MzBrown Writes

In a world that tends to train the ambitious and where nothing comes easy, it is tragic to see a myriad of young people opting for the easiest route. At 17, I was inspired by a close friend by the name of Goldie, who, at just 19, refused to let life happen. She worked as a lawyer's secretary diligently, and her drive ignited something in me. I later realized that there was never an option of sitting idle at home, let alone if I did not want to grow up and become someone that was dependent on others for his or her needs. Goldie's determination showed me what I thought of not doing. My mum once said, "You only get what they are willing to give when you depend on other people—not what you really need." And this was evident when I stepped out to work my ass out. I made sure I stayed productive until my college admission letter arrived in 2010. Even in School I took positions that will keep me busy at the same time earn some token to balance what I was receiving from hom...

Note: To protect the privacy of the individuals involved, names and specific locations have been altered or omitted. A 15-year-old house help, working in a quiet neighborhood in Accra, has left a home and its community in shock after revealing her unusual religious practices to the employer, Mrs. Bentum, a retired educationist and widow. What began as a normal employment process soon turned into a development of a most confusing and disturbing nature, causing quite an uproar and raising concerns all over the place.  After a long quest for dependable assistance, Mrs. Bentum finally got Hannah, a young girl from the Volta Region, to help her around with the household chores and in running her shop. The relief that came with Hannah, however, turned out to be more than that—it was a twist of challenge. On her very first day, Mrs. Bentum invited Hannah to accompany her to church, where they started discussing faith—a topic close to Mrs. Bentum's heart as an ardent Christian. It was duri...