• I learned that when you’re bringing a newborn home from the hospital, you can make your own special “Baby on Board” signal by tying a white towel on each of your car’s side mirrors and a white handkerchief on the radio antenna. Yeah, I’m silly but this totally tickled me!
• I had pizza with chicken, minced meat, and kpakpo shito – only in Ghana! Eye de papa!
• For any event in Ghana, whether it’s a funeral or a wedding, you have to expand your “guest list” exponentially b/c I’ve been to about 3 weddings and a funeral now and people show up who are definitely not invited.
• When people wear jeans that are hipsters or low rides, you say “I’m aware” in reference to both the people themselves or the style of exposing your underwear/butt
• This is less interesting and more ANNOYING: Parking Officials can do as they please (puncture your tire, insult you, practically attack you physically etc.) without fear b/c it takes more time and way more money for you to file a complaint and go to court. Like the incidence with the police officers last year, this airport parking incidence for Nii and I this year gave me even less hope in authority figures here in Ghana b/c corruption and extortion seem to be the order of the day and there definitely is no “working within the system”!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
End of Work – 08/07/08
Wow! It’s finally over. Today I turned in my report to PPAG HQ in Accra and received all my evaluation forms so I’m officially done. On Friday I had my last Peer Educator meeting and said my goodbyes at the clinic but of course without the report, you can’t say you’re done . On Friday, while I was glad to be heading home, I felt sad because I’ve really come to love Cape Coast and my co-workers. I learned a lot and yet I wanted to learn more and spend more time with the nurses and project managers. I achieved the objectives of my practicum (hooray!) and wish so much to get a PAYING job in Ghana after graduation (it’s harder than you’d think) but I’m praying and working on it so we’ll see.
Anywho, it was a busy month and a half but totally worth it. I presented my Thank You card and farewell gifts to my coworkers after which Mrs. Brown made a thank you speech on behalf of everyone at the clinic, the JICA volunteer cried, and we all chatted a bit before going home. I’ll miss that place but I’m glad to be going home to Accra to spend more time with family and friends (and no more crazy commutes over weekends…hehe).
Anywho, it was a busy month and a half but totally worth it. I presented my Thank You card and farewell gifts to my coworkers after which Mrs. Brown made a thank you speech on behalf of everyone at the clinic, the JICA volunteer cried, and we all chatted a bit before going home. I’ll miss that place but I’m glad to be going home to Accra to spend more time with family and friends (and no more crazy commutes over weekends…hehe).
News Commentary – 07/31/08
1. Presidential Awards:
In July, Ghanaians witnessed a huge ceremony to honor various key figures of Ghana. President J.A. Kuffuour and government spent months nominating and selecting over 100 people from all categories from entertainment to politics and the ceremony was quite grand. Now, with such an event you’d expect much jubilation and excitement from the Ghanaian public but it was quite the opposite. Or rather, I should say that some were certainly happy, but there was quite an uproar from the selection process to even the weeks following the awards. The major points of contention were as follows:
• The selection process was a quack because the President and his staff were biased towards members of their own ruling party (NPP) and their friends
• The ceremony was a waste of money because the money used to execute it could have gone to further development of the country
• If the people who did the good deeds were truly altruistic, their honor wouldn’t rely on tangible awards but in the simple knowledge that they contributed to advancing the country somehow
For me, it was very interesting to hear both sides of the issue because while I did understand some of dissent, I thought the idea of awards was really cool. What makes it more difficult is that I live in the US, where the awards ceremonies (from BET Awards to the Oscars) are many and lavish and so it’s like I’m desensitized or something. Anywho, here are my thoughts. First, I think that recognizing people’s achievements in public with certificates and medals is a decent gesture of appreciation and can motivate them and others to perform well. Maybe awarding yourself is a bit vain but otherwise, the awards themselves were ok. Additionally, there’s no denying that Ghana needs money but I’m sure there are many other wasteful things around here and the time spent arguing about the awards (seriously, it was on every station and tv show and everyone was talking about the issue from politicians to cab drivers. Finally, I don’t know much about the process itself but I think do know that opposition members (including former President Rawlings) were nominated and turned down not only their awards but their invitations to the ceremony – that certainly doesn’t spell unity if you ask me. Of course, this is just my side so take it with a grain of salt.
2. Sale of GT:
The government of Ghana has decided to sell 70% of the shares of the nation’s communication company, Ghana Telecom to Vodafone, which is owned by the British and let’s just say that most Ghanaians are not happy. First of all, this move is seen as anti-nationalism and selfishness on the government’s part. Secondly, it’s being sold to the British so that’s a problem all in itself. Finally, it’s not like there’ll be 30% left over because that was sold years ago to a Malaysian company. Here, I don’t know very much and so my only opinion is pretty much that while I’m uneasy with the situation, it seems like the move may have potential to improve GT’s standing. I did think it was cool that the administrators of GT and the Ministry of Communications held a large press conference to field comments and questions from journalists and the public. The deal is still being discussed but from all indications, the sale will go through as planned. I hope that there will be peace no matter what and that the advantages for Ghana will manifest themselves immediately in either result.
3. Conflict in the North:
When I arrived, Bole, a village in the Northern Region was very much embroiled in a tribal conflict. I paid attention to this because the tribal issue is such a delicate one in Ghana and throughout Africa and with our general elections coming up in December, tribal issues and peace are quite at the forefront of people’s minds. As much as the actual tension disturbs me, I couldn’t help but factor in other things as food shortages and the disparities between the Northern and Southern parts of the country. First in terms of the food shortages, that area of the country is highly productive and provides many agricultural products for the country and so turmoil there trickles down somehow to the rest of the country. Secondly, the turmoil is extremely disruptive to a region in which development is already lagging, the education level is low, and much of the population is poor. It made me think of the elements of development and how we don’t even have to look between countries but within countries to see disparities.
4. Deaths of Peter Ala-Adjetey and Michael Dwamena:
While I’ve been here, there have been 2 high profile deaths. The first of the former Speaker of Parliament, Peter Ala-Adjetey, and the second of Michael Dwamena, musician known particularly for the song “Ngozi”. There isn’t much commentary here but in thinking about it I thought that it was really interesting how these 2 were grieved in similarly intense matters even though they were in different stations in life.
5. The elections: The Ruling Party
vs. The Opposition Party
When leaving NY, I thought I was going to miss out on summer election battles (esp. since the race was getting quite exciting as I was leaving and all!) but guess what? I walked right into the Ghanaian version Man! It’s quite a trip when you’re caught up in whirlwinds you’re still learning about. Ok, before anything else, while the 2 main parties are the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), there are several other parties including the Convention’s People’s Party (CPP) and the People's National Convention (PNC).
For personal education, I scour newspapers, radio/tv broadcasts, and people’s conversations for info about the current NPP administration, each of the 6 candidates, the election process, and general public sentiment on Ghana’s future…and let me tell you, there’s never a boring moment. If I’m not hearing of the difficulties in the election process (infinite lines for voter’s registrations, lack of an electronic system etc.) or fears about violence in December, then it’s about things such as which candidate is more Ghanaian because he schooled at more Ghanaian schools or is more connected to his hometown or whose family has been more influential in Ghanaian history etc. Like kissing babies and visiting small, backwater towns and talking to key constituents (be they miners, gun advocates, college students etc.) matter in the US, visiting villages, being photographed doing farm labor or such, and speaking to the hearts of fishermen, farmers, miners, traders and other key people matter here in Ghana.
There are some who will stick by their parties for no other reason than their families have always been and so they will always be (can’t say that’s different from the US though) and there are some who don’t even have a party and don’t care. Some have huge grudges against the former ruling party, NDC, and so will vote for anyone BUT Atta-Mills, while others who refuse to vote for NPP candidate Nana Akuffo-Addo because they begrudge the current NPP for its rapid development of Ghana (I’ve heard different comments from ‘the development is good but is done in a snobbish way’, ‘there aren’t enough Ghanaians involved’, to ‘there are too many personal gains for government officials in each of the development schemes’ etc. And overall, with the backdrop of past electoral problems in Kenya and Zimbabwe, the elections are considered as significant not just for Ghana, but also for Africa - no pressure Ghana! :)
I could go on forever but the point is that I’m noticing that elections can be exciting, draining, hopeful, dreadful, and ever-evolving all at once and that people are people regardless of the country in which you find yourself. The saddest thing for me though is that I can’t vote in EITHER election b/c I’m not a US citizen and I won’t be in Ghana early enough – MAN!!! I just hope that my friends who can vote on both sides of the Atlantic will appreciate and exercise the privilege they have.
In July, Ghanaians witnessed a huge ceremony to honor various key figures of Ghana. President J.A. Kuffuour and government spent months nominating and selecting over 100 people from all categories from entertainment to politics and the ceremony was quite grand. Now, with such an event you’d expect much jubilation and excitement from the Ghanaian public but it was quite the opposite. Or rather, I should say that some were certainly happy, but there was quite an uproar from the selection process to even the weeks following the awards. The major points of contention were as follows:
• The selection process was a quack because the President and his staff were biased towards members of their own ruling party (NPP) and their friends
• The ceremony was a waste of money because the money used to execute it could have gone to further development of the country
• If the people who did the good deeds were truly altruistic, their honor wouldn’t rely on tangible awards but in the simple knowledge that they contributed to advancing the country somehow
For me, it was very interesting to hear both sides of the issue because while I did understand some of dissent, I thought the idea of awards was really cool. What makes it more difficult is that I live in the US, where the awards ceremonies (from BET Awards to the Oscars) are many and lavish and so it’s like I’m desensitized or something. Anywho, here are my thoughts. First, I think that recognizing people’s achievements in public with certificates and medals is a decent gesture of appreciation and can motivate them and others to perform well. Maybe awarding yourself is a bit vain but otherwise, the awards themselves were ok. Additionally, there’s no denying that Ghana needs money but I’m sure there are many other wasteful things around here and the time spent arguing about the awards (seriously, it was on every station and tv show and everyone was talking about the issue from politicians to cab drivers. Finally, I don’t know much about the process itself but I think do know that opposition members (including former President Rawlings) were nominated and turned down not only their awards but their invitations to the ceremony – that certainly doesn’t spell unity if you ask me. Of course, this is just my side so take it with a grain of salt.
2. Sale of GT:
The government of Ghana has decided to sell 70% of the shares of the nation’s communication company, Ghana Telecom to Vodafone, which is owned by the British and let’s just say that most Ghanaians are not happy. First of all, this move is seen as anti-nationalism and selfishness on the government’s part. Secondly, it’s being sold to the British so that’s a problem all in itself. Finally, it’s not like there’ll be 30% left over because that was sold years ago to a Malaysian company. Here, I don’t know very much and so my only opinion is pretty much that while I’m uneasy with the situation, it seems like the move may have potential to improve GT’s standing. I did think it was cool that the administrators of GT and the Ministry of Communications held a large press conference to field comments and questions from journalists and the public. The deal is still being discussed but from all indications, the sale will go through as planned. I hope that there will be peace no matter what and that the advantages for Ghana will manifest themselves immediately in either result.
3. Conflict in the North:
When I arrived, Bole, a village in the Northern Region was very much embroiled in a tribal conflict. I paid attention to this because the tribal issue is such a delicate one in Ghana and throughout Africa and with our general elections coming up in December, tribal issues and peace are quite at the forefront of people’s minds. As much as the actual tension disturbs me, I couldn’t help but factor in other things as food shortages and the disparities between the Northern and Southern parts of the country. First in terms of the food shortages, that area of the country is highly productive and provides many agricultural products for the country and so turmoil there trickles down somehow to the rest of the country. Secondly, the turmoil is extremely disruptive to a region in which development is already lagging, the education level is low, and much of the population is poor. It made me think of the elements of development and how we don’t even have to look between countries but within countries to see disparities.
4. Deaths of Peter Ala-Adjetey and Michael Dwamena:
While I’ve been here, there have been 2 high profile deaths. The first of the former Speaker of Parliament, Peter Ala-Adjetey, and the second of Michael Dwamena, musician known particularly for the song “Ngozi”. There isn’t much commentary here but in thinking about it I thought that it was really interesting how these 2 were grieved in similarly intense matters even though they were in different stations in life.
5. The elections: The Ruling Party
vs. The Opposition Party
When leaving NY, I thought I was going to miss out on summer election battles (esp. since the race was getting quite exciting as I was leaving and all!) but guess what? I walked right into the Ghanaian version Man! It’s quite a trip when you’re caught up in whirlwinds you’re still learning about. Ok, before anything else, while the 2 main parties are the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), there are several other parties including the Convention’s People’s Party (CPP) and the People's National Convention (PNC).
For personal education, I scour newspapers, radio/tv broadcasts, and people’s conversations for info about the current NPP administration, each of the 6 candidates, the election process, and general public sentiment on Ghana’s future…and let me tell you, there’s never a boring moment. If I’m not hearing of the difficulties in the election process (infinite lines for voter’s registrations, lack of an electronic system etc.) or fears about violence in December, then it’s about things such as which candidate is more Ghanaian because he schooled at more Ghanaian schools or is more connected to his hometown or whose family has been more influential in Ghanaian history etc. Like kissing babies and visiting small, backwater towns and talking to key constituents (be they miners, gun advocates, college students etc.) matter in the US, visiting villages, being photographed doing farm labor or such, and speaking to the hearts of fishermen, farmers, miners, traders and other key people matter here in Ghana.
There are some who will stick by their parties for no other reason than their families have always been and so they will always be (can’t say that’s different from the US though) and there are some who don’t even have a party and don’t care. Some have huge grudges against the former ruling party, NDC, and so will vote for anyone BUT Atta-Mills, while others who refuse to vote for NPP candidate Nana Akuffo-Addo because they begrudge the current NPP for its rapid development of Ghana (I’ve heard different comments from ‘the development is good but is done in a snobbish way’, ‘there aren’t enough Ghanaians involved’, to ‘there are too many personal gains for government officials in each of the development schemes’ etc. And overall, with the backdrop of past electoral problems in Kenya and Zimbabwe, the elections are considered as significant not just for Ghana, but also for Africa - no pressure Ghana! :)
I could go on forever but the point is that I’m noticing that elections can be exciting, draining, hopeful, dreadful, and ever-evolving all at once and that people are people regardless of the country in which you find yourself. The saddest thing for me though is that I can’t vote in EITHER election b/c I’m not a US citizen and I won’t be in Ghana early enough – MAN!!! I just hope that my friends who can vote on both sides of the Atlantic will appreciate and exercise the privilege they have.
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