Hot!
Who ‘owns’ the front seat of a private vehicle …wife or mother?
Mr. Peter Tweneboah Mensah
The front seat of a private vehicle has been the centre of controversy in many homes. This seat, which is beside the driver’s seat has over the years created tension between people.
One of such is between mother-in-laws and wives who feel they are entitled to sit in front whenever the two occupy the vehicle.
For the mothers (in-laws) because the driver, who is most often also the owner of the vehicle, is their son they feel they must at all cost occupy the front seat to feel dignified because they toiled to make him who he is.
The wives on the other hand are of the opinion that since their husbands own the vehicle, they are co-owners and have the right to decide where they wish to sit.
It is not clear what exactly is on the front passenger seat of a vehicle to warrant such struggles and even subsequently create tension at home.
In an interaction with a Family Life and Marriage Counsellor, Mr Peter Tweneboah Mensah on Monday at Ashaiman, he said there was no need for any debate on the subject about who should sit by the driver.
“That seat is for the wife. If it is her husband’s vehicle, it means it also belongs to her so she should decide where to sit,” he said.
According to Mr Mensah, if the wife decides not to sit on the front passenger seat it is her decision so no one should feel entitled and even “fight” her over it.
He said driving in the same car creates an opportunity for couples to spend time together to discuss issues.
“If someone else is occupying the front seat how will the couple communicate effectively,?” he questioned.
“Does he have to keep turning his head to talk to his wife? The Bible says the two shall be one, so it applies in many areas and this is no exception.
No one should try to separate a couple,” he said.
If husbands explain their wives’ position clearly to their mothers, it would reduce unnecessary tensions in families.
The Family Life and Marriage Counsellor said wives must extend the same courtesies to their husbands when they drive.
“I prefer sitting in front to watch the road and alert my husband of any impending dangers when he is driving because he is often absent-minded. It is just for safety sake and not dominance as some people think,” Mrs Angela Manu, a wife said in an interview with The Spectator.
A mother, Madam Faustina Adjei whose three sons own vehicles said sitting in front of her sons vehicles when they are drive makes her feel fulfilled as a mother which she wishes no one takes away from her.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Ashaiman
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
