The wife of a shoemaker who committed suicide in Ghana has revealed that she had been in a romantic relationship with him for years before they found out they were related
The shoemaker, Kwabena Nkrumah, took his own life after discovering that his wife, Comfort Adwoa Okorewah, was his cousin. The couple had been married for six years and had two children together.
According to Adwoa Okorewah, she and Nkrumah had been dating for several years before they got married. They both knew they were from the same hometown, but they didn’t know they were related until after they got married. Adwoa Okorewah said that Nkrumah’s family had kept the information from him because they didn’t want to ruin the relationship.
After Nkrumah found out about the family connection, he became depressed and eventually took his own life. Adwoa Okorewah said that she tried to console him and convince him that their relationship was still valid, but he couldn’t get over the fact that they were related. She said that she too was devastated by the news and that she had loved Nkrumah deeply.
The incident has sparked a debate in Ghana about the importance of genetic testing and the need for more education about family planning.
Some Ghanaians have called for mandatory genetic testing before marriage to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. Others have argued that genetic testing is unnecessary and that people should rely on their families to disclose any potential family connections.
Adwoa Okorewah said that she wants to raise awareness about the importance of family planning and genetic testing to prevent other couples from going through what she and Nkrumah went through. She said that she hopes her story will encourage others to talk to their families about their family histories and to seek genetic testing if they have any concerns.
The incident has also highlighted the stigma surrounding mental health in Ghana. Adwoa Okorewah said that Nkrumah’s depression was not taken seriously by his family or the community, and that he didn’t receive the support he needed.
She said that she hopes her story will encourage Ghanaians to take mental health more seriously and to seek help if they are struggling.
The tragic story of Kwabena Nkrumah and Comfort Adwoa Okorewah highlights the importance of family planning, genetic testing, and mental health support in Ghana. It also underscores the need for more education and awareness about these issues to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
