Veteran broadcaster and General Manager of Sompa FM, Akosua Ago Aboagye, has called for greater empathy towards mothers, especially those navigating leadership roles alongside parenting, urging society to be more mindful of the judgments and comments directed at women.

Responding to a question on public perceptions about working mothers, particularly women in high-profile leadership positions, Ago Aboagye said many assumptions about mothers “not doing enough” for their families are often unfair and disconnected from reality.

According to her, motherhood and leadership are not fixed roles that follow a single formula, but rather evolving responsibilities that change with time and circumstance.

“Know who you are. When your kids need you, make time for them. When your husband needs you, you adjust,” she said.

She explained that life operates in seasons, and each season demands a different level of attention and priority. Rather than striving for a rigid balance, she said women must learn to adapt as their responsibilities shift.

“There are seasons in life,” she noted. “Seasons demand different approaches.”

Ago Aboagye shared a personal experience from a period when she was pursuing her master’s degree while pregnant with her third child. During that time, she said she had to step back from work for about six months in order to focus on her health and family.

At that point in her life, she embraced being a stay-at-home mother temporarily, before returning to her professional responsibilities after childbirth.

“Life is full of uncertainties,” she said, adding that no stage of motherhood remains permanent.

She emphasized that many of the pressures mothers face come not only from their responsibilities, but also from external judgment.

Reflecting on her own experience, she recalled a moment when she had recently given birth to twins and had lost significant weight due to lack of sleep and the demands of caring for newborns.

Despite the challenges she was going through, she said a woman at a funeral made an unkind remark about her appearance, unaware of her situation.

Ago Aboagye said such experiences highlight the need for people to be more considerate in their interactions with mothers, especially those who may already be struggling silently.

“You don’t know what someone is going through,” she said. “I had not slept for hours for months, but I knew it was a season.”

“If you have nothing good to say about a mom, please shut up,” she said firmly, a statement that drew applause from the audience.

She urged women to support one another through practical help and encouragement instead of judgment or unsolicited criticism.

Drawing from Ecclesiastes 3, she reminded the audience that “there is a time and a season for everything,” and encouraged mothers to embrace each phase without guilt.

AM