoa becomes a single carriage way. That was the reason for the traffic jam from the toll booth onwards.
This has been a perineal problem and yet, no permanent solution has been found till date. The area falls under Ga South and even though, a new MCE has taken over, the technocrats are still there and so the problem is not new to them.
There is therefore no excuse for the inability of the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly to resolving the problem on that stretch of the road. Apart from the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly, another institution that must be held accountable is the Ghana Highways Authority.
The Highways Authority cannot say they are unaware of this issue. The fact that the problem falls within the area of responsibility of the Ga South Assembly, does not relieve the Ghana Highways Authority, of their responsibility of ensuring that our highways are maintained in a motorable state at all times.
A collaboration between the Ghana Highways Authority and The Ga South Municipal Assembly is required for a permanent resolution of the problem.
There was another traffic jam at a place called Atala about 250 metres to the traffic light at Old Barrier as a result of an issue similar to the one close to the toll booth, that I talked about earlier.
When we got to Weija junction, we encountered another traffic jam. The cause of this jam was a bad condition of road about 80 metres from the traffic light at Ga South Hospital heading towards Accra.
Due to the bad nature at that section of the road, vehicles are compelled to slow down resulting in a traffic jam stretching all the way to Weija Junction.
I started wondering if that short stretch of road cannot be sorted on one Sunday when traffic is usually light. When we got to the traffic light at Odorkor, there was another issue.
When the traffic light shows green, there is a slow down because there is a big pothole or should I say manhole in the outer lane, right at the traffic light. Vehicles in the outer lane are compelled to swerve into the second lane thereby causing a traffic to slow down and resulting in a traffic jam.
It is very important to take into account the effect of traffic jam on the national economy. If we are able to assess the value of the loss to the economy of the nation, I believe the issue of traffic jam will be prioritised.
Imagine persons working at various Government Organisations like Registrar General’s Department, Ghana Ports and Habours Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority, CEPS etc. and lives at Kasoa and whose job is to collect revenue for the state and is held up in traffic.
Just imagine the effect their lateness to work will have on the economy if you consider the delays in say clearing of goods at the port and as a result traders cannot sell their goods for government to generate the required taxes.
Let us deal with the traffic jams on our streets to promote economic growth. God bless.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
Mortality is an inherent aspect of life, a universal experience that has sparked philosophical, theological, and scientific inquiry throughout human history.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of mortality, acknowledging the complexity of the topic and the diverse perspectives surrounding it.
The biological imperative
From a biological standpoint, death is a natural part of the life cycle. It serves as a mechanism for the evolution of species, allowing for the passing on of genetic material and the adaptation to environmental changes.
Evolutionary perspective: Death allows for the recycling of resources, promoting the survival and adaptation of species.
Life span and senescence: Cellular aging and the limitations of biological systems contribute to mortality.
Philosophical and existential perspectives
Existentialism: Emphasises individual freedom and responsibility in the face of mortality.
Meaning and purpose: The finite nature of life can prompt individuals to seek meaning and purpose.
The human condition: Mortality is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, shaping our perceptions and values.
Cultural and spiritual views
Afterlife and spirituality: Many cultures and religions believe in an afterlife or spiritual continuation.
Rituals and mourning: Cultural practices surrounding death reflect the significance of mortality in human experience.
Legacy and remembrance: The impact of one’s life can transcend mortality.
Ethical considerations
End-of-life care: Ethical debates surround issues like euthanasia, assisted dying, and palliative care.
Quality of life: Balancing the value of life with the quality of life is a complex ethical issue.
Resource allocation: Societal decisions about healthcare and resource distribution involve considerations of mortality.
Psychological impact
Grief and loss: The experience of mortality can evoke profound emotional responses.
Fear and anxiety: The awareness of mortality can lead to existential anxiety.
Appreciation and gratitude: Recognising mortality can foster appreciation for life.
Conclusion
Mortality is a multifaceted aspect of human existence, influencing how we live, relate, and find meaning. Understanding and acknowledging mortality can prompt deeper reflections on life and our place in the world.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
