Obaa Yaa
Parents forcing daughter, 22, to marry Doctor, 56 yrs
Dear Obaa Yaa,
I am a young lady in one of the tertiary institutions in the country and zealous of pursuing my education to the highest level.
However, my parents are compelling me to marry a medical doctor who is 56 years old, a father of three children who is not friendly.
My parents have reached this decision because of poverty and they find it difficult to cater for me and the rest of my siblings.
Though I have appealed to them to rescind their decision, they are still pressing hard to go ahead and contact the medical doctor without my approval.
What action should I take?
Esi, Accra.
Dear Esi,
Education is the pivot around which a nation’s development revolves, hence all efforts must be made to encourage more people to go to school.
I suggest you inform your relatives to talk to your parents about the essence for higher education and the need for your rights to be respected.
They should understand that marriage thrives on love, tolerance and mutual understanding. Therefore, compelling children into marriage these days should be discouraged.
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.
