Obaa Yaa
They say am a witch
Dear Obaa Yaa,
I am only 15 years old and I stay with my aunt and her family. All was fine at home until my aunt started going to a certain priest for prayers.
This priest then told my aunt that I am witch and that I should be taken to somewhere for purification.
What I want to know is how does someone know whether one is a witch or not? I am miserable because every night my aunt would recite some psalms on my head before she sleeps.
Because of this accusation, I have been receiving insults from my cousins. I am planning to run away.
Mawusi, Keta
****
Dear Mawusi,
Your auntie is not a nice person, but it’s not her fault. It is the priest who is making her to behave like that. And sometimes these priest have so much influence on people that they believe and do whatever they are told.
On the other hand, if you discover that the pressure at home is too much for you, tell your auntie and move back to your parents.
Whatever happens, please don’t run away. If your aunti refuses to send you home but harass you, then find a way to send a message to your people at home. Don’t worry about the psalms that she reads, they cannot harm you. And lastly I don’t think you should worry about who is a witch or who is not because obviously, you are not.
Obaa Yaa
They said the carpenter is not a good match
Dear Obaa Yaa,
As a University graduate from the prestigious University of Ghana currently doing my National Service in a very great institution, I am dating a carpenter who barely completed his Junior High School.
I love him, and I don’t see any problem dating him but my sisters are against it.
I started dating him when I was in my third year, he is caring, free spirit and kind.
My sisters are saying he is not a good match for me and he will block my chances in future.
He’s even demanding to go see my parents.
Please what should I do?
Miriam,North Legon
*****
Dear Miriam,
I can see the love for your boyfriend is deep. I pray the two of you will be in this boat forever.
Love does not show class, level etc. It’s about two matured people who have decided to build a family together.
In your letter, you mentioned that your sisters were against you marrying the carpenter. They are looking at your boyfriend’s background and occupation.
If you really love him, you can help him to register for courses in order to upgrade his schooling and make his business very attractive.
I know there are men who are interested in you as well. But don’t let that get into your head. Take your time and study all of them because marriage is a long journey.
Take him to your parents as well, they might even like him.
Obaa Yaa
He has stopped going to church
Dear Obaa Yaa,
I am going through hell. I have been married for five years and I have known no peace.
My husband who was a staunch Christian before we married has taken to serious drinking.
And anytime he is drunk, he insults me for no reason. We have a child together.
He has stopped going to church with us. Anytime he is drunk, he doesn’t come home.
I can’t cope any longer with the marriage, I want to quit. I need your wise counsel.
Yaa Mansa,
Techiman.
****
Dear Yaa Mansa,
Married is not a straight road. It can be rough and winding sometimes because many factors come to play.
Frustration at work can turn a man into a drunkard. Even nagging can change the nice character of a man.
Financial problems can change a man’s mood.
So humans do change, but the good thing is that they can also change for the better.
However before a person can change, the root cause of his problem must be ascertained.
Find out why your husband is drinking and also stopped going to church and help him to reform.
Note that in such circumstances, nagging does no good. He must be sympathized with and helped to turn around, and not condemned.
