Ghanaian woman speaks out on years of abuse and custody battle with influential ex-partner

Karen Baaba Sam, a young Ghanaian woman, has shared her story of abuse. She endured physical, verbal, and emotional mistreatment from her ex-partner, Nana Kwadwo Adjei. Her experiences began in 2016 and led to a custody battle over their daughter, Ohemaa.

Karen met Nana in 2016. Initially, their relationship seemed loving and protective. However, things changed when she became pregnant in 2018. Nana appeared excited about the pregnancy since his other children lived abroad. But problems arose when his second son moved in and left due to abuse.

The first incident of domestic violence occurred in December 2018. Nana returned home drunk and attacked Karen after she questioned him. He slapped and kicked her, including her pregnant belly. “I was more scared for my unborn child than for myself,” she said. A friend intervened that night, but Nana later apologized.

Over the years, Karen faced repeated assaults that left her with black eyes and swollen face. Despite her brother reporting the abuse to police, no action was taken. Karen claims Nana boasted about his influence over law enforcement.

In April 2023, Karen saw Nana at a restaurant with another woman. When she tried to leave with him, the woman publicly humiliated her while he did nothing. Afterward, he attacked Karen again at home in front of their daughter.

Two family friends who tried to help were also assaulted during this incident. In the chaos, Nana even kicked their daughter, causing her to fall and cry. Determined to escape the abuse, Karen ended the relationship in December 2023.

Nana responded with threats and demanded back all gifts he had given her. Fearing further violence, Karen moved out in February 2024. On her first night at the new place, robbers stole all her valuables at gunpoint.

She found it suspicious that they missed one specific necklace that Nana wanted back. Authorities suspected someone close to her was involved and provided police protection for Karen.

Soon after moving out, Nana requested their daughter for two weeks during school holidays. Karen agreed but soon faced harassment from him accusing her of seeing another man.

Things escalated when he refused to return their daughter after two weeks as planned. Security officials intercepted him at the airport before he could leave with the child under false pretenses of a trip to Dubai.

After six weeks apart from Ohemaa, they were reunited; however, she had been misled into thinking they were going on vacation together. A Circuit Court initially granted protective custody to Karen but a lower District Court later ruled otherwise.

This decision shocked Karen as Ohemaa had lost weight and cried often for her mother during separation. Reports indicated that Nana left their daughter with a 16-year-old girl raising safety concerns.

Karen alleges that Nana used threats and media manipulation against her as well as blackmail tactics involving armed men storming her home with court orders against family members.

In subsequent days, he declared Karen wanted by placing a bounty on her head while publishing photos online to shame her into submission.

He allegedly accessed private information about Karen using his connections within law enforcement agencies too.
Despite seeking help from various institutions over seven years of suffering abuse—emotional or financial—she feels justice remains elusive.

“I left the relationship for my daughter's safety,” she stated firmly but added that both their lives are still at risk.
Now demanding justice for herself and others like her,
Karen vowed: “I refuse to be silenced.”

She is determined to fight for Ohemaa’s safe upbringing despite feeling desperate.
“Nana Kwadwo Adjei is simply an abuser,” she concluded passionately.
“He uses power and money against me but I will not give up.”