Esi Sekyi: Esi is a modern African woman who is highly educated and extremely career-centered. She marries Oko out of gratitude. Oko and their only child, Ogyaanowa, are neglected in favor of Esi's job as a data analyst for the Department of Urban Statistics. After she is raped by Oko, she divorces him and enters into a polygamist marriage with Ali, believing that it holds the freedom she desires. She believes Ali will give her the space she craves as well. Esi does not attend church but holds vague Christian ideals. She does not convert after marrying Ali because religion isn't really important to either of them.
Ali Kondey: A "son of the world" who has had all the advantages in life, Ali is charming and wealthy from owning a successful business. He had a strict Muslim upbringing, but is not devout himself. Before he married Esi, he already had a wife and several children.
Opokuya Dakwa: Esi's best friend, a nurse who also manages a household with a husband and several children. Opokuya also craves more freedom in her marriage though she does not divorce her husband. She is self-described as "fat" and is very opinionated, especially about birth control.
Oko Sekyi: Esi's husband who tries fervently to breathe life into his dying marriage with Esi. He works as a headmaster for a girls' school. Oko believes that Esi spends too much time at work which is the source of his frustrations. Kubi Dakwa: Opokuya's husband who reveals that he cannot be trusted when he attempts to commit adultery with Esi.
Ogyaanowa Sekyi: Esi's daughter who spends most of her time at Oko's mother's house. She feels neglected by her mother and makes it no secret that she prefers her father.
Fusena Kondey: Ali's first wife who chose marriage and family over her education and career. This results in her feeling of intense disillusionment.
