There are a few reminders I come across in my daily living that reinforce that I’m not as “African” as I like to think I am. The latest reminder is what I will refer to as the “what is yours is mine” mentality which I truly believe is in the same vein as the “it […]
Requiem
How do you tell a mother who has just lost her firstborn son in a horrific accident just 2 days earlier that you don’t remember him? Or a father just returned from identifying a mangled body as that of his own flesh and blood? We went to express our condolences for the loss. Any other […]
How to Let a Guy Down Easy!
How to let a guy down easy. It’s not easy! Not at all. I have planned to be more out-going here in Ghana. I’m learning now that the perils of being sociable and open is that guys become comfortable asking me out. I have no problems with that. In fact I have enjoyed a couple […]
Kwame Nkrumah
Kwame Nkrumah (9/21/09 – 4/27/72) was the first president of Ghana and one of the most influential Pan-Africanists. He was born in Nkroful in Nzemaland. He was educated in Ghana, the US, and the UK. He returned to Accra in 1947 where he soon started to cause trouble for the British who at that time […]
Ga Mantse Funeral
The plan yesterday was to sightsee in Accra. Unfortunately for me, it was also the day for the Ga Mantse funeral. The Ga-Mantse is the paramount king of the Ga-Adangbe people who are the native inhabitants of Accra. Several sub-chiefs serve under him. There is no Ga-Mantse now though. The last one, Nii Amugi II, […]
Grand Bassam & Abidjan
Grand Bassam! What a ghost town! The last time I was here, I was a toddler so I don’t remember anything. But from what I hear, it used to be the place to be. From what I see, the place is dead, the buildings dilapidated. Grand Bassam is east of Abidjan. Lots of Ivorian Nzema […]
Half Assini & Bonyere
Half Assini (Jomoro District, Western Region, Ghana) is quite an idyllic town. It is where Old Man lives. The landscape is dotted by many coconut trees interspersed with plantain/banana trees and indian almond trees. The main roads are paved and mostly used by people and goats with just the occasional car driving along. There’s electricity […]
Bronya is Over!
Yes people, I really did come to Ghana to do clinicals. Ghanaians have already gone back to work. “Bronya” is over! Until next year. Actually, probably until March 6th as this year will be the 50th anniversary of Ghana’s independence, so people will really be partying. Too bad I won’t be here. Ghana has come […]
Mourning the Death of a Loved One in Ghana
Mama arrived 2 nights ago. Yesterday we went to visit her father. He used to be a tall, big, and fierce man who everybody was scared of, but now he’s old, frail, and weak though his mind is still sharp. When I walked into the room, I couldn’t recognize him as it had been six […]
Afe Hyia Pa
Afe Hyia Pa translates into “Happy New Year”. The response is “Afe nko mmeto yen” which means something like, “may another year come and meet us”. Watch Night was interesting. We were late, getting there around 11 pm. Service started at 9 pm. They were well underway with their sermons & prayers though. There was […]
A lover of mangoes. A woman - smart, without pretense, lefthanded, Afropolitan - navigating this thing called life. An unapologetic believer in social justice and karma. Choosing to radiate positive energy and be true to myself. Here, my musings.