See UEW Level 300 student who’s Mother has been beating up by her father for Using only her mother’s name and picture for creative writing as she gets home

 Abuse Triggered by Creative Writing Recognition

My name is Evelyn Ama Boakye, a close neighbor and family friend of the Mensahs. I have known the family for over a decade, since they moved to our community in Kasoa. What I am about to recount is not just an unfortunate domestic incident—it is a heartbreaking reality that highlights the deeper emotional wounds that exist in many households. The story centers on Rebecca Mensah, a mother of three and a humble trader, who was physically assaulted by her husband, Mr. Joseph Mensah, because of how their daughter, a Level 300 student at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), expressed her creativity and appreciation in a school writing project.

The Background: A Family’s Journey

The Mensahs have always been a middle-income family struggling, like many others, to raise their children with dignity and aspiration. Their first child, Linda Mensah, now 23 years old, is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English Education at UEW – Ajumako Campus. She is a bright, ambitious young woman, known in the community for her intelligence and humility.

Her mother, Rebecca, is a trader who sells vegetables at the local market. She is soft-spoken, respectful, and nurturing. Joseph, the father, works as a transport operator. He is a strict man who believes in traditional discipline and authority. Over the years, he has contributed immensely to his children’s education, often reminding them of the sacrifices he makes to ensure they reach higher ground.

Despite his efforts, Joseph has also developed a reputation for being short-tempered, emotionally distant, and occasionally aggressive, especially when he feels disrespected or overlooked.

The Creative Writing Assignment That Changed Everything

In the second semester of her third year at UEW, Linda received a creative writing assignment in her Advanced Composition class. The topic was broad: “Write about someone who has impacted your life significantly and how their influence shaped your character.” The professor encouraged students to be personal and expressive, urging them to explore emotional truth through vivid storytelling.

Linda, without any ill intention, decided to write about her mother. She titled her piece “The Backbone of My Becoming.” In the 1,500-word composition, she described in poignant detail how her mother, Rebecca, had been a consistent emotional anchor throughout her upbringing. She wrote about the days when her mother would walk miles to the market just to make enough money for food, the nights she stayed up helping with homework under the dim light of a kerosene lamp, and the countless moments she gave Linda encouragement when she felt like giving up.

In the essay, Linda included descriptions and even photos of her mother to accompany the piece, which was eventually selected by the department for publication in the university’s student literary journal. Her story was read aloud at the campus Creative Arts Conference, and Linda was praised for her honesty, emotional depth, and storytelling talent.

The Publication—and the Fallout

Excited by her success, Linda returned home during the Easter break with a printed copy of the journal. Her younger siblings and neighbors all gathered to hear her read the story. Rebecca was moved to tears when she heard how her daughter had immortalized her in words. She hugged her daughter and thanked her for the appreciation. The joy was infectious—until Joseph arrived from work.

At first, Joseph listened quietly as Linda read the story again at his request. But as she read line after line, emphasizing her mother’s sacrifices, emotions began to cloud his face. He noticed that his name was not mentioned at all. There was no reference to the school fees he paid, the uniforms he bought, or the days he spent working long hours to meet tuition deadlines.

When Linda finished reading, the room fell silent. Joseph slowly rose from his chair and asked coldly, “So I do not exist in this family?” Nobody responded. He then turned to Rebecca and said, “You’ve been feeding her lies about me, haven’t you?”

Rebecca tried to explain that she had no idea what Linda was going to write. She told him that Linda had simply written from her heart, based on what she remembered and felt. But Joseph was already consumed by rage.

The Assault

Later that evening, the joy in the Mensah household turned to horror. Joseph waited until the children had gone to bed, then confronted Rebecca again. He accused her of poisoning their daughter’s mind, of making him look like a stranger in his own family. Rebecca tried to reason with him, but her words only seemed to enrage him further.

The neighbors later reported hearing a loud crash, followed by a scream. Joseph had struck Rebecca across the face with the back of his hand. She stumbled into a chair and fell, hitting her elbow. He kicked her while yelling, “You want the world to think I’ve done nothing? Let them write about this too!”

Rebecca’s screams woke the neighbors, and soon people rushed into the house to restrain Joseph. By then, Rebecca’s face was swollen, her lip bleeding, and her body trembling with fear and shame.

Community Response

The next day, community members gathered in support of Rebecca. The Assemblyman, the pastor of their church, and leaders from the local women’s association came to speak with the family. They encouraged Rebecca to seek medical attention and report the incident to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service.

Some urged Linda to speak to her department head at UEW, who later assured her of the university’s support. The Department of English Education issued a statement condemning all forms of domestic violence and praised Linda for her courage in writing truthfully.

Meanwhile, Joseph refused to apologize, claiming that he was “provoked” and “disrespected in his own home.” He insisted that the story made him look like a failure, even though he had done his part as a father.

A Mother’s Pain and Strength

Despite her injuries, Rebecca has continued to defend her daughter. “She wrote what she felt,” she told one of the reporters who visited the house. “Linda didn’t mean to hurt anyone. She was just speaking from her heart. If that heart saw me more often, it is not because I did more, but maybe because I was present in ways her father wasn’t.”

Rebecca’s words struck a chord. Many in the community—especially women—have come forward to share similar experiences. They spoke of fathers who contributed financially but were emotionally absent; who saw their role as ending at the payment of school fees, forgetting that children also need warmth, affection, and attention.

The Bigger Picture

This incident has sparked broader conversations on social media, in churches, and at schools. Linda’s story and her mother’s assault have become symbols of a painful yet necessary conversation in Ghanaian society: What does true fatherhood mean? Can money replace presence? And why does acknowledgment of one parent feel like betrayal to the other?

Psychologists and educators from UEW and beyond have weighed in, emphasizing that children write and remember based on emotional memory. If a child recalls a mother’s touch, her sacrifice, her words of encouragement, it does not mean the father’s financial input is forgotten—it simply means the child has felt the mother’s influence more directly.

Legal and Institutional Support

As of now, a formal complaint has been filed with the police. Rebecca has received counseling and legal guidance from a local NGO that specializes in protecting women and children from abuse. The University of Education, Winneba, through its Gender and Counseling Unit, has expressed readiness to support Linda emotionally and academically during this turbulent period.

Rebecca’s story has also prompted the Women’s Ministry in her church to begin a campaign titled “Seen and Heard,” aimed at empowering women to tell their stories and stand against domestic violence, no matter the source.

Moving Forward

Linda, although shaken by the ordeal, has not lost her voice. She recently published a follow-up piece titled “Words I Never Meant to Harm,” where she expressed her love for both parents and her regret that her creative writing, meant to honor one, led to the suffering of another.

In that piece, she wrote:

“I wrote about the light I saw because it guided me. But it doesn’t mean I didn’t notice the roof over my head. I just wrote about the hand I held, not the wall that stood behind me. I never thought appreciation could become ammunition. I still love you, Daddy. I just needed to say thank you to Mummy.”

Her words have since gone viral on social media, with many praising her maturity and emotional wisdom.

Conclusion

This incident must not be swept under the rug. It is not merely about a father’s bruised ego or a child’s literary expression. It is about a society that needs to redefine parental roles, emotional support, and the limits of authority. No one should ever suffer violence for being appreciated. And no story—no matter how truthful or personal—should ever end in blood.

As neighbors, friends, and fellow citizens, we must raise our voices against such acts of injustice. Creative writing is not a crime. Telling your truth is not betrayal. And love, when expressed through words, should never provoke violence.

Rebecca Mensah’s wounds will heal. But her story, and Linda’s, must remain as a reminder that in every home, all contributions matter—and all voices deserve respect.

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