
Theodora Acquaah
January 2025
Theodora
Acquaah
,
RN
Maamobi Hospital, Accta Community Axillary Clinical
Nursing and Midwifery, Ghana Health Service
Ghana
Theodora's dedication to mentoring adolescent females extends far beyond mere numbers; it's about the profound impact she's had on the lives of over two hundred teenage girls within the Maamobi community.
Before I met Aunt Theo, I carried my daughter on my back, always sad, seeking support everywhere for my child. As a mother of a child suffering from spina bifida from birth, which has affected her gait as she couldn’t walk on her own, after coming into contact with Theo, she went above and beyond her nursing duties to assist my daughter and me in finding hope and joy again. I remember, struck in awe, I kept asking myself the question, “What kind of nurse is this woman.”
The empathy she showed my daughter and me will be imprinted on my mind for the rest of my life. Not only did she provide me with a positive assurance, but she went ahead to arrange for us anywhere we could find orthopedic help, went everywhere my daughter was referred to, and stayed with us until my daughter went through the operation to correct her abnormality. She changed my story from sorrow to joy. We had been looking for help, but we didn’t find one. When we were introduced to Nurse Theo, the first thing she did was buy my daughter a Learning Tablet to assist her in studying on her own at home. This enabled her to take her mind away from her suffering, and she began speaking good English. I thank God we met Nurse Theo. Through her counseling and support, we got access to Nsawam Orthopedic Hospital, from where we were referred to Akwatia St Dominic Hospital. Theo influenced the booking for our surgery. Her counseling, financial support, and emotional help enabled me and my daughter to accept to undergo the amputation process.
I can recall very vividly our first night at Akwatia, where we were referred to the St Dominics Hospital for surgery to correct my daughter’s disability. We didn’t know where we were going to spend the night, but again, Nurse Theo smiled at me when I appeared worried and immediately took us to a hotel and got us rooms to spend the night. It was my first time sleeping in an air-conditioned room. Her smiles always gave me hope and relaxed my anxious nerves
Theo was there to support me financially and mentally. Thank God, and thanks to Theo, my daughter has had a successful operation, and she is recovering. Theo is always around to support us.
***
As a Principal Community Health nurse, Theodora Abaka Acquaah’s story is one of resilience and triumph, a testament to the power of compassion and the unwavering spirit of individual and community support. In many homes within the Maamobi Community in Accra, Theodora Abaka Acquaah stands as a guardian angel, lighting the way towards a future where every young girl is liberated from early marriage, teenage pregnancy, and disabilities to get on the road towards a bright future. She has embarked on a remarkable journey that has touched countless lives of adolescents and reshaped her community for the better. Theodora's dedication to mentoring adolescent females extends far beyond mere numbers; it's about the profound impact she's had on the lives of over two hundred teenage girls within the Maamobi community.
In a typical Moslem community, Theo, as she is affectionately called, a Christian, has broken cultural and religious barriers to defy fears and expectations. She has used her resources to purchase sanitary pads for use by the young girls to manage their menses. She has also authored a book titled “Cycle of Confidence: A Comprehensive Guide for Menstrual Health and Hygiene" that serves as reference material for young girls who may find it difficult to discuss their menstrual and reproductive health issues with their parents.
Her approach is hands-on and community-focused. Theodora tirelessly moves from one neighborhood to another, knocking on doors and engaging directly with young females. Through these personal interactions, she provides vital information about the risks associated with teenage pregnancy and emphasizes the importance of menstrual health.
The empathy she showed my daughter and me will be imprinted on my mind for the rest of my life. Not only did she provide me with a positive assurance, but she went ahead to arrange for us anywhere we could find orthopedic help, went everywhere my daughter was referred to, and stayed with us until my daughter went through the operation to correct her abnormality. She changed my story from sorrow to joy. We had been looking for help, but we didn’t find one. When we were introduced to Nurse Theo, the first thing she did was buy my daughter a Learning Tablet to assist her in studying on her own at home. This enabled her to take her mind away from her suffering, and she began speaking good English. I thank God we met Nurse Theo. Through her counseling and support, we got access to Nsawam Orthopedic Hospital, from where we were referred to Akwatia St Dominic Hospital. Theo influenced the booking for our surgery. Her counseling, financial support, and emotional help enabled me and my daughter to accept to undergo the amputation process.
I can recall very vividly our first night at Akwatia, where we were referred to the St Dominics Hospital for surgery to correct my daughter’s disability. We didn’t know where we were going to spend the night, but again, Nurse Theo smiled at me when I appeared worried and immediately took us to a hotel and got us rooms to spend the night. It was my first time sleeping in an air-conditioned room. Her smiles always gave me hope and relaxed my anxious nerves
Theo was there to support me financially and mentally. Thank God, and thanks to Theo, my daughter has had a successful operation, and she is recovering. Theo is always around to support us.
***
As a Principal Community Health nurse, Theodora Abaka Acquaah’s story is one of resilience and triumph, a testament to the power of compassion and the unwavering spirit of individual and community support. In many homes within the Maamobi Community in Accra, Theodora Abaka Acquaah stands as a guardian angel, lighting the way towards a future where every young girl is liberated from early marriage, teenage pregnancy, and disabilities to get on the road towards a bright future. She has embarked on a remarkable journey that has touched countless lives of adolescents and reshaped her community for the better. Theodora's dedication to mentoring adolescent females extends far beyond mere numbers; it's about the profound impact she's had on the lives of over two hundred teenage girls within the Maamobi community.
In a typical Moslem community, Theo, as she is affectionately called, a Christian, has broken cultural and religious barriers to defy fears and expectations. She has used her resources to purchase sanitary pads for use by the young girls to manage their menses. She has also authored a book titled “Cycle of Confidence: A Comprehensive Guide for Menstrual Health and Hygiene" that serves as reference material for young girls who may find it difficult to discuss their menstrual and reproductive health issues with their parents.
Her approach is hands-on and community-focused. Theodora tirelessly moves from one neighborhood to another, knocking on doors and engaging directly with young females. Through these personal interactions, she provides vital information about the risks associated with teenage pregnancy and emphasizes the importance of menstrual health.