Beauty is pain; the weight of society on the African woman.
Waking up to the crow of the community rooster miles away,
Responsibilities like pot of wine on the head of the African woman.
She rises in the dim light of dawn, expectant eyes ready to pinpoint at the break of dawn.
Adjoa, the chores;
Abena, the food;
Akua, be courteous;
Yaa, dress like a lady;
Afia, when are you going to marry;
Ama, you are aging;
Esi, my grandchildren;
Ears burdened with faint whispers and expressions of displeasure and expectations.
She turns to the large mirror, a family heirloom, embodied with the grace of all caretakers of the household,
a reminder of the future, image of the present and the preservation of the past.
O, her skin is patched up dry, wrinkles and dark spots making party on their face, clavicles showing its head, hills of softness on the chest taking centuries to develop, caves of the moon imitating the plain sheets she scribbles on.
Questions tend to echo loudly in her mind, comparing her physique to the standard of beauty in society, an hourglass with a face of the moon.
She has a durbar to attend, finest warriors will be looking;
Her clothes clenched tight, corseting dreams.
Face of canvas and clay, marked fatigue with a touch of mascara and concealer; a ritual she has to make; a sacrifice of a true self.
She does not eat; fear of a pregnant portrait; goes extra miles to look like the perfect lady society graces.
In her quest, she asks, Is this enough? Am I enough?
But beneath the canvas and cosette; beyond the pain and fatigue, lies a soul, pure and whole. Her worth unquantified.
Love in her eyes, kindness in words, beauty in laughter, courage in perseverance.
In the stories of her scars, we see her empowerment. Empowerment is embracing every flaw, appreciating every curve, the beauty in authenticity.
The pain in societal beauty, joy in self worth.
About Me
I’m Daniel Amenyo Ablordey, a writer, editor, and emerging business strategist from Accra. My work sits at the intersection of storytelling, critical thought, and social impact. I publish content that informs, challenges assumptions, and sparks meaningful conversation within African and global contexts.
I lead conversations on mental health awareness, personal development, culture, and sustainability, grounded in research and real‑world perspective. I don’t just write, I engage audiences, build communities, and elevate underrepresented voices.
I bring a strategic mindset to editorial work, blending analytical thinking with compelling narrative, whether breaking down complex ideas or crafting content that resonates across digital platforms. I’m passionate about mental health advocacy, creative expression, and leveraging media to drive positive societal change.
Outside of writing, I’m constantly exploring ways to connect data, culture, and leadership to create sustainable impact in Africa’s evolving media and business landscape.
Does Honey Really Enhance Intelligence?