By Miriam Oparebea
Tema, Dec. 31, GNA – While many young people spend the Christmas season socialising and enjoying the festivities, first daughters across many Ghanaian homes quietly shoulder responsibilities that keep their families running smoothly.
For 24-year-old Akosua Owusu, the festive season is less about relaxation and more about service.
From preparing meals to cleaning, running errands and supervising younger siblings, she plays a central role in ensuring her household functions during the busy period.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Akosua said the physical demands of the season were manageable, but the emotional toll of feeling unappreciated was often more difficult.
“I am always on my feet making sure everything is in order, but sometimes it feels like nobody notices,” she said, explaining that misunderstandings occasionally arose when her efforts were taken for granted.
Miss Afiyo Manerh, another first daughter, said even though she is in her final year preparing for her Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), she has not been spared the daily house chores and has to carry the burden of her three brothers.
According to her, there are days she feels exhausted and wishes to just sleep, but she is the first to be called when the dishes are left unwashed or the house needs cleaning.
Akosua’s and Afiyo’s experiences reflect a broader reality in many Ghanaian families, where first daughters are informally assigned caregiving and coordination roles from an early age.
They often act as secondary parents, supporting their mothers with domestic work while also guiding younger siblings.
During festive seasons in particular, first daughters frequently assume multiple responsibilities, including cooking, cleaning, hosting visitors, maintaining order in the home and ensuring family traditions are upheld.
Though these duties are rarely formalised or acknowledged, they are central to the smooth functioning of many households; in effect, first daughters often become the emotional and organisational anchors of their families.
Social observers note that parents might sometimes overlook the intensity of this role, especially when it is performed quietly and without complaint.
As a result, moments of frustration or silence can be misinterpreted as idleness rather than exhaustion.
Despite the challenges, many first daughters remain deeply committed to their families, driven by a strong sense of duty and affection.
For them, caring for siblings and supporting parents is not merely an obligation but an expression of love and responsibility.
As families prepare to enter the New Year, some first daughters hope for greater recognition of their contributions, noting that simple words of appreciation can ease tension and strengthen family bonds.
Akosua said she remains devoted to her family and proud of the role she plays, adding that acknowledgement of her efforts would make a meaningful difference.
Her story highlights the often-unseen work of first daughters, whose contributions form the backbone of family life in many Ghanaian homes, quietly holding households together during both ordinary days and festive seasons.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/Lydia Kukua Asamoah