Building a New LifeĮli was not there to greed Afi, although he called her every day. Her mother had come with her to bring her to her new husband, and they were both in awe of the place. Richard, the groom’s younger brother, showed her around the new flat, a place grander than any she had been to before. Gifts were given to the family members including the “father”, a role that her uncle relished for this event, her mother, and herself.Īfter the wedding, a driver brought Afi to her new home. Despite this, the wedding was a grand affair, with many gifts brought to the bride’s family by the groom’s, more than the list of what they had requested. He called Afi to tell her he was busy with work and could not get away.

Their plan was for Afi to bring Eli back to his family, away from the “wicked” woman and her (his) “sickly” daughter.Īfi and Eli had a traditional ceremony, a wedding that Eli did not attend. They found her independence and lack of willingness to follow their customs personally offensive.

Eli had met a woman in Liberia and the family did not like her. Both Afi and her mother saw Aunty as a blessing and someone they owed a lot to.Īunty hatched a plan to marry Afi to her middle son, Elikem. Aunty gave her an electric sewing machine as a gift. She apprenticed in a sewing shop and then got work as a local seamstress. When Afi did not qualify to attend a public university, her mother wanted to take a loan, so she could attend a private university.

Later, a rich woman in the community gave her mother a job and a place to stay. Her daughter, Mawusi, was Afi’s best friend. One of his wives allowed them to move in with her. However, he was offended that her mother hadn’t allowed some of his children to stay in her home while his brother was alive. The oldest son, her father’s brother, was expected to provide for them after his father’s death. After Afi’s father’s death, they had to move out of their home, which was provided by her father’s employer. It’s been 10 years since her father died and she and her mother have been on their own. Afi is a young woman living in Ho, outside Accra. His Only Wife is a novel by Peace Adzo Medie.

His only wife novel