Life’s stresses: Public urged to promote family value system to provide support

The public is being urged to re-examine and embrace positive family values that promote responsibility and community cohesion, necessary to make a huge difference in navigating life's ups and downs.

The breakdown of traditional family structures and values had not only been linked to various social issues including increased crime rates, substance abuse, and youth delinquency but also broader public health implications such as isolation and loneliness.

The Ghana News Agency interviewed some traditional leaders at the back of a December 16, 2025 incident, where an elderly man, likely in his mid-60s set himself ablaze, using petrol at a family house he lived in with other family members, at SDA Down in Fiave Electoral Area, Ho.

The man, Mr Atsu Vieku who died three days later, was a fitter, an alcoholic (stopping at a point) who had no wife and children and was reported to have on several occasions mentioned that he would burn himself to death with petrol “to end it all.”

Torgbui Ahorgo I, Chief of Atiavi in the Keta Municipality and Manager of Ho FM, based in the Volta Regional capital said he suspected a breakdown in the traditional family system as the possible explanation for the unfortunate incident.

He said the family was supposed to be a support system to provide emotional, financial and practical help, offering a sense of belonging and security.

Torgbui Ahorgo said: “This was someone who raised alarms – not once, not twice that he was going to kill himself. He even was so specific that he'd use petrol to set himself on fire.

“The family heard this, saw him with a bottle of petrol but they all waited until he executed what he had in his mind. It's unfortunate because the family should be in a position to assist us in those difficult times.

“We all go through difficult times, but if you have people who are close, loved ones with you, they should be able to detect what you are going through, and when you even have suicide thoughts, they should be able to assist you, calm you down and help with a professional advice. I believe strongly that if this man were to have a wife and children, he would not have ended this way.”

Torgbui Ahorgo advised the public not to give up too easily on life, a precious gift but to keep hoping for better days.

“For all you know, help may come after all. In fact, it is said that the only gift we have is life. Any other thing is an addition from God. So, once you have life, it may be difficult, but at least you have it and somebody can just come to help you out of that situation,” he said.

One Queen, who asked to be anonymous, said: “This is heartbreaking. I cannot fathom what exactly could have led to this as no one is an island. Perhaps the man had a mental issue, committed some heinous crime against his family members or something else.

“Because burns from cooking alone can be painful and imagining being charred from intense flames.”

GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah