In a poignant revelation, Kumawood actress turned evangelist Gloria Kani has opened up about the hurdles she and other single mothers face, attributing many of these struggles to the actions of men.
Through her story, Gloria sheds light on the deeply ingrained stigma against single mothers in Ghana, often disparagingly labeled as “born one” or “born two” based on their children.
The challenges of single motherhood, she emphasized, are only amplified by these stereotypes, making it difficult for women to find fulfilling relationships or consider marriage.
Gloria’s journey into single motherhood began under difficult circumstances. As she recounted in a video with One Ghana TV, her life took an unexpected turn when she became pregnant with her first child while still a student.
She explained, “I was a young woman in school with dreams, but I put everything on hold to care for my unborn child. The father continued his education, even as I stayed behind to raise our baby,” she shared, her voice heavy with emotion. Despite her sacrifices, she says, the father abandoned them both. “It’s painful to invest in someone, to support their family, only for them to turn their back when you need them most,” Gloria recounted.
Her story highlights a harsh reality for many single mothers: the lack of accountability from partners who often continue their lives uninterrupted while the women are left to bear the brunt of single parenting.
This man, now a prominent figure, left her, she claims, with little more than a string of memories and a child to care for alone.
As Gloria ventured into a new relationship, she faced fresh struggles. Her second partner, she says, had his own reservations due to her having a child with another man. “I thought he could see past my circumstances, but he couldn’t,” she confessed.
This new relationship ended, leaving her with two children from two different men. “Some people judge me because I have two children with two men,” she stated. “But no one sees the battles I fought, the sacrifices I made. All they see are the labels.”
Her words reflect a systemic issue within Ghanaian society where single mothers often carry the stigma of their situation.
The very men who refuse to marry single mothers are often the ones who contributed to their single parenthood, Gloria argued.
“Why is it that men can walk away freely, but women are left with all the judgment?” she questioned, calling out the double standard.
In a bid to shield other women from similar challenges, Gloria had a clear message: avoid financially unstable men. “I’m telling you, if a man isn’t financially stable, don’t think of building a life with him,” she advised.
“These men, when they get money, they’ll leave you and start afresh with someone else. Why should we be left to pick up the pieces of broken dreams?”
Her story is a clarion call to women to be discerning in relationships, especially those that may lead to single parenthood. “Don’t be swayed by love alone; look at where the man is headed in life. I’ve walked that road. I know how it ends,” she warned.
