While Sunyani is quiet and mourning the demise of the Sunyanihene, a mother’s heart is heavy with worry. Mrs. Tabua, sits on a wooden chair in her modest living room, her hands tightly clasped together, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and love. She speaks of her daughter, Ama, and her amorous entanglement with Abigail, a nurse in the community.
“Ama is my world, Madam Tabua begins, her voice trembling slightly. “She has always been so full of life, so kind-hearted. But now I fear for her safety, for her future.
The concern etched on Mrs. Tabua’s face is palpable as she recounts the blossoming romance between Ama and Abigail. What began as innocent friendship blossomed into something deeper, a love that dared to defy societal norms. In a community where tradition reigns supreme, where expectations weigh heavily on the shoulders of the youth, their love was a forbidden flower, destined to bloom in the shadows.
“I noticed the change in Ama,” Mrs. Tabua says, her gaze drifting to a family portrait on the wall. “She became distant, secretive. It wasn’t until Ama’s younger sister reporting that she saw them in bed doing abominable things at the nurse’s house that I followed up to search her room and found birthday cards and messages from Abigail hidden under her mattress that I truly understood.”
The revelation shook Mrs. Tabua t to her core. Her daughter, her precious Ama was in love with another woman. In a society where such love is often met with scorn, discrimination, and even violence, Mrs. Tabua’s maternal instincts kicked into overdrive. She knew she had to protect her daughter, but the path ahead was fraught with peril.
“In Ghana, reporting such matters to the police could be self-incriminating,” Mrs. Tabua explains, her voice barely above a whisper. “Our laws do not protect those who love differently. I cannot bear the thought of Ama being jailed, of her facing such cruelty simply for being true to herself.” My Sister who could not bear reported the issue to Dogo who leads a community anti-LGBT group and I now fear the worst given how the man dandled some people in Fiapre recently.
The struggle Mrs. Tabua faces is a poignant reflection of the clash between love and tradition, between a mother’s unconditional support and the harsh realities of societal judgment. In a community where anti-vigilante groups now hunt for Ama and Abigail; the stakes have never been higher.
“I want Ama to be safe, to be happy,” The mother says, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “But I also fear for her future if we do not adhere to our traditions. It is a delicate balance, a tightrope I walk every day.”
As Mrs. Tabua grapples with this heart-wrenching dilemma, her love for her daughter shines through like a beacon of hope. She dreams of a future where Anita can love freely, without fear or shame. But for now, she must navigate the murky waters of Ghanaian society, torn between protecting her child and safeguarding the traditions that have shaped their lives for generations.
“I pray for guidance, for strength,” Ama mother says, her voice steady now, her resolve unwavering. “I will do whatever it takes to keep Ama safe, to ensure that she knows she is loved, no matter what.”
As the interview draws to a close, Mrs. Tabua looks out of the window, towards the hills that have witnessed generations of her family’s joys and sorrows. In her eyes burns a fierce determination, a mother’s love that knows no bounds. In a world where love knows no boundaries, Mrs. Tabua stands as a testament to the enduring power of a mother’s unwavering love.
By: Dan Kwasi Prince || Dailyviewgh.com
