MOTHER is undoubtedly the most beautiful and lovable word in any language. This goes to show the importance of a mother in our lives. Mother stands for millions of things she gives to her children. It also stands for sacrifices pain, grief and sorrows which she has to undergo to keep her children happy and secure.
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| A number of mothers at the Makola Market in Accra showed struggle under strenuous conditions to work hard to cater for their families. PIX: MARY ANKRAH |
No joy can match the joy of a mother looking at her child - those craving eyes-deeper than a whole ocean. The most important woman in an individual's life is her/his mother. Her presence affects us our entire life and she can't be replaced by anyone.
Celebrated every year, Mother's Day is an occasion when individuals express their love and respect that they have for their mother. It's time to pamper her for all she has done for us over the years.
On Mother's Day, you can tell your mother that she will always be important to you all and that you will continue to love her for ever. While many countries of the world celebrate their own Mother's Day at different times throughout the year, there are some countries such as Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia, Belgium and Ghana which also celebrate Mother's Day on the second Sunday of May.
Rev Dei Awuku of the Madina Saviour congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, told the Daily Graphic that although his mother left him for eternity 19 years ago, he is still appreciative of her role in his upbringing.
He said his mother made them appreciate the relevance of the adage that “the hand that does not work, will not eat.” With such powerful teachings, he and his siblings worked hard to make it in life.
He saluted all mothers for their enormous contribution to the upbringing of children, stressing that “in these modern times, it is not uncommon to see a number of mothers combining their household chores and work, with schooling to upgrade themselves for corporate and social responsibilities.
He specially congratulated his wife, Antie Mary, for the care and support she offered to the family in general and his three sons in particular.
A visit to the Makola Market in Accra showed that a number of mothers struggle under strenuous conditions to work hard to work to improve the lives of their families. Some of them wake up as early as 3am to do their household chores and set off to the market to sell their goods.
It is common to see mothers with their babies strapped at their back and seriously marketing their items or selling under the scorching sun.
A wheat seller at the market, Ms Mary Lamptey, told the Daily Graphic that she had been in the wheat business for almost 20 years and used the proceeds to sponsor her three children in school.
Ms Lamptey said her business was important to her than anything because that is what her family survives on and pointed out that even though her children are grown now, she still loves to work rather than to stay at home.
“Indeed women are suffering. Most of us single mothers in the market have to go through so much ordeals to put food on the table for our children,” Daavi, a “kontomire” seller, lamented.
Narrating her story, she said despite her struggling to make sure her children were well catered for, there was no improvement in her life but she would not give up.
She said the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has also made things difficult for the market women to sell their items.
Daavi complained that sometimes the AMA task force destroys their goods and items and even beat them up for selling on the streets. They have nowhere to sell.
A number of the women also expressed the gratitude to God for His love and blessing to all mothers in the world.
Despites the challenges and struggles they face in their daily activities, most of them said they were glad to be women, “I am glad to be a woman and a mother,” one of the women exclaimed while heartily playing with her baby.
In another development, Founders of Ghana Twins Foundation, Zeena and Maya Abou-Jaoude, have described Mother's Day as a special day for every mother and saluted all mothers, especially mothers of multiple birth which comes with an additional responsibility.
In a statement, they said being a mother was special but being the mother of twins (triplets or more) is something that is very special, adding that such mothers benefit from a gift that others do not experience.
They recognised the great sacrifices and contribution of mothers of twins and said their efforts afford their children the opportunity to survive the hardships of social life and other challenges.
“It is worth noting that a significant number of women in the urban poor communities with multiple births ironically are neglected by the fathers of the children. They therefore spend their lives deprived, while some end up on our streets using the children (twins, triplets etc) to beg for alms. The increasing use of twins in soliciting arms in the streets by some twin mothers is unfortunate and a bad reflection of the harsh conditions some mothers endure in raising such children.”
“We may not be able to pay our mothers for their tremendous sacrifices but the day certainly provides the opportunity for all to appreciate their efforts and honour them” they said.
“On the occasion of mother’s day, we congratulate all mothers and admonish mothers and women to rise and shine above the many limitations and challenges that beset them. It is our hope that society will commit itself to uphold this value and promote better appreciation and understanding of mother’s not just as female parents but as a tool for peace building and social harmony, the statement said.
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