The Housemaid

In this powerful and unflinching novel, Amma Darko lays bare the hidden struggles of Ghanaian women in the 1980s, revealing the complex choices they face in pursuit of dignity and independence. When young Efia is sent from her rural village to work as a housemaid in Accra, she dreams of a better life. But her hopes are dashed as she becomes entangled in a web of exploitation and betrayal. At the centre of this web is Tika, a wealthy, self-made businesswoman whose rise from poverty came at a steep personal cost. Haunted by her past and driven by guilt, Tika takes Efia into her home, hoping to redeem herself by offering the girl a future. But in a society riddled with class divides and gendered expectations, both women must navigate a world where survival often demands sacrifice. Discover more from the APOLLO AFRICA series: the new home for 100 timeless works from the legendary Heinemann African Writers Series.