I had initially chosen electrical engineering because I wanted to be in the same programme as my friend, Akua Asante. However, my dad encouraged me, noting the success of many women civil engineers at the Ministry of Roads and Highways, including a set of twins from Holy Child School who had worked with him. This led me to pursue civil engineering at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi. I was fortunate to be among many exceptionally smart students in my class. Though I wasn’t at the very top, I still graduated with a commendable second-class upper division. Love Comes Knocking “Monica, these people say they have seen a beautiful flower in this house and have come to pluck it. Upon looking around, I noticed that you are the flower they are referring to,” my father said, making me smile shyly. Meanwhile, my other relatives, resplendently dressed, were singing my praises in the background: “Our beautiful slim thread!” “Beauty stick!” Ernest, my fiancé, looked at me as if he had never seen me before. His family members were exclaiming, “Beautiful daughter-in-law!” On the ground in front of my parents and other elders were many wrapped packages; gifts from the groom. “Monica,” my father continued, “look at all these things they have brought to ask for your hand inmarriage. I have told them you won’t go because you will miss me and your mother very much, but they insist. That is why I have called you here to find out whether we should accept the items.” I wanted to laugh. My dad was funny. “Please accept the gifts,” I said shyly, and the room erupted in cheers. That was how I got traditionally married to Ernest. I first met Ernest through some girlfriends. Weeks later, I discovered that this post-university national service person attended the same church as my father and I. We became close friends, especially as we were both in the youth ministry and taught Sunday school together. By my first year at university, I was already in a relationship with Ernest. We dated for six years, mainly to get to know each other better and to allow me to complete my studies before getting married. We had our traditional marriage while I was in my final year at the university. 18 The Birthday Journal
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