COMMENTARY ON FACELESS

C

OMMENTARY 

ON

       

           FACELESS

 

By

Amma Darko

_{Written by: Reynell Okine-Adjetey}

_{Ghana Senior High, Koforidua}

FACELESS – ^{Amma Darko}

 INTRODUCTION

T

he novel faceless is an attempt to identify how Amma Darko uses prose fiction * as a vehicle to cross-examine the complexities of the Ghanaian women’s lives in relation to culture and gender.

This novel explores feminist insight into Amma Darko’s philosophical reflection on the plight of women and girls in Ghana. The novel plays on the theory assumption that literature is the mirror of society * which tenders different perspectives or viewpoints of problems and their solutions.

Amma darko’s novels reflect the nature, causes and possible solutions to myriad feminist issues confronting Ghanaian females. Darko’s novel provides lenses through which we better understand some of the core cultural contest on feminist issues in Africa as a whole.

 SUMMARY OF FACELESS---------^{AMMA DARKO}

W

hen Maa Tsuru tells Fofo that Baby T’s mutilated body has been found at Agbogbloshie , Fofo sets out to seek justice for her sister’s murder. In a twist of fate ,she runs into Kabria and a non-governmental organization  called MUTE which functions as an intervention library*  for every social, gender and child issues .Kabria takes an interest in Fofo’s case and determines to find out what led to baby T’s death. With the help of Sylv Po , the reporter from Harvest Fm, they work their way into a syndicate led by poison the street lord that trades in child prostitutes ,drugs together with his accomplice , Maami Broni a retired sex worker and is linked to all manners of street crime. 

 In one of the most hostile parts of Accra ,Fofo’s story draws Kabria and her colleagues’ attention to the socio-economic menace that comprises a community of drifters and hustlers in Sodom and Gomorrah ,named after the biblical city that god destroyed due to its numerous sins. Amma Darko’s quest to find how Accra’s squalid Sodom and Gomorrah sprung up out of her old neighborhood  at old Fadama led to a series of revelations that inspired her third novel. The story is also told of a innocent boy who ran away from home to escape the constant brutalities of a drunken father, Poison the street lord is that victim. He grows to become a bully more than his step-father was. The portrait of Naa Yomo is an outstanding case in point. Our initial impression of her as a character with a nuisance value quickly gives way to amusement and ultimately respect. For the women of MUTE, dedicated as they are seeking hidden, even buried information, this 87-year woman is something of a gold mine. Through Naa Yomo ,we get the antecedence of the curse Maa tsuru and her family carries. Although the author uses fictitious names, she narrates what can possibly be described as a real-life event at venues that really exist. Agbogbloshie, Makola market ,Korle Gonno, Abeka, Abossey-Okai and the all- notorious Sodom and Gomorrah in the Greater Accra region of Ghana.

                                                                      

                THE CHARACTERS

               (Characterization)

T

his is the list of characters (dramatis personae) in Faceless which could be divided into major and minor characters.

MAJOR CHARACTERS

1.       Fofo
2.       Kabria
3.       Maa Tsuru
4.       Baby T
5.       Dina
6.       Kwei
7.       Kpakpo
8.       Adade

MINOR CHARACTERS

1.       Macho
2.       Poison
3.       Maami Broni
4.       Mama Abidjan
5.       Sylv Po
6.       Aggie
7.       Vickie
8.       Odarley
9.       Obea
10.       Essie
11.       Ottu
12.       Ms. Kamame

Characterization

1.     Fofo

She

 is the 14 year old daughter of Maa Tsuru and sister to the deceased Baby T. she stopped schooling at a very tender age due to lack of finance. She could be termed as the heroine of the novel. Fofo is very outspoken, kind, caring and hardworking. Despite the fact that she is compelled to go onto the streets by the mere presence of Kpakpo, she perseveres by finding a menial job to do. Her life at a point in time is paralyzed by the fear of the thick-set leader macho and poison the street lord. It is through  the courage of Fofo that the mystery behind baby t’s death is unleashed. After   she experiences the harsh ups and downs of a street child, she undergoes rehabilitation.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

2  Kabria                    

Kabria

 is a married woman who has to shoulder her responsibility of caring for her home together with being competent at her workplace. She faces the difficulties of managing her career with her first responsibility of being a mother and Adade. She has three children namely : Obea ,Essie And Ottu. Kabria is very loving, patient and sympathetic. Saves  Fofo from being lynched at Agbogbloshie market when she tries picking her. She works at MUTE organization and in collaboration with Harvest Fm, they go on an adventure to unravel the mystery surrounding sssBaby T’s death. She treats everyone as part of her family even ‘creamy’ her battered old VW beetle car.

3.     Maa Tsuru

Mother

 of Fofo and siblings. It is believed that she is cursed by her mother when she was being given birth to. She herself is a product of the streets and cares less if her offsprings become a nuisance to society. Maa Tsuru is a “free for all”, easily deceived, and makes her children go onto the devouring jaws of the streets. She sells Baby T indirectly into prostitution. Very quick-tempered. However, Maa Tsuru is remorseful and caring.

4.     Baby T

Daughter

 of Maa Tsuru,16 years of age. She is very kind and lovely. A great teacher she is as Fofo learns to pick-pocket from her. She is an innocent girl who is raped by her uncle Onko and her step-father Kpakpo. She is killed as a result of the connivance between Onko, Poison and Maami Broni. Start learning any African language today!