At fifty-seven, Mary Kessewaa’s life revolves around a small table of onions at the market and an unrelenting battle with two chronic illnesses—hypertension and diabetes.

Her journey began quietly during what she believed was a routine medical check-up. A nurse noticed that her blood pressure was unusually high and immediately referred her to a doctor.

That visit changed everything. Mary was placed on medication and informed that she would need to manage the condition for the rest of her life.

“I didn’t feel sick at all,” she recalls. “That’s why they say high blood pressure is a silent killer.”

The diagnosis was not entirely unfamiliar. Hypertension runs in her family, and her sister also lives with the condition. Still, the reality of daily medication, lifestyle changes, and constant monitoring was daunting.

Not long after, another test delivered more difficult news—Mary had diabetes. This time, the result did not come as a shock. Her sister is diabetic as well. What weighed heavily on her was the financial burden.

“I’m praying to be healed one day,” she says softly. “But it’s tough managing everything, especially the money.”

Mary earns about five hundred Ghana cedis a month selling onions. From this modest income, she single-handedly supports her three children, without a husband’s support, while also paying for medication and basic household needs. Every cedi counts.

Despite the strain, Mary remains disciplined about her health. She carefully watches what she eats, avoids foods she has been advised against, and never skips her medication. Even at the market, with customers calling and the sun beating down, her medicine is always within reach.

“I carry it with me wherever I go,” she says. “If I don’t take it, I know I’ll suffer later.”

Some days are harder than others. The financial pressure, physical fatigue, and emotional toll can be overwhelming. Yet Mary presses on, determined to stay alive and strong for her children.

“I’m managing, but it’s not easy,” she admits.

By sharing her story, Mary hopes to send a clear message—especially to those who feel healthy and see no reason to visit a clinic.

“Go for regular check-ups,” she urges. “You may not feel anything, but the sickness could be there.”

Her experience is echoed by health professionals. A public health nurse at the Amamorley Clinic in Ablekuma, in the Ga North Municipality of the Greater Accra region, Dorcas Effah Agyeiwaa, advises people living with diabetes to take their medication consistently and prioritise eating more stew or soup over starchy foods, while increasing their intake of vegetables.

She also recommends consulting a dietician or nutritionist for personalised meal plans, including guidance on what to eat and when.

In a life shaped by resilience and quiet courage, Mary Kessewaa’s story is a reminder that early detection, discipline, and determination can make all the difference—even when the odds are stacked high.