Prof. Rosina Kyerematen has shared a deeply personal story about how her then-fiancé was unsupportive of her academic aspirations while she pursued her PhD.
Speaking recently on the Diva Doc Let’s Talk podcast on YouTube, the respected academic revealed that although her fiancé initially appeared to support her dreams, his true feelings surfaced through a mutual friend. She was tipped off that he was uncomfortable with her growing academic visibility and progress. According to her, he had made dismissive remarks about her PhD pursuit when asked about her work.
“I remember when I was doing my PhD, I was engaged, but I did not have a supportive fiancé. You know, he pretended to be supportive, but one day, a friend called me and said, ‘Rosina, watch out. This guy doesn’t like you being out there. I met him and asked, Oh, how’s your wife? And he just said, Mmh! She’s there. She’s doing her PhD…’ That kind of comment, you know,” she recalled.
Prof. Kyerematen’s experience highlights the often-unspoken challenges women face in balancing personal relationships with ambitious career goals. Her story contributes to the broader conversation about the need for genuine support in partnerships, particularly for women breaking new ground.
Story by: Kelvin B. Annor-Yeboah | univers.ug.edu.gh
