Obra

Husband claims wife, after raising alarm over his weakness in bed, has left him for their neighbor's son; demands custody of their child together if wife no longer wants marriage.

I was at the salon one day when he came there with his wife for her to braid her hair before he left. He took my phone and used it to call his number, getting my number while his wife wasn't looking. When he left, I told his wife about the sneaky thing he did. The wife thanked me, but later left to confront him, and out of anger, she left the marriage. I was there one day when he came to tell me his wife had left him because of my gossip, so I should agree and be his girlfriend or he would kill me, as he was a fetish priest. Over fear, I accepted, and we dated for 9 years and got married. We have been married for 15 years now, but my husband has been with this lady for 7 years now. I have tried everything to separate them, but to no avail. Whenever I see the lady, out of frustration, I get angry and end up attacking her. The last time I did, my husband came home and gave me a dirty slap for doing that. He added that he is a womanizer and just like he left his first wife for me, he can do the same to me, so if I can't live with him, I should pack out and leave the marriage. As if that isn't enough, the lady has been going around telling her friends that my husband said he married me out of pity, not love, and that it's her he loves. When I heard and confronted him, he didn't deny it; neither did he say anything. Last time, coming from church, I saw my husband's car parked in front of a hotel, so I approached it, only to find him and the lady in a compromising position. I felt devastated, betrayed, and humiliated. Tears streamed down my face as I realized the extent of his infidelity. - Wife shares her ordeal

My wife filed for divorce when she became pregnant, but after giving birth to twins, we reconciled for our kids' sake. Six months later, following a fight, she abandoned them under a tree at our residence and fled to her village. She then called to say she no longer wanted us and that I should keep the kids. I pleaded, but she didn't return. A year later, she returned, apologized, and we reconciled. Later, she fell ill, and I cared for her until she recovered. A few months later, she conceived our last child. Initially, we were happy together, but after another fight, she filed for divorce again, leaving our kids with me and relocating to a new town. For years, I bathed, cooked, and provided almost everything for our kids alone; she never called or checked on them. Recently, after all these years, she returned to check on our kids while I was away and has since run off with one of our twins. Please help me retrieve my son from her; I don't know their whereabouts, and she isn't answering her calls. - A Desperate Husband

My daughter had a child with Yaw Frimpong. Their firstborn was 3.5 years old when they had their second child. However, after a misunderstanding, he sent her away, and she had to sleep outside. I was unaware until a neighbor informed me. I found them, brought them home, and tried to make peace with Yaw, but he ended the marriage. Since then, I've cared for my daughter and grandkids. Sadly, my daughter suffered a stroke and can't work. I provide for all their needs. Whenever I asked Yaw for help, he insulted me, claiming poverty, so I stopped contacting him. Years passed, and Yaw passed away. After the funeral, his sister requested to take my grandkids, but I refused. I asked her to let them stay with me and support us financially. She agreed but didn't follow up. Last week, the youngest child disappeared. After searching, Yaw's sister called, saying she had my granddaughter and wanted to keep her. I said no; she should return her, and she agreed, but till now, she hasn't. I also don't know their whereabouts.- A 65-year-old woman worried

'I never raped her. Our bush encounters were her idea. She initially claimed the pregnancy was mine but later said it was her madam's husband's. I don't know why she's lying.'"- The accused boyfriend shares his side of the story.

I had a boyfriend before I started learning tailoring. We used to have sex whenever he wanted. One day, after work, he came to pick me up, and on our way, he forced himself on me in a bush because he was horny. Although I didn't sleep on the floor, I held onto his motorcycle, and he gave it to me. A few days later, my madam sent me to her house to do chores, and her husband also forced himself on me. I threatened to tell my madam, but he warned me that if I did, he would get me fired. Out of fear, I told my boyfriend instead, who advised me to quit the job and move back to my parents. I did so, and a few days later, I started feeling unwell. After visiting the hospital, I discovered I was pregnant. When I informed my boyfriend, he denied responsibility, suggesting it might be my madam's husband's child and telling me to go to him. However, the timing of the pregnancy coincided with our encounter. Despite this, he continued to reject the child. Now, I have given birth, but I don't know who my child's father is - A 19-year-old girl weeps.

I was in my first year at Yaa Asantewaa Girls when he proposed to me. He was a trotro mate, learning how to drive from his master. I was deeply in love with him and would often follow him to his brother's home to have sex with him. Shortly during a school game, I fainted and was rushed to the hospital, where it was confirmed that I was pregnant. This news was heartbreaking, as it shattered all my dreams. I informed him, and he accepted responsibility. Consequently, I left school, deciding not to continue my education but to learn hairdressing after giving birth. Since then, my mother and I have been alone, receiving no financial support from him; not even a pesewa was sent for my care. He left his brother's place for his mother's and never showed up again. Five years have passed. Just last month, he apologized for his past mistakes and pleaded to be involved in our child's life, which I accepted. However, he stipulated that to care for the child, I must allow... (Join for the full story).

I couldn't pass my SHS exams, so I moved in with my dad, stepmom, and siblings to learn mining operations at their construction site. Last month, I returned from our galamsey site as an operator, assisting my master. My stepmother and dad are galamsey miners and gold buyers. While traveling home, my stepmother had gold in her bag on the front seat; my dad drove, and I sat in the back. Upon arrival, I met my stepbrother, greeted him, and entered. Later, I informed my stepmother I was visiting my mother to pick up neck medicine; I went, returned four days later, and resumed work. A week later, my dad accused me of stealing my stepmother's gold, claiming some went missing after we arrived home. I denied involvement, but he insisted I was the thief. They took me to a fetish priest, who revealed nothing conclusive but maintained the thief was in the house. Despite this, my stepmother and dad reported me to the police. Now, I've fled to my mother's house to hide, but police are searching for me everywhere. I'm innocent." - 19-year-old boy shares.

I was home one day when my neighbor's son brought his 3-week-old child and begged me to care for her, complaining that the Nigerian mother had run away after giving birth and couldn't care for her. He even threatened to sell the child if I didn't take her. Out of pity, I took the child in. He promised to send me 100 cedis weekly as support, being jobless and only a driver's mate. My children also offered to support, so I agreed. Initially, he honored his promise with some help from his big sister. However, for almost 5 years now, I've received no support. The child is now 7 years old. The last time I received money from them was 300 cedis in April this year from his sister. Since then, I've cared for the child's schooling, feeding, and all expenses alone. Now, when I approach him, he runs to hide; when I call, he insults me. My children, now with families of their own, can't support me much anymore. I don't want the child to drop out of school and suffer. Please help me return the child to her family; I'm exhausted and can't continue - they're ungrateful. - Caretaker

Panel discussion of social and moral issues affecting the lives of the general population.