Obaa Yaa
She must leave my house
Dear Obaa Yaa,
When l was successfully delivered of my son, my husband and l saw the need to look for a house help to assist in the performance of the domestic chores to relieve me of the workload at home.
l understood him because the decision was taken in my interest and to provide me with some time to rest when less busy.
When the house help finally settled down in the house, she started wearing mini-skirts, transparent dresses and sometimes partially exposing her breast through her dress.
I did not hesitate to draw her attention to the fact that l was against her dressing so she must change.
Though l have served her this notice, she has refused to comply and continue to dress the way l have cautioned her against.
This lady is the type who is capable of meddling in matters which do not concern her.
A friend of mine who met her in town a couple of times has suggested that l should expel her from the house in order to save my marriage. She said l should not blame anyone if she succeeds in snatching my husband from me.
My husband has disagreed to my suggestion that the lady should leave the house because it is difficult getting house helps these days.
What should l do?
Nancy, Ablekuma, Accra
Dear Nancy,
I would like to commend you for your vigilance and for taking pains to study the nitty-gritty of what happens in your house.
Be reminded of the saying that “actions speak louder than words.” The details you have identified and the observation of your friend all point to the danger lurking in your backyard and immediate steps must be taken to address it before it gets out of control.
You can only save your marriage by ensuring that this lady leaves your house for good. However, if you delay, you would have yourself to blame.
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.
