The heartbreaking reality of how some men take advantage of mentally unstable women has once again been laid bare on Nhyira FM’s Obra Show.
For many women battling mental illness, the world can already be cruel and unkind. But for Naomi Amankwaa, a 41-year-old woman who has struggled with mental instability since childhood, that cruelty came in the form of betrayal, deception, and abandonment.
Her mother, Akua Nyarko, walked into the studios of Nhyira FM clutching her handbag, and her pain, in search of help. Her trembling voice echoed through the studio as she narrated how her daughter, who has lived most of her life under her care, was taken advantage of by men who knew too well that she was not in a sound mental state.
“My daughter is not violent or aggressive,” Akua said, struggling to steady her voice. “She can talk, she can reason at times, but she’s not well. She was deceived by a man who knew her condition.”
According to her, Naomi became pregnant about seven years ago. When gently questioned about who was responsible, she mentioned two names — Kwame Wireko and Richard. Shocked and confused, Akua confronted both men, only to be met with a disturbing admission.
“Kwame Wireko told me, yes, he slept with her, but he used a condom,” Akua revealed on Obra. “I couldn’t believe my ears. How could a man of his age admit to sleeping with a mentally unstable woman, and then try to justify it by saying he used protection?”
The host of Obra, Ohemaa Benewaa, could not hide her outrage.
“This is the sad part of our society,” she interjected passionately. “When these things happen, the men who take advantage of mentally challenged women turn around to act like victims as if someone is tarnishing their name, when in truth, they are the ones destroying lives.”
Following the show’s intervention, DNA results later excluded Wireko from being the father of the child. That left Richard as the only remaining person Naomi had named. But according to Akua, he has since gone into hiding, refusing to show up for a DNA test.
For the past seven years, Akua has been both a mother and a grandmother, carrying a burden she never asked for. From naming the baby to providing food, shelter, and clothing, she has raised the child entirely on her own.
Naomi’s condition makes it impossible for her to care for the child, leaving her mother to shoulder the full responsibility.
“When I see my grandchild, I see innocence,” Akua said softly. “She didn’t ask to be born into this situation. But how do I tell her one day that her father refused to acknowledge her?”
Addressing the broader issue, Ohemaa Benewaa highlighted that Naomi’s story reflects a growing social problem.
“Every now and then, we hear such reports,” she lamented. “Some men take advantage of women on the streets; women who can’t even remember what happened to them, and when a pregnancy results, these same men vanish. Yet, when their names are mentioned, they feel insulted. How do you feel insulted by your own wrongdoing?”
She continued, her voice rising with conviction: “Let’s be clear, not every mentally unstable woman can be taken advantage of. Some, like Naomi, can still recall people and moments. When she repeatedly mentions the same names, it means something. And if the man insists he isn’t responsible, the only fair thing is to take a DNA test. That is how we uncover the truth.”
The Obra team has since reached out to Richard, but all attempts to get him to cooperate have proven futile. According to Akua, he ignores calls and refuses to meet with the producers. However, the team has vowed to pursue the matter until justice is served.
“We won’t let this go,” Ohemaa assured listeners. “We are calling on social welfare and the police to step in. This is not just about one family; it’s about protecting vulnerable women from exploitation and giving a voice to those who can’t speak for themselves.”
For Madam Akua, her plea is simple but deeply heartfelt. She wants truth, justice, and dignity, not only for her daughter, but for her granddaughter who continues to grow without a father’s recognition.
“I’ve carried this burden for too long,” she said, breaking into tears. “All I ask is that he stands up as a man and accepts what he’s done. My daughter may not be sound, but she still deserves justice.”
After adjudication, Richard finally admitted to having had a sexual relationship with Naomi but still insists he is not responsible for the pregnancy. Following this admission, the Obra Show, hosted by Ohemaa Benewaa, has invited him for a DNA test to settle the matter once and for all.
As the case continues to unfold, the story of Naomi and her mother remains a mirror of society’s silent failure; a failure to protect the vulnerable, hold the guilty accountable, and ensure that justice speaks even for those who cannot speak for themselves.
And as Obra continues its mission to uncover the truth, many listeners hope that this time, justice will not only be heard, but it will also be seen.
Source: Hannah Addae