Reactions pour in after Karen Baaba Sam told her alleged domestic violence story

Across-sections of members of the public have been reacting to the domestic abuse story of Ms Karen Baaba Sam after she shared her distressing experience allegedly at the hands of her ex-partner, Nana Kwadwo Adjei, a very well-known businessman in Ghana.

In a recent interview with Asaase News, Ms Karen Baaba Sam (“Baaba Sam” or “Karen”) narrated her harrowing experience with Nana Kwadwo Adjei while the two cohabited together with their daughter between 2016 and 2020. The level of abuse, according to Ms Sam, led her to move out of their home to a separate apartment.

Several persons have taken to their social media handles and pages to react to the story of Karen Baaba Sam and to share their personal experiences or stories about other people’s experiences regarding domestic violence and its related issues and how the police have treated the case of the victim when she reported her predicament.

*Social Media reactions*

Ayinipobila Azas, for example, wrote in a post on her Facebook Wall in reaction to Ms Baaba Sam’s narrative: “I admire this lady (Karen Baaba Sam) for her remarkable bravery in sharing a story that is so often shrouded in silence and shame.

“It takes incredible strength to speak openly about something so personal and painful, especially when society can sometimes fail to provide the support survivors need. Her story has inspired me to share my own. I hope my story can be a light for someone else, just as hers has been for me.

“In 2020, my life was shattered by domestic violence. The person I trusted turned into my worst nightmare. He physically assaulted me, leaving me battered, bruised, and fearing for my life. I’ll never forget the chilling words he said: “The only reason you’re alive is because I don’t have a gun,” Ms Ayinipobila Azas’s Facebook post read.

“At that moment, I felt utterly helpless. My world crumbled, and my sense of safety was stripped away. What followed was a long and painful road, not only of physical recovery but of emotional and psychological healing.
My source of comfort and strength was my faith and the everlasting mercies of God.

“Our society has a long way to go in addressing domestic violence, from supporting survivors to holding abusers accountable. We must do better. But I fear we may not become better in my lifetime. To anyone who is suffering, please know this: You are not alone.

“There are people who care, people who want to help, even when it feels like the world has turned its back on you. You are strong, even when you don’t feel it, and you deserve a life free from fear and pain.

To the rest of us, it’s time to act. Let’s support survivors, advocate for change in the legal system, and create a world where no one feels powerless in the face of abuse,” Ms Azas’s post further read.

Bridget Otoo, a very well-known media personality in Ghana, also shared her thoughts on X handle. She said: “The reason the woman (Karen Baaba Sam) stayed in that marriage is exactly why we are talking today! For the police to declare her wanted and make the victim out to be the perpetrator.

“She lived with someone who bragged about his influence over police! Several reports were also made to East Legon police, and no action was taken! A lot of you need to sit out on such sensitive issues,” Bridget Otoo’s post read.

“You refuse to think and are quick to blame a woman for staying in an abusive relationship without even understanding how complex it is to leave! Women are murdered for threatening to leave a relationship!!!” Ms Otoo further posted on her X handle.

Another person, Abeeku Acquah, in his reaction to the Story of Ms Karen Baaba Sam, observed: “What a shameful weak man. To be beating up your partner like that? There’s no need to hear the “other side” of the story. He is just horrible.”

Popular Ghanaian actress Ms Lydia Forson also took to her X handle to express her displeasure with the details in Ms Karen Baaba Sam’s story. After reading it, she simply posted, “This is a chilling read!”

Camry Tagoe, another social media user retorting to Ms Forson’s reaction, also wrote: “I just finished it and I feel so…. I don’t even know. Any man who hits a woman just because they think they can or feels angry deserves castration.”

*Police Warrant*

In a related development, a warrant of arrest dated Monday, 20 January 2025, has emerged on social media declaring Ms Karen Baaba Sam wanted by the Achimota District Court to assist the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in a case of unlawful child removal.

The Police warrant further states that Ms Baaba Sam is 29 years old, 5 feet and 6 inches tall, fair in complexion, slim in stature, has a tattoo on her right breast, and is a native of Dormaa Ahenkro. She is believed to be hiding in East Legon, Airport Residential Area, Cantonments, Osu, or Dzorwulu. The warrant was signed by the Superintendent of Police, Joseph Benefo Darkwah.

However, reacting to the arrest warrant and its content, a private practice lawyer, Seth Doe Esq., in a post on his X handle, pointed out that “when the police give such description for a “wanted person,” you know there is something behind the scenes.

Another social media user, @Aku_Addy, on X also posted: “We let foolishness slide too much in this country. Look at how much he beat that lady and how frequently. And everyone around her. Yet he boldly went to [the] police and told them to declare her wanted, citing the tattoo on her breast as an ID. And [the] police printed it and put it out. Smh.”

*Background*

Baaba Sam, a young and resilient Ghanaian woman, has broken her silence on the years of physical, verbal, and emotional abuse she endured at the hands of her ex-partner, Nana Adjei.

In a chilling account, Karen details the harrowing experiences that began in 2016 and culminated in a bitter custody battle over their daughter, Ohemaa. Karen met Nana Adjei in 2016. What initially seemed like a loving and protective relationship soon took a dark turn.

By 2018, when she became pregnant with their daughter, Nana Adjei appeared excited, especially since most of his children from previous relationships lived abroad with their mothers. However, cracks began to show when his second son, who had moved in with them, left after suffering physical abuse from his father.

Karen recalls the first incident of domestic violence occurring in December 2018, when Nana Adjei returned home drunk after a night out. When she asked him about where he had been, the responses she received were slaps and kicks to her body, including her pregnant belly.

“I was more scared for my unborn child than for myself,” she recounted. She managed to call a friend, Leeroy, who intervened. Nana Adjei later apologized, blaming his actions on the alcohol he had consumed.

Over the years, Karen says she suffered repeated physical assaults, often resulting in black eyes and a swollen face. Despite her brother filing a report at the East Legon Police Station, no action was taken.

According to Karen, Nana Adjei boasted about his influence in the police, making it impossible for her to seek justice. Karen’s breaking point came in April 2023, when she encountered Nana Adjei at a restaurant with another woman, whom she later discovered was his new girlfriend.

When she attempted to leave with him in his (Nana Adjei’s) car, the woman humiliated her in public, while Nana Adjei did nothing to stop it. Karen chose to walk away. However, when she got home, Nana Adjei attacked her again, beating her in the presence of their daughter.

“Nana Adjei also assaulted two family friends visiting from Germany who tried to intervene. During the chaos, Nana Adjei even kicked their daughter, causing her to fall and cry. Determined to escape the abuse, Karen ended the relationship in December 2023.

“Nana Adjei reacted with threats and demanded the return of all gifts he had given her, including their daughter’s school car. Fearing further abuse, Karen moved out in February 2024.

On her very first night in her new home, Karen was robbed at gunpoint, with all her valuables stolen. She found the timing suspicious, especially when Nana Adjei demanded the return of a specific necklace—the only valuable the robbers did not take.

The authorities believed the attack was carried out by someone close to her, prompting them to assign her police protection.