Would you be elated, pleasantly surprised, feel abundantly blessed or bemused, afraid or even mystified were you to give birth to quadruplets?
Well, for Grace Okwan, the mother who produced such feat, she was perplexed explaining “I never knew humans could give birth to 3 much more 4 offsprings at a go till the doctor predicted it and for me to actually deliver them.â€
Collins Asiedu (45) and Grace Okwan (38) have been fruitful indeed bearing 5 children and then welcoming twins rounding up their collection to 7. One could be forgiven to think this ought to have prompted the couples to opt for natural birth control means or even go for the pill, implantable birth control devices or other such measures.
Prolific as the farmers are, they set out making love once more but this time the fruits of their ‘night deeds’ would bring them local and national fame, for on November 1, 2012 at the Edubiase Government Hospital, Grace Okwan was delivered of 4 children at a stretch causing residents in and around the district to pour into the hospital to catch a glimpse of the wonder kids and the woman who braved the odds to produce them.
She told primenewsghana.com: “I did not go for antenatal care when I got pregnant thinking it was just another pregnancy till I felt the bulge this time was weightier and was directed to a doctor 2 months to delivery time where I was told the numbers I was carrying.â€
Grace further stated after delivery, she had to be detained at the ward for 2 extra months to receive care because she had swelled so badly such that the kids were retrieved through a caesarian section. She has been sterilized to prevent further births on the recommendation of the doctor.
Thankfully she revealed having the National Health Insurance (NHIS) card saved her from paying any medical bill even when she was discharged by Doctor Mensah 2 months after giving birth.
The quadruplets comprising Prince Asiedu, Princess Asiedu I, Princess Asiedu II and Princess Asiedu III are healthy and doing well except the parents need all the financial and material support they can get for their feeding, medical and educational needs.
Both Collins and Grace are farmers who produce cocoa, rice, maize, cassava and other food stuffs on their 3 acre farm at Adansi Swedru near New Edubiase. While people showed great interest after the birth of the quadruplets offering mainly food stuffs and sweets, major help has been lacking.
Husband, Collins told primenewsghana.com: “We’ve sought assistance from the MP, Assembly Member, and District Chief Executive even the Social Welfare unit but financial help has been lacking with one excuse or the other given.â€
“Financial intervention is badly needed; the children eat more than three times a day plus biscuits and sweets. You can’t buy one shoe or cloth for one and neglect the others so it’s tough. They are turning 4 but there are no funds to enroll them in school so we need help badly†he declared.
For financial support or direction to Gender Ministry officers, NGO’s or linkage to prominent or wealthy persons with tender hearts, the Asiedus can be reached on the following cell lines:
(+233) 0554015648, (+233) 0541075624, (+233) 0249584963, (233) 0240449861
I encountered Collins, Grace and the young ones on my way home to Ablekuma-Agape one sunny afternoon in trotro (bus). When they got to ‘Lotto’ (a suburb) they alighted headed for the home of Collins’ sister in-law as I got to know later. In the trotro however there was a preacher lady who was pouring praise on Grace in particular for birthing 4 kids at a go claiming “God was with her†adding “the children will mature into mighty citizens.â€
Her incessant praise pricked my curiosity and so weeks later I would track the quadruplets to discover their story but was told they had left for Adansi Swedru, their base. Over the weekend a call came through they had come for a visit leading to this report.
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