A Letter to My Mother: I pledge to continue to carry the cross, Nanaba Amoako writes

Word of mouth is very powerful to the extreme point of making and unmaking an individual. This succumbs reasons certain words people use affect their lives. When you are an infant, you wish many great things that you would want to achieve. Since life has got its own offers, you might achieve all those dreams with its battles and vice versa. There is an adage in the Akan language that says, “Obra y3 Oko” which means, life is a battle.

This feature is not meant to ruffle feathers, but to elaborate on realities in this modern world pertaining to the Ghanaian home.
We are in an era where people are to be seen flourishing in every aspect of life especially with children growing up. It is a great feeling though… But the question I keep asking myself is who wants to be seen as a nonchalant human?… Absolutely no one. Another intriguing adage in the Akan language goes “De3 )foro dua pa, na y3 pia no” which explains why some people offer helping hands to whom they think their lives will be ameliorated when buttressed. Being the first child of your parents in a Ghanaian setting is a whole life struggle “shapen iniquity” accompanied by a huge responsibility.

You are expected to strive for the highest percentage to be successful and for your home to be distinguished.

I want to become a lawyer when I grow up… are the words uttered by a child who sees the future with brightness. I come from a home adorned with poverty, and as young as I am thinking aloud of how to achieve this biggest dream. I commenced basic education in my hometown and after completion, I realized becoming a lawyer as always desired would not come true due to financial constraints.

My wish is lurking in my heart. I will not also be reluctant. I will buckle up, grapple with life, and dispel the known poverty in my home.
My mom who was the pillar of my life has been lowered down into the earth….but the desperation to be successful regardless of hurdles keeps becoming bigger. I have commuted from my hometown to find myself another life full of opportunities and goodies.

How do I begin this life? This is a state where I am caught between the anvil and the hammer. I believe with resilience and consistency, those dreams will be a reality for a first child.

Accra is the capital city of Ghana. It is the city where you can literally find almost everything. Starting a new life where you know none, and have no place to lie your head in the night is another difficult task.

Roaming lackadaisically in this busiest city is another name for me. I would join the hawkers to sell during the day and at night to at most have a meal daily. While hawking at night one day, I got raided by thugs and I nearly lost my life. It took me quite a number of days to recover.

Reflecting on the biggest dream I want to achieve is also accompanied by suicidal thoughts anytime I imagine. I would not despair because I want to be that first child to make it in life and elevate my home.

“Wop3 no yie a wobr3 ” is all I keep telling myself. I met a God-sent one day when I was returning from my hawking business. She interrogated me and saw my potential to become prestigious. She took it upon herself to sponsor me to become what I wished for. I don’t know if God came through for me or if it was destiny. Now, I’m currently furthering my education in pursuit of becoming the lawyer I have always dreamt of. Apparently, the dream of a first child in a family casting away poverty is becoming a reality.

I am writing this piece to inform my mother that indeed word of mouth never disappointed me and I pledge to continue to carry the cross.

Article By: Francisca Nanaba Amoako