Features
Smooth Transfer — Part 3
After a busy morning at the office, I met the boys at Adehye, our usual lunch spot. We started catching up on the latest gossip, but the hottest issue was Abena and I.
The guys were surprised that Abena showed complete indifference when she saw them whilst in the company of another guy. Ebo’s fiancé solved the riddle for us.
‘Guys, let me tell you what’s happening. Jennifer is what I would call a fixer. She fixes guys with girls. Every now and then, guys with money in their pockets would ask her to get them ladies, and she would make friends with the girls and get the job done.
And David, you know your girl Abena has all the features that men like—big size, ample bosom and booty and thighs, topped up with good looks.
‘And Jennifer does this for the fun of it?’ Papa Awotwe asked. ‘She just fixes guys with girls just for fun?’
‘Certainly not. She takes a fee, depending usually on the means of the customer. Some wealthy guys pay well, others struggle.’
‘So does she share this money with the girls? Surely, any girl agreeing to be traded will take some inducements?’
‘Jennifer does not share her fees with them. Awotwe, most of the girls who would allow themselves to be traded think they need money, or it’s simple greed. They want money to buy dresses and shoes and other fine things, and to be taken to nice restaurants by people with flashy cars.
And David, let me tell you this. My sister Baaba knows Jennifer quite well, and she tells me that she met her with your Abena at a dress designer’s place, and they were really running you down. Basically, they were saying that you are a civil servant working at the Ministry of Agriculture, and your job regularly takes you to the north.
You are just a struggling young man, they say, and Abena was much better off with this guy called Ampadu, whose family is quite wealthy. According to them, your car is quite ordinary compared to Ampadu’s BMW, and he takes her to places you just cannot afford.’
‘Amen,’ Ebo said. ‘David, I think we have to celebrate the fact that you have found this out early in the day. I’m so glad that you have also started hitting the right buttons in business. I know Abena will be in for a big surprise quite soon. This Ampadu guy and his two brothers are very loud.
They hold parties quite regularly, at which a lot of wines and good food are served. But if the supermarkets are their source of funds, then they have to be careful.’
‘I’ve heard that their dad took a chieftaincy title a couple of years ago,’ George said, ‘and he has acquired some lands which his kids are selling. I hope they are using part of those resources wisely.’
‘How can you use resources wisely when you are organizing flashy parties?’ Ebo said. ‘Hey, let’s order our food.’
It was a Friday evening, so I got into some light evening wear and drove out to meet the boys, but I decided to stop by Abena’s place.
Her mother and sister and another young lady were relaxing in the yard, together with her cousin, so I sat beside them and joined their chat.
‘Abena is getting ready,’ Mama said. ‘Are you guys going out?’
‘Actually, I haven’t made any such arrangements with her. I got back into town just this morning, so I just stopped by to greet you all and see how you are doing. And by the way, who is this gorgeous young lady?’
‘Ah, David,’ Esaaba said. ‘Kwakyewaa is our cousin. She’s a postgraduate student in France. She’s here for a holiday. Abena is dressing up, so I assumed she was going out with you.’
Abena came out, looking nice.
‘Good evening,’ she said. ‘You are back in town.’ I nodded.
‘Abena, I thought you were going out with David,’ Esaaba said.
‘No. I didn’t know he was in town. Jennifer and I are going out with some friends. They are picking me up any time from now.’
‘Actually, it’s quite fine,’ I said. ‘I’m meeting my friends at the new seaside joint to catch up on what’s happening.’
Just then, the horn of a car sounded, and Abena walked majestically to the gate.
‘So David,’ Esaaba said, ‘when will you fulfil your promise of taking me out? I haven’t enjoyed an evening out for some time.’
‘Actually, we can do that now. Kwakyewaa and Mom can join us. In fact, you will enjoy the view of the sea and the live band, and they serve some wicked food. So why don’t you go and get ready?’
‘No way!’ the elderly lady…
In recent years, the term “female rage” has gained significant traction, symbolising a collective shift in how women’s emotions are perceived and addressed.
This phenomenon is not merely a fleeting trend but a profound movement rooted in centuries of systemic injustices, personal betrayals, and societal expectations.
As women increasingly reclaim their anger, it is imperative to understand the multifaceted nature of female rage, its causes, and its implications for individuals and society at large.
The historical context of female anger
Historically, women’s emotions have been subject to dismissal, ridicule, and pathologisation. The term “hysteria,” originating from the Greek word for uterus, was used to describe women’s emotional states as irrational and uncontrollable.
This legacy of silencing and shaming has contributed to a culture where women’s anger is often suppressed or stigmatised.
However, with the rise of feminist movements, women are challenging these narratives, asserting their right to express anger and demand change.
The anatomy of female rage
Female rage is not a monolith; it is a complex and multifaceted emotion driven by various factors, including:
1. Societal expectations: The pressure to conform to traditional roles of passivity, politeness, and emotional labour.
2. Gender inequality and pay gaps: Frustration stemming from systemic discrimination in the workplace and beyond.
3. Sexual harassment and abuse: Trauma and anger resulting from pervasive violence and objectification.
4. Emotional labour and burnout: The unsustainable burden of managing emotions and responsibilities in personal and professional spheres.
5. Hormonal fluctuations: The impact of hormonal changes on emotional states, often overlooked or dismissed.
The power of anger: Reclaiming female rage
Far from being a destructive force, female rage can be a catalyst for change. When acknowledged and channelled constructively, anger can drive advocacy, policy reform, and resistance against inequality.
The #MeToo movement, women’s marches, and increased representation in politics are testaments to the power of collective female anger.
Addressing the Stigma: Towards a more inclusive dialogue
To fully harness the potential of female rage, society must address the stigma surrounding women’s anger. This involves:
1. Validation and recognition: Acknowledging women’s emotions as legitimate and worthy of attention.
2. Creating safe spaces: Providing platforms for women to express anger without fear of backlash.
3. Education and awareness: Challenging stereotypes and promoting understanding of women’s experiences.
4. Support systems: Offering resources and support for women dealing with trauma and systemic injustices.
Conclusion
The age of female rage is a moment of profound transformation, where women’s anger is no longer silenced but celebrated as a force for justice.
By understanding the roots of female rage and addressing the societal structures that fuel it, we can move towards a more equitable and compassionate world.
The journey is complex, but the destination-a society where women’s emotions are respected and their voices are heard is worth the struggle.
References:
[1] Chemudupati, P. (2022). _The Rage of Women: A Historical Perspective_.
[2] Traister, R. (2018). _Good and Mad:
By Robert Ekow Grimond-Thompson
Features
From panic to pass: how parents, teachers can help children beat BECE, WASSCE exam phobia- Part 1
Walk through any Junior High or Senior High compound in Ghana as BECE or WASSCE approaches and you will see it.
A bright girl suddenly quiet. A boy who led class debates now sleeping at his desk. A Form three student with stomach pains every Monday morning.
This is not laziness. This is academic stress. When left unaddressed, it hardens into exam phobia-overwhelming dread that pushes children into burnout, avoidance, and sometimes silence.
As a mental health professional who sits with these children and their parents at Counselor Prince & Associates Consult (CPAC) in Adenta Oyarifa-Teiman, I see the pattern clearly.
Research confirms it. Putwain and Daly (2014) found that high test anxiety predicts lower grades independent of ability. Zeidner (1998) showed that chronic academic pressure raises cortisol, weakens memory recall, and increases school dropout risk. The brain under fear cannot retrieve what it studied.
Understanding the storm: What academic stress really looks like
Exam phobia is not just “being nervous.” It shows up as headaches before mocks, sudden anger when books are mentioned, night-time insomnia, or perfectionism that ends in blank scripts.
Some children over-study until 2 a.m. and forget everything by 9 a.m. Others avoid books completely, scrolling phones instead. Both are distress signals. Dr Kenneth Ginsburg, a paediatrician specialising in adolescent resilience, notes: “Stress is not the enemy; feeling alone with stress is.” Too many Ghanaian children feel alone with it.
The home front: How parents and couples become safe havens, not extra pressure
The first antidote is at home. Structure beats shouting. Set a predictable study slot-same time, same place, with water and a light snack. Then protect sleep like you protect school fees. A tired brain fails faster than an unprepared one. Use the “15-minute start rule”: “Just sit for 15 minutes. If you still can’t, we close and try after a walk.” Often, starting is the hardest part.
Couples must watch their language. “Don’t disgrace us” plants fear. Replace it with “We see your effort. What part feels hardest today?” Praise process, not only position: “You revised three topics and asked for help—that is maturity.” Research by Dweck (2006) confirms that process praise builds resilience while outcome praise increases anxiety.
For caregivers, check your own anxiety. Children borrow our nervous system. If BECE makes you panic, they will panic. One parent grounds—keeps meals, prayer, and bedtime steady. The other pivots—talks to teachers, adjusts timetables, arranges counselling. Both protect rest. An empty cup cannot pour calm.
Resources
– Counsellor Prince & Associates Consult (CPAC): Award-winning Clinical Mental Health and Counselling Facility, accredited by the Ghana Psychology Council.
– School-Based Support: Speak to Guidance & Counselling units, or licensed school counsellors. E.g. Counsellor Blessing Offei – 0559850604 (School Counsellor).
– Contact CPAC for Parent Coaching/Counselling & Student Therapy: 055 985 0604 / 055 142 8486
