Ghanaian broadcaster Jessica Opare Saforo has penned an open letter to Nigerian actress Tonto Dikeh, expressing strong support for her in her current trials and tribulations.
Jessica penned an open letter to Tonto which she posted on social media, expressing gratitude to her for being able to speak up about her abuse.
She said her actions help make it easier for others in similar situations to speak out.
“…You have done what many people are terrified to do by opening up the way you did. I want to say thank you on behalf of all women who are going through abuse but can’t seem to find their voice. You have just demonstrated that it’s ok to speak up and women (or men really) no longer have to suffer in silence,” Jessica wrote.
Tonto and her husband Oladunni Churchill recently separated, with the actress claiming she had suffered abuse at the hands of her then husband, on top of alleged cheating and other issues.
But the story took a twist last week when a Ghana Police official claimed Tonto is a liar, telling a totally different story and claiming she destroyed her husband’s property and threatened one of his bodyguards with a gun.
Tonto has hit back at that, saying the Ghana police are liars.
In her letter, Jessica also said a prayer for Tonto and urged her to keep fighting and ignore the naysayers.
Full post below…
You don’t know me but I just thought to send you a message this morning. I can’t say I understand what you are going through because the truth is I have never been in your shoes. I can only imagine what it would be like to be you right now. I must admit, we have all made mistakes and wrong decisions in our lives and may still be suffering the consequences of our actions.
I’m not a fan of Nigerian movies but I can say this…’ you just won my respect’. If indeed your story of abuse is true then, you have done what many people are terrified to do by opening up the way you did. I want to say thank you on behalf of all women who are going through abuse but can’t seem to find their voice. You have just demonstrated that it’s ok to speak up and women (or men really) no longer have to suffer in silence. Don’t worry about the people who are calling you names and accusing you of falsehoods. Neither should you worry about the self -righteous religious fanatics. Half of them wish they had the cojones to do what you did. Don’t try to prove yourself to anyone cos the truth is people really don’t care, they are mostly just curious.
This morning I woke up and had an urge to say a prayer for you and for your son. My prayer is simple. ‘ May God give you strength to continue to fight your battles, may He give you an additional day of joy whenever you shed tears and may your son be protected from all the negativity in the world and from the mouths of vipers’. You are who YOU say you are. Don’t let the world define you. Sleep easy, knowing that you just saved souls living in anguish and in shame. You’ve given hope to women who are in abusive relationships and think there is no way out. Truth is… there ALWAYS is. We may not be there today and we know that this battle will be a long uphill one. Continue to stand up for yourself because you will inadvertently be standing up for people who are being abused.
The truth is, this post is really not about Tonto at all but is about every woman or man living in abusive marriages and relationships. You shouldn’t stay mute. Always speak UP.