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A 54-year-old woman, Afua Kesse-Amponsah, has spoken publicly for the first time about what she describes as decades of severe abuse by her father, bringing to an end nearly half a century of silence.
In an emotional interview with JoyNews, Kesse-Amponsah said her childhood changed permanently when her father assumed full custody of her at the age of two. Born in 1971 to an Irish mother and a Ghanaian father, she explained that the abuse began early and steadily intensified over the years.
She alleged that her father initially targeted her for being left-handed, claiming cultural beliefs were used to justify repeated punishment aimed at forcing her to change. What began as physical punishment, she said, later became sustained and extreme abuse that left her with long-term physical and psychological consequences.
According to Kesse-Amponsah, the violence she endured throughout childhood resulted in serious injuries and lasting memory loss, preventing her from fully understanding or processing the extent of what was happening to her at the time.
She further claimed that after beatings, her father would give her medication intended to reduce visible signs of injury, a practice she believes caused additional internal health complications that persist today.
Now living with permanent disabilities, Kesse-Amponsah said she later received specialist care at St Thomas’ Hospital, where she was diagnosed with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), a condition linked to prolonged and repeated trauma.
She disclosed that she reported the abuse to UK police as a historical child abuse case. However, no prosecution was possible because her father had already passed away. The complaint, she said, remains officially recorded.
Kesse-Amponsah is now seeking accountability from institutions she believes failed in their duty of care, including schools and public authorities responsible for safeguarding her welfare during childhood.
Beyond her personal story, she used the interview to strongly condemn corporal punishment and violent disciplinary practices, particularly those justified by tradition or religion. She urged parents and caregivers to adopt nonviolent forms of discipline and to recognise children as individuals with rights and dignity.
Her testimony has reignited public discussion on child protection, institutional accountability, and the long-term impact of abuse, highlighting the need for stronger safeguards and cultural change.
