The Little Load Girl (A Poem) To: The Presidents of the Fourth Republic
Dear Mr. President,
I am that little load girl
With a great story to tell
I face daily many struggles
And sometimes I face them not alone
Hey little baby, struggle or bubble, you are my own
I am human, I am Ghanaian
Dear Mr. President,
I am beautiful and ought to be cheerful
But situations seem to have made me sorrowful
I am as elegant as any of your daughters
I am your daughter too but live as though you cared less
I am human I am Ghanaian
Dear Mr. President,
I do not so easily choose this load girl reality
I simply live in Ghana’s socio-economic reality.
I am deprived by my location of birth, education and economic opportunity.
Deprived, I am of opportunities to break this caste and be as elegant as yours.
I am sure not lazy; I stay busy to keep a daily livelihood.
And like I said, sometimes I’m not alone
Hey little baby, struggle or bubble, you are my own
I am Human, I am Ghanaian
Dear Mr. President,
You wear a huge cap
One you acquired with promises you did not cap
Each four-year cycle
You walk me through a promise circle
You promise me decent shelters
You promise me sustainable careers
You promise me minimum wages
Yet still I live in cages
I am human I am Ghanaian.
Dear Mr. President,
I have always lived under the illusion
That your omission
in honouring your promises
is because you lacked resources
But hold it! I am damn angry
It’s just been a liar’s story.
A necessary lockdown, I work not!
no wage, I hunger, I see you not!
Empty schools, you make no room
At least I would have had some decency of a night sleep
An opportunity to show me temporary love
And assure me that when you can, you love
Yet you do not.
I am human, I am Ghanaian
Dear Mr. President,
Now I know, I’m worth just a thumb
To the politicians I’m just a statistic to cram
You can V8
But can’t elevate
A vicious load girl cycle I now perpetuate
Load girl birthing load girl
Living daily the risk of rape
Living daily the uncertainty of my survival
Hey little baby, I wish you never become me
But I have no assurances
For as things stand
I am the deposed of the land
Your Excellencies,
I am human
I am Ghanaian
I am your DAUGHTER TOO!
Asana, the load girl.