Just because am Ghanaian

Mavis ASAMOAH

Chapter 1: Education: Breaking the Chains of Patriarchy

Leena Amoako was a young, Ghanaian girl born and raised in the small village of New Koforidua. Growing up, Leena quickly realized that her world was defined by superstition, gendered roles, and patriarchy. As a girl, there were so many things she was not allowed to do. She was not allowed to play outside too much, wash her clothes with the boys, or even sit on certain seats in the house. Instead, she was subjected to the whims of her male counterparts in the household.

Despite the limitations of her surroundings, Leena was a determined young girl. She refused to let anyone tell her what her place was supposed to be in life. When her father decided that it was time for her to get married at the tender age of 12, Leena protested. She knew that she had more to offer the world than just being someone's wife.

Over the years, Leena has had to fight back against countless patriarchal rules and superstitions that have held her back. She has had to stand up against her father, her uncles, and even the village elders to prove her worth. But even though the odds were stacked against her, Leena refused to back down.

As she grew up, Leena began to see that the world outside of her village was a different place altogether. While New Koforidua clung to superstitions and gendered roles, people in other parts of the country were able to pursue their dreams and ambitions without fear. For the first time, Leena began to realize that being Ghanaian didn't have to mean being limited.

Leena had always felt that education was the key to breaking free from the chains of her superstitious village. Whenever she visited her aunt in the nearby town, she saw the children going to school and she felt envious. She wanted to study, to learn, and to explore the world.

When Leena was nine years old, her father had allowed her to attend school for a few weeks. She learned to read, write, and do some basic arithmetic. But then her father pulled her out of school, telling her that it was a waste of time. "What does a woman need to know except how to take care of her husband and children?" he would ask her.

However, her dreams did not die. She continued to learn from books and magazines her aunt gave her. She learned about women who had made great strides in the world, breaking barriers and making a name for themselves, despite coming from humble beginnings. She wanted to be like them.

Leena eventually persuaded her father to allow her to go back to school, but she soon realized that even education had its limitations in Ghanaian society. Her teachers, both men and women, would constantly remind her of the traditional roles that women were expected to play in society. They told her that her primary duty was to be a good wife and mother, and that her education was only important so she could teach her children.

Leena was furious. She had hoped that education would help her break out of the cycle of patriarchy, but it seemed like even in a classroom, she couldn't escape the societal expectations placed on her as a woman.

But Leena was not one to give up so easily. She decided to use her education to challenge the norms and expectations placed on her gender. She immersed herself in literature written by women and began advocating for equal opportunities for women in school and in society.

As she entered her final year of high school, Leena knew that she had to fight even harder to achieve her dreams. She had seen too many girls in her village get married off before they could even finish high school. She was determined to be the exception.

Leena was in her final year of high school, working hard to achieve her dreams of getting into university and becoming an activist for women’s rights. Her teachers had always been supportive of her, telling her that she could be anything she wanted to be as long as she worked hard.

It was at the end of class, after all the other students had left. Her English teacher, Mr. Mensah, asked her to stay behind to discuss her coursework. Leena agreed, eager to show him how hard she had been working.

But then, Mr. Mensah began to ask her questions that made her feel uncomfortable. Questions about her personal life, her dating history, and her sexuality. Leena tried to deflect the questions, but Mr. Mensah persisted.

Then, before she knew it, Mr. Mensah had reached out and touched her inappropriately. Leena was horrified. She tried to leave, but Mr. Mensah blocked the door, saying that he would fail her if she didn't comply with his advances.

Leena felt trapped. She was terrified that if she told anyone, no one would believe her. In Ghanaian society, the word of an elder was always considered more trustworthy than that of a young person. What would happen if she spoke out against her teacher, an older man with a respected position in the community?

So, Leena kept silent. She didn't tell her parents or her friends, afraid of the repercussions. Instead, she tried to put the incident behind her and focused on her studies.

Leena had always thought that she was a strong person, able to handle anything that life threw at her. But now, she realized that she had been naive. She had thought that her education and her determination could overcome any obstacle.

But now, she was struggling. She couldn't concentrate on her studies, constantly wondering if Mr. Mensah would try to get her again. She had started to lose faith in her teachers, wondering if they were all like him.

The pain of silence was more than she could bear. She knew that she had to speak out, but she was afraid of the consequences. What if she lost her scholarship? What if she wasn't allowed to continue her studies?

Leena knew that she had to find a way out. She began to research women's rights organizations in Ghana, hoping to find a way to make her voice heard. She even started a Facebook page, sharing stories of sexual harassment and asking for support from other women.

Finally, after months of struggling, Leena found the courage to speak out. She wrote a letter to the headmaster of her school, accusing Mr. Mensah of sexual harassment. She also spoke to the police, who eventually arrested Mr. Mensah and charged him with sexual assault.

Leena's story caused a stir in the community. People were talking about it, and finally, someone was listening. Women started to come forward with their own stories of sexual harassment, and the school administration began to take steps to address the problem.

For Leena, it was a relief to finally speak out. She had been carrying the weight of her silence for too long, and now, she felt like she could breathe again. She knew that there would be challenges ahead, but she was ready for them. She was determined to continue her fight for women's rights, no matter what.

In the weeks and months following Leena's brave decision to come forward, she found herself surrounded by a network of supportive people. Her friends, family, and members of the women's rights organizations that she had connected with all rallied around her, providing emotional and practical support as she fought for justice.

The trial of Mr. Mensah was not easy for Leena. Testifying in court and being cross-examined by Mr. Mensah's defense team was one of the most difficult things she had ever done. But she was determined to see justice done, not just for herself, but for all the women who had been silenced by harassment and abuse.

In the end, justice was served. Mr. Mensah was found guilty and sentenced to a long prison term. But for Leena, the trial was just the beginning.

She had found her calling as an advocate for women's rights. She continued to speak out, to organize, and to inspire others to take action. She worked with other survivors of sexual harassment and abuse to create a strong, supportive community where they could share their stories and find strength in solidarity.

Leena never forgot those difficult times when she felt alone and powerless. But now, she had a new sense of purpose and a newfound sense of strength. She knew that there were many more battles to be fought, and many more women whose voices needed to be heard. But with the support of her community and her own determination, she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. 

Leena had achieved her dream of attending university, but she quickly realized that being a Ghanaian woman came with many limitations. The university was still dominated by patriarchal norms, and Leena faced sexism and discrimination at every turn, especially in male-dominated fields like engineering and computer science.

Some of her male professors would brush off her ideas and questions, assuming she couldn't possibly know as much as they did. During group projects, her male classmates would often sideline her and ignore her contributions.

Despite these obstacles, Leena refused to be deterred. She poured herself into her studies and worked hard to prove herself. She joined women's rights groups on campus and organized events and workshops to raise awareness about the issues facing women in Ghana and beyond.

With time, Leena's hard work paid off. She started excelling in her classes and earning recognition for her talents and contributions. She received a scholarship to attend a women's leadership conference in the United States, where she met other young women who were passionate about fighting for gender equality.

Returning to Ghana, Leena felt more motivated than ever to break down the barriers that kept women from achieving their full potential. She started working with a local organization to create resources and support systems for women in STEM fields, providing mentorship and networking opportunities to help them succeed.

Slowly but surely, Leena and her colleagues began to make progress. More and more women were entering science and technology fields, and their voices were being heard. Leena knew that there was still a long way to go, but with perseverance and determination, anything was possible. 

As Leena continued to break down barriers and fight against patriarchal norms, she began to gain recognition and respect from her peers. She was increasingly becoming an influential person in her community, speaking out about the importance of empowering young women and girls to pursue their dreams, regardless of their race, gender, or nationality.

Leena became a role model to many, especially to young girls who looked up to her as proof that they too could succeed in fields traditionally dominated by men. She started giving talks and participating in panels, sharing her experiences and insights with others who were struggling with similar challenges.

One day, Leena was invited to speak at a major international conference on women's empowerment. She took the stage in front of hundreds of people, including influential leaders from around the world. She talked about her journey, from growing up in a small village in Ghana to becoming a successful engineer and advocate for gender equality.

"Growing up, I was told that just because I am Ghanaian, I am incapable," Leena said. "And for a long time, I believed that. But then I realized that my identity is not a limitation, it's a source of strength. I may be Ghanaian, but I am also intelligent, creative, and ambitious. And I refused to let anyone tell me otherwise."

The audience erupted in applause as Leena finished her speech. She felt a sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing that her words had resonated with so many people.

From that day on, Leena continued to speak out and make a difference. She worked tirelessly to break down barriers and create opportunities for women in Ghana and beyond. She proved time and time again that determination and hard work can bring about real change, and that no matter who you are, anything is possible if you believe in yourself.

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