Nii Ayi Mensah Okropong I, the Niiboiman Mantse, has issued a striking directive to aging parents: charge your adult children rent if they live in your home but refuse to support you.
The traditional leader made the provocative statement during a television show, framing it as both a practical necessity for elderly welfare and a divinely ordained principle. He anchored his argument in the biblical creation story and the lifelong duties of parenthood.
Key Remarks by Nii Ayi Mensah Okropong I
1. Biblical Foundation & Lifelong Parental Duty:** “Look at the beginning – Adam, the first of men, initially had no family,” the Chief stated. “Then came Eve and their children. The man is responsible for the welfare of his family… until the children grow to adulthood or even beyond that period.”
2. The Inversion of Responsibility: He argued that this immense, long-term parental investment creates an inherent obligation for adult children. “Hence the need for you to charge them rent if they
continue to live in your apartment,” he declared emphatically.
3. Reason: The Reality of Aging:** Nii Okropong highlighted the core vulnerability of aging parents as the driving force behind his advice. “Because the more you age, the weaker you become and… you can no longer work hard as you used to do in your Youthful age.”
4. Divine Order: He summarized his position with the assertion, “That’s how God created the world,” positioning the expectation of reciprocal care in adulthood as part of the natural and intended order.
Underlying Message:
The Chief’s call for “rent” serves as a tangible mechanism to address a growing concern: capable adult children residing in the parental home while failing to contribute financially or otherwise to the household, especially as their parents’ ability to earn and maintain the property diminishes. He framed it as a necessary consequence for neglect, not the first option for supportive children facing hardship.
Context & Impact:
As Niiboiman Mantse, Nii Ayi Mensah Okropong I’s pronouncements carry significant cultural weight within the Ga community and resonate with broader Ghanaian values of filial piety (*ɔbɔadeɛ*). His remarks challenge modern individualistic tendencies and directly confront the issue of elder neglect, advocating for a return to traditional responsibilities where adult children actively ensure the dignity and security of their aging parents. While potentially controversial, the statement sparks a crucial conversation about intergenerational support and the practical realities of aging in contemporary society.
By Kingsley Asiedu
