What are the motifs in No Sweetness Here by Ama Ata Aidoo?

Maternal love is a recurring idea in the story. The central relationship of the story is that between Maami Ama and her son Kwesi. The mother's love for her beautiful son is emphasized throughout the story, making his death all the more tragic. Kwesi is Maami Ama's only child and only real family, as she has been isolated from that of her husband. When Chicha jokes of kidnapping Kwesi to take him with her, Maami Ama expresses her "gnawing fear" of losing him: "'Please, Chicha, I always know you are just making fun of me, but please, promise me you won't take Kwesi away with you.'