Obaa Yaa
Our daughter is pregnant
Dear Obaa Yaa,
Our daughter is a third -year student in one of the Senior High Schools in the country and we have the conviction that she will complete with good grades.
Unfortunately, we have received information from the school authorities that our daughter is four months pregnant and it is prudent to inform us.
Though the school authorities have not suggested any solution to the problem, neighbours and some friends who have heard about the case have asked that we should quietly abort the pregnancy for our daughter to continue her education without interruption.
They argue that since she istoo young, she may probably not be capable of taking good care of the baby by herself. They say we should consider the education of our daughter more important so we should safeguard her future.
Though my religion forbids me to cause abortion, l am of the view that our daughter is not old enough to bear the pressure of motherhood, therefore, she should be assisted in this case.
Is my opinion good or appropriate? I wish to hear from you.
Joseph, Accra.
Dear Joseph,
I quite agree with you that education is one of the best gifts parents must give their children in order to sustain their future. Additionally, parents have the responsibility to ensure that they train their children to receive good moral education which is also a necessary requirement for the development of children in the future.
However, this should not be an excuse for you to abort the pregnancy, secondly, your religion also forbids it. In order not to attract the wrath of God, ignore the promptings from others and allow your daughter to give birth.
Your wife should take care of the grandchild after some period to enable your daughter to return to school since you value education.
Do not temper with the life of that innocent child since you do not know what that child will become in future.
Obaa Yaa
Under pressure from family to marry
Dear Obaa Yaa,
I am 38 and single. In spite of the pressure I receive from my mother, I have decided not to marry now until I am financially sound.
It is this same mother of mine who would keep asking me for things even when I am married.
Obaa Yaa, recently my mother actually came to my house with a 10 member delegation from my hometown in the Ashanti Region at dawn.
Their mission was to give me two weeks ultimatum to marry or else they would bring me a wife from the village.
Obaa Yaa, please what should I do?
Akwasi.
Dear Akwasi,
MARRIAGE is not a child’s play. I understand the fact that you want to be financially sound to decide on marriage.
You are not getting younger so try to give ear to what your mother is saying.
No one can force you to marry against your will. Get to your mother with a respectable elder and let her know that she is embarrassing you with her unwarranted demands.
Assure her that in your own good time, you would get married and that you are not prepared to accept any imposition.
Obaa Yaa
He forcibly kissed me
Dear Obaa Yaa,
I am a 20-year-old girl and a virgin. I have made up my mind not to have sex before marriage or involve myself in any immoral acts.
Interestingly, when I turned 25, I met a man who was in his early thirties doing so well with business.
He is very kind, lovely, faithful, caring, humble and God-fearing.
We began dating for some time and because he didn’t ask for sex, I concluded he was the right man for me.
One holiday, we decided to hang out. He proposed marriage to me, when I said yes, he forcibly kissed me.
Looking at things, I am afraid that he will one day forcibly have sex with me.
Should I go on with this relationship?
Annora, Sunyani.
Dear Anora,
YOU are growing and you should be able stand by the decisions you take.
Once this man has forcibly kissed you, what he intends to do next is to have sex with you.
He might be a good man so don’t end the relationship because of the incident that happened.
If you are not ready to marry, do not accept any love proposal from a man.
If you are also interested in him, kindly tell him to do the needful before any other thing.
