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.
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.
