‘He Subjected Me to Constant, Severe, Chronic Violence’ — A Woman Breaks 50-Year Silence on Alleged Abuse by Pastor Father

In a profound and harrowing act of courage, Afua Kesse-Amponsah, now 54, has publicly disclosed for the first time the decades of alleged systematic abuse she endured at the hands of her late father, a man who later became a prominent church pastor. Her story is not merely a personal testimony but a searing indictment of cultural norms, a chronicle of severe physical trauma, and a stark examination of institutional systems that failed to protect a vulnerable child. This detailed account explores her journey from a two-year-old victim to a survivor advocating for accountability, the complex psychological aftermath of her experiences, and the legal realities facing survivors of historical abuse.

Introduction: The Unsilencing of a Survivor

For half a century, the details of Afua Kesse-Amponsah’s childhood were locked behind a wall of trauma, amnesia, and fear. Her decision to speak publicly represents a critical moment in the discourse surrounding child abuse within religious and cultural communities. Her allegations point to a catastrophic failure by multiple protective systems—family, school, social services, and the church—to intervene on behalf of a visibly injured child. This article reconstructs her narrative based on her reported statements, contextualizes it within broader frameworks of trauma, cultural discipline, and legal justice, and provides resources and analysis for readers seeking to understand the complexities of such cases.

Key Points: A Summary of the Allegations and Journey

Before delving into the full narrative, the core elements of Ms. Kesse-Amponsah’s account are:

The Alleged Perpetrator: Her late Ghanaian father, who later became a pastor.
The Victim: Afua Kesse-Amponsah, of Irish and Ghanaian heritage, from age 2 onward.
The Nature of Abuse: Chronic, severe physical violence, including bone-breaking assaults, forced ingestion of aspirin to mask injuries, and what she describes as a campaign to change her left-handedness.
Physical Consequences: Multiple skull fractures, a broken spine, pelvic fracture, shattered thigh bone, broken ankle, sternum fracture, internal bleeding, and chronic ulcers.
Psychological Diagnosis: Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), a condition arising from prolonged, repeated trauma with symptoms including flashbacks and memory loss.
Legal Status: Reported to UK police as a historical case; no prosecution possible due to the perpetrator’s death. Advice was given to pursue institutional liability.
Current Advocacy: Challenging cultural justifications for corporal punishment, specifically critiquing the misinterpretation of “spare the rod” proverbs, and holding schools and councils accountable for duty-of-care failures.

Background: Cultural Context and the Onset of Alleged Abuse

The Crossroads of Heritage and Custody

Born in 1971 to an Irish mother and a Ghanaian father, Afua’s early life was shaped by a transatlantic cultural landscape. The pivotal, tragic turn occurred at age two when her father gained custody. According to her account, this decision was allegedly driven by his desire to secure a passport and social benefits, not a paternal instinct, as she states he “disliked children.” This sets a chilling precedent for the power dynamics that would define her childhood.

Cultural Norms and the “Left-Hand” Taboo

A central, specific allegation involves her father’s obsession with converting her from left-handed to right-handed. She cites a cultural stigma within some Akan (a major Ghanaian ethnic group) traditions against using the left hand for certain tasks, viewing it as disrespectful or unclean. While this is a documented cultural nuance, she frames her father’s response as a violent “crime” he was “determined to fix.” This allegation highlights how cultural beliefs, when taken to extremes and fused with a desire for control, can morph into a justification for extreme corporal punishment and abuse. It underscores a critical distinction: cultural practice does not mandate violence, and many within Ghanaian and diaspora communities practice discipline without physical brutality.

Analysis: The Anatomy of the Alleged Abuse and Its Aftermath

The Escalation of Violence: From Discipline to Torture

Ms. Kesse-Amponsah’s description moves beyond corporal punishment into the realm of systematic torture. The initial beatings to change her handedness allegedly escalated into a pattern of “constant, serious, chronic violence.” The sheer volume and severity of the physical injuries she lists—multiple skull fractures, spinal cracks, pelvic and thigh bone breaks—are medically consistent with repeated, high-force trauma over many years. The allegation that her father broke her hand first is a specific, corroborative detail that suggests a calculated effort to inflict pain to change behavior.

The Cover-Up: Medical Sabotage and Concealment

One of the most disturbing aspects of her account is the alleged method of hiding the abuse. She states her father forced her to drink powdered aspirin in water on an empty stomach after beatings. Medically, aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is an anti-inflammatory and blood thinner. Giving it on an empty stomach can cause severe gastric irritation, ulcers, and internal bleeding. This aligns with her reported diagnosis of ulcers “throughout my body” and “bleeding internally since I was five.” The purpose was twofold: to reduce visible swelling from fractures, and to create an internal medical condition that might complicate or distract from the diagnosis of external trauma. This demonstrates a premeditated, long-term strategy to evade detection.

The Psychological Wounds: Complex PTSD and Dissociation

The physical scars are matched, if not surpassed, by the psychological damage. Her treatment at St. Thomas’ Hospital for Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) is a crucial diagnostic detail. Unlike PTSD from a single event, CPTSD stems from prolonged, repeated trauma (like ongoing child abuse) where the victim feels trapped. Key symptoms include:

Emotional Dysregulation: Intense anger, sadness, or numbness.
Negative Self-Concept: Feelings of shame, guilt, and being permanently damaged.
Interpersonal Difficulties: Problems with trust and relationships.
Dissociation: Her statement, “I live in the seventies,” points to fugue states or a fragmented sense of self and time, common in CPTSD as the mind copes by compartmentalizing trauma.

Her phrase, “I have no life of my own,” poignantly captures the theft of identity that prolonged abuse perpetrates. The amnesia resulting from skull fractures further complicated her ability to process and report the trauma.

Practical Advice: For Survivors and Communities

Ms. Kesse-Amponsah’s story, while extreme, points to systemic issues survivors and communities must address.

For Survivors of Historical Abuse

Reporting is Still Important: Even if the perpetrator is deceased, reporting to police (as she did) creates an official record. This can be vital for future inquiries, historical abuse investigations, and civil cases.
Understanding Legal Pathways: As advised by police, focus can shift to institutional liability. Schools, hospitals, local councils, and religious organizations have a “duty of care.” If they had knowledge or should have had knowledge of abuse (e.g., a child with repeated unexplained injuries) and failed to act, they can be held accountable in civil court.
Seek Specialized Trauma Therapy: CPTSD requires therapists trained in trauma, particularly modalities like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) or somatic experiencing that address stored trauma in the body and mind.
Document Everything: Keep a journal of memories, symptoms, and the abuse’s impact on your life. This is crucial for any legal or therapeutic process.

For Communities (With a Focus on Ghanaian and Faith-Based Communities)

Re-examine “Discipline” Doctrine: The survivor’s direct challenge to the “spare the rod and spoil the child” proverb is critical. This phrase, from the Book of Proverbs, is often cited out of context. Many theologians and child development experts argue it refers to guidance and correction, not physical violence. Communities must explicitly condemn violent punishment and promote positive, non-violent discipline strategies.
Break the Code of Silence: Abuse thrives in secrecy. Religious and cultural leaders must create safe, confidential channels for reporting and unequivocally support victims over perpetrators, regardless of status.
Mandatory Reporting Training: Ensure all teachers, religious leaders, and community elders understand their legal and moral mandatory reporting duties regarding suspected child abuse. In the UK, for example, certain professionals are legally required to report.
Support, Don’t Stigmatize: Survivors often face community pressure to “forgive and forget” or protect family reputation. True support means believing the survivor, validating their experience, and supporting their healing journey, which may include legal action.

FAQ: Common Questions About This Case and Historical Abuse

Can a survivor sue if the abuser is dead?

Yes, but not against the abuser’s estate for criminal charges. The primary legal avenue becomes civil litigation against institutions (e.g., the school that failed to report injuries, the local council’s social services department, the church organization). The survivor must prove the institution had a duty of care, breached it, and this breach caused harm. The statute of limitations for historical abuse claims is often extended, recognizing that trauma can delay recognition and reporting.

What is Complex PTSD (CPTSD) and how is it different from regular PTSD?

PTSD typically follows a single traumatic event. CPTSD, recognized in the ICD-11 (World Health Organization’s diagnostic manual), results from chronic, repeated trauma, especially where the victim feels trapped with no escape (like a child in a home). It includes all PTSD symptoms (flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance) plus disturbances in self-organization: emotional dysregulation, persistent feelings of shame or worthlessness, and difficulty in relationships. It requires longer-term, specialized therapeutic approaches.

Is “spare the rod” a valid reason for corporal punishment in Ghanaian culture?

This is a point of intense debate. The proverb is a biblical reference (Proverbs 13:24) whose interpretation varies widely. Many Ghanaian parents and scholars argue that “rod” symbolizes guidance and correction, not a physical instrument. Ghanaian law, like that of the UK and most countries, prohibits violence against children. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by Ghana, mandates protection from all forms of physical or mental violence. Using culture or religion to justify violence is increasingly challenged both legally and ethically within Ghana and the diaspora.

What should I do if I suspect a child is being abused?

In the UK, you should report immediately to your local council’s Children’s Services (Social Services) or to the police (non-emergency 101). You do not need absolute proof; reasonable suspicion is enough. If you are a professional (teacher, doctor, pastor), you have a mandatory duty to report. In an emergency where the child is in immediate danger, call 999. You can also contact the NSPCC helpline (0808 800 5000) for advice.

How common is abuse by authority figures like pastors?

While precise statistics are hard to gather due to underreporting, numerous inquiries (like the UK’s Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse – IICSA) have documented widespread abuse in religious institutions. The combination of trust, authority, and often isolated settings creates a high-risk environment. Physical abuse, as alleged here, is also a significant concern. The survivor’s case highlights that abuse can come from a figure revered by a community, making disclosure even harder.

Conclusion: Beyond One Story, a Call for Systemic Change

Afua Kesse-Amponsah’s narrative is a monumental testament to survival. Her allegations paint a picture of a childhood stolen by a caregiver who wielded violence as a tool of control, allegedly aided by a community’s blindness and institutions’ inaction. Her journey from a broken child to a woman diagnosed with CPTSD, now wielding her voice as a weapon against complacency, is a powerful lesson.

This case transcends the specifics of one family. It forces a confrontation with several universal truths: that child abuse knows no cultural, racial, or religious monopoly; that the trauma of prolonged abuse is profound and lifelong; that the statute of limitations on justice must not equate to a statute of limitations on truth and accountability; and that institutions—be they schools, churches, or councils—must be vigilant, proactive, and prioritize child safety over reputation or deference.

Her final plea—to stop using “spare the rod” as a shield for violence and to treat children with the inherent dignity all humans deserve—is the simplest and most radical takeaway. The legacy of her suffering must be a renewed, unwavering commitment to protecting the vulnerable and believing survivors when they find the strength, often decades later, to speak the truth. The silence she has broken now demands that we, as a society, listen and act.

Sources and Further Reading

The primary source for this article is the original news report published by Life Pulse Daily on February 17, 2026, featuring the direct quotes and allegations of Afua Kesse-Amponsah. All medical descriptions (CPTSD, effects of aspirin, injury types) are based on standard clinical understanding. For context and verification:

World Health Organization (WHO): Diagnostic criteria for Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (ICD-11).
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC): Information on child abuse definitions, signs, and reporting in the UK.
Ghana Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560): Legislation protecting the rights and welfare of children in Ghana.
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC): The foundational international treaty on child rights, ratified by Ghana and the UK.
Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA): Reports on abuse in religious and other institutional settings in England and Wales.
Academic Research: Studies on the long-term effects of childhood physical abuse and the neurobiology of trauma (e.g., work by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk).

Disclaimer: The allegations presented are those of Afua Kesse-Amponsah as reported by Life Pulse Daily. Her father is deceased and was never criminally charged or convicted in relation to these claims. This article seeks to analyze the survivor’s account within legal, medical, and social frameworks. The views expressed by the survivor are her own.