Category: Africa

A motorcycle with two riders drives by with the Ghanaian National Patriotic Party flag waving from behind

Change has Come in Ghana: a New President

January 27, 2017

While much of the world spent 2016 focused on the voting of two countries (the Brexit vote in the United Kingdom and the elections in the United States), Ghana also held elections for parliament and the president.

There are a number of political parties in Ghana, but the two major parties are the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The election placed President John Mahama (NDC) against Nana Akufo-Addo (NPP), and Ghana decided it was time for a change. President Akufo-Addo was sworn into office on 14 January 2017.

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the sign for a shop called god's will enterprise in front of a sunset

Only By God’s Grace in Ghana

January 20, 2017

By His grace.

This is my response to any number of requests or statements ranging from requests for me to take someone to the United States to whether I’ll make it to an event.

By God’s grace.

With that simple little phrase, I’ve shifted from a view that through my own work and effort I can make something happen to the view that I’m at the mercy of fate and God’s will. I don’t even believe in God. But, the people of Ghana sure do. And to be a part of the culture here, I participate in the recitation of a phrase that absolves me of control and accepts that the universe may have its own plans.

By the grace of God.

Businesses often incorporate religion.

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a crowd of people around a statue of st thomas parading on a street in front of the ocean

Celebrating St. Thomas Day in São Tomé

January 17, 2017

I had arrived the evening before with no concrete plans for the next day. I had one day in the capital of São Tomé and Príncipe before flying to the latter of the two main islands. After flipping through the slim guidebook and finding a suggested self-guided walking tour of the city, I made plans to wander through the colonial streets of the city and hit the highlights as suggested. The calendar had another plan for me. You see, it was St. Thomas’s feast day; and St. Thomas in Portuguese is, you guessed it São Tomé.

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a group of children peering over a wall and palm trees silhouetted against a sunset sky

Ghana and Ghanaians, in Their Own Words

January 13, 2017

It’s been said that there are three stories that are told about the African continent: animals, war and conflict, poverty. A glance through any news publication and the vast majority of stories about this continent likely fall into one of those three categories. But there are many stories to be told about people and places within the 54 countries that make up this continent.

But to insist on only these negative stories is to flatten my experience and to overlook the many other stories that formed me. The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story. – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, The Danger of the Single Story

In an effort to combat the single story that is told about Ghana, I asked some of my co-workers what they thought people should know about Ghana. This is what they had to say.

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a woman bending slightly at the waist with a baby, who is looking at the camera, tied on her back using a length of fabric

What is a Two-Yard and How Do You Use It?

January 10, 2017

Walking around in Ghana, one of the most noticeable things is the ubiquitousness of colorful fabrics. Everyone is decked out in loud patterns and bright colors, from every hue in the rainbow. A trip to the market reveals that you can buy these fabrics in any length you want and have it taken to a tailor or seamstress to have some wonderful, custom clothes made. However, the most common length of fabric you’ll see around is two-yards and it’s not made into anything at all.

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stacks of canned goods such as tomato paste, oil, ketchup, mayonnaise, powered milk and spice

Winneba is Where the World Meets

January 6, 2017

Globalization. It’s a big concept that means a lot of things to different people. As technology, inventions and innovations have made travel and transport easier over the years, it’s only logical that bits and pieces from countries and cultures would scatter like seeds on the wind across the globe. And while the majority of the people in my community will likely never go far beyond West Africa, they are rather well versed in the world, through commodities and ephemera. Here are some of the things that make Winneba a global town.

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The Quirks of Ghanaian English

January 3, 2017

When I tell people I live in Ghana, one of the first questions I get asked is what language do I speak there. There are more than 70 local languages spoken throughout Ghana, but English is the national language – a holdover from the British colonization.

However, just as American English is different from British English, Ghanaian English has it’s own distinct rhythms and quirks. Here are a couple phrases you might hear in Ghana, and what they mean.

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view is from behind of a model with a colorful cape draped over her shoulder

A Look at Ghana Fashion and Design Week

November 4, 2016

Ghana is just like many other countries. There are the rural areas, far from the cities and capitals where people struggle to make ends meet. There are towns and regional capitals with large universities that are young and vibrant. And there are major cities, including the capital of Accra, where there are major cultural events, the wealthy elite in their fancy cars and creative movers and shakers pushing artistic growth. Last month, the three of those came together at Ghana Fashion and Design Week.
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the cover of a Ghanaian passport

Difficulties of Traveling as a Ghanaian

October 28, 2016

As I shut the door and settle into the front seat of the nearly dilapidated taxi, the customary greeting tumble out of my mouth. “Good afternoon, how are you?”

“Fine and you too?” the driver responds.

“I am also fine,” I chirp back in a friendly ritual that is repeated throughout my day.

A few beats go by and then the driver asks, “What is your country?”

“The United States”

“Ahhh, America! I wish to go there.”

“By the grace of God,” I reply. This is probably the fifth time this week that I have either heard this desire or have been asked to take someone there this week. And the truth is, my citizenship opens a lot more doors than Ghanaian citizenship does.

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