Chapter 1 of the book “Faceless” by Ama Darko introduces us to the main character, Fofo, a young girl living in the slums of Accra, Ghana. Fofo is a seventeen-year-old girl who has been forced to grow up quickly due to the harsh realities of her environment.

Fofo lives with her younger sister, Baby T, and their abusive stepmother, Maa Tsuru. Their father is absent, and their mother has passed away. Fofo takes on the responsibility of caring for her sister and herself, doing odd jobs to earn money and provide for their basic needs.

The chapter begins with Fofo waking up to the sound of her sister crying. Baby T is sick and needs medical attention, but Fofo cannot afford to take her to the hospital. Instead, she seeks help from a local woman named Auntie, who runs a makeshift clinic in the slums.

Auntie agrees to help Baby T but warns Fofo about the dangers of the city, particularly the “faceless” people who prey on vulnerable children. Fofo is determined to protect her sister and keep her safe from harm.

As the chapter progresses, we learn more about Fofo’s life and the challenges she faces. She attends school sporadically, as she often has to prioritize earning money over her education. Fofo dreams of a better life for herself and her sister, but she knows that it will take hard work and determination to escape the cycle of poverty.

Overall, Chapter 1 of “Faceless” sets the stage for the struggles and resilience of Fofo, a seventeen-year-old girl living in the slums of Accra. It highlights the harsh realities of poverty and the lengths Fofo is willing to go to protect and provide for her sister.