Veteran Ghanaian actress and broadcaster, Grace Omaboe, popularly known as Maame Dokono, says she made a deliberate decision to raise all six of her children together, even though they were from three different men.
“They grew up together nicely because I don’t leave my children with the men. When I’m going, I go with them. You’re growing, and while you’re growing, you see that this is your sibling. And that’s because you’ve been together always and know he or she is family,” she said.
Maame Dokono was speaking at A Convergence of Mothers, an event held at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra and organised by media personality, MzGee.
The veteran actress, who had two children with each of her three partners, said she never allowed the dynamics of her relationships to determine how her children were raised.
“I made sure I gave them a good education. While I was growing up, I made sure I took them abroad. One is a medical doctor, and one is an engineer. They went first, and then the twins followed. For the twins, it wasn’t difficult because the other one worked on the documents for the other twin,” she said.
Despite juggling multiple jobs, she maintained a strong bond with each of her children and ensured they never lacked what they needed.
“I was doing about seven jobs at the same time. Whenever I travelled and returned, I bought each of them what they liked. I think because the children were all with me, I was always busy,” she recalled.
Now in her later years, Maame Dokono says her decision to keep her family close was worth every sacrifice. Her advice to single mothers: be present, be intentional, and work hard.
“Work and earn more so you can take care of your children. Never let your children be in need. And no matter what you have, let your children know they should appreciate what they have, no matter how little it is,” she added.
The event, themed “Yesterday’s Daughters, Today’s Mothers,” created a space for intergenerational conversations on motherhood, exploring challenges and lessons across time.
ID/AE
