Panic has started to set in as the finish line becomes clearer in the distance. I have around two months left in Ghana and I am starting to think that it is not long enough. Right now I am really happy- my relationships with Ghanaians are stronger than ever, I am truly comfortable with campus life and maneuvering around Accra, and life just feels…right. I feel rushed to complete everything on my checklist but I am trying to tell myself to just take a deep breath and enjoy the rest of the ride by living in the moment.
Considering I have not written in quite some time I will try and give a brief overview of the latest news and travels.
Although the constant attention might get a little overbearing at times, one of the greatest things about being an obruni in Ghana is the number of doors that have magically opened for me to try new things and get involved. A month ago I had a crisis when I began questioning the direction I would like to head post-graduation. After having an enlightening conversation with my dad, I decided that I might want to test out the waters in journalism. To make a long story short, I met with the manager of a radio station in Legon and BAM, I am now a news reporter at Radio Univers 105.7 “The Voice of Legon.” I have now been working at the station for over a month and I cannot believe how much I have learned. Within my first week, my boss was sending me around campus and around the Accra area to cover stories for the station. I have the freedom to cover anything that interests me and I am strongly encouraged to analyze Ghana from the western viewpoint on air. The highlight of my time at Univers was when I walked into work and my boss, Daryl, threw a recorder my direction and said “Go to University Wetlands quick.” As I walked up to the Wetlands department at the University of Ghana, motorcycle sirens alerted me that someone important was headed my way. A Mercedes door opened and a fancy looking man stepped out. I followed security into a room where I got to take advantage of the almighty phrase “I’m with Radio Universe” and slide into the exclusive lecture. For the next two hours I listened to the Former President of Mexico, Ernesto Zedillo, speak on globalization and development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite his anti-American comments, he was an insightful and dynamic speaker. I was asked to take a picture with him for publicity purposes and then he gave me a wink and a wave before leaving with the police escorts. Besides the story I wrote on Dr. Zedillo, I have covered news on the Ghanaian education system, psychiatric hospitals, elephantiasis vaccinations, the importance of community service and I am working on stories about child trafficking, the influence of foreign media on women’s body image, the struggles of being African American in Ghana, and the issue of plagiarism on campus. Although I love the work, the best part of my job is the people. I have met the most extroverted open-minded Ghanaians by working at Radio Univers. I find myself heading down to the news room every spare moment I have to chat with my friends and eat some fried yam instead of heading back to my room to read or email. I really feel like this job has fundamentally altered my life in Ghana for the better.
Three weeks ago, our program organized a community service day to Ekumfi Atwia, a small village just outside Cape Coast with a killer view of the coast. After meeting with the Chief and following the proper rituals at his palace, we headed for the work field. For the next two hours we dug dirt out of trenches and carried the excess dirt Ghanaian style- on our heads- to a location down the road to be used to fill in potholes. Every Friday, Ekumfi Atwia has a compulsory community service day. If a member of the community refuses to show, an immense fine or jail time will head their direction. So it is not like we were working alone. In fact, the local people had been working for three hours before we showed up and were still pick axing the rock hard soil when we left. They sure did get a kick out of our inadequacy at carrying dirt on our heads without using our hands to hold the bucket in place. With glowing sunburns, a multitude of mosquito bites, and dirt caked on our legs we drove to one of the nicest beach resorts in Ghana at Anomabu. We spent the next two days indulging in delicious food, collecting sea shells, and relaxing on the beach…rough life.
Two days ago I got a slip that said the package from my mom had finally arrived! Of course, the package did not end up at the University like it was supposed to and I was forced to embark on a mission into Accra. I don’t even like thinking about the postal system in Ghana…it is a nightmare. I have heard horrible stories about bargaining for your package or one of the most common issues- that your package just goes “missing.” When I arrived at the Circle Post Office, I put ten cedis in my wallet and removed the rest of the money and stored it in my pockets in preparation for the classic “but this is all the money I have” strategy while bargaining. When I walked up to the counter, I greeted the worker in Twi hoping to score some brownie points. It worked. We covered about all the topics I was capable of speaking in Twi and then he headed to the back to get my package. Another guy came out and said “ohhh so sorry we did not know you would be coming today, why have you waited so long to come get your package.” Umm it had only been two days since I got my slip, what is long about that? I immediately got defensive thinking “oh great they probably have opened and distributed the loot amongst each other already.” Luckily, I did a little sweet talking and the original worker gave me a wink and came out with my package. They proceeded to have me open my package and extract every item and lay it out in front of them. Considering my entire package was basically candy, I knew that it was going to be a struggle to actually walk away from the post office with the goods without paying a hefty price. The worker looked at me and said “your momma must love you.” As he packed up my package he asked me about my stay in Ghana. I raved to him about the beauty of his country and he looked at me and said “good answer.” He only charged me five cedi for my package- a whopping forty cedis cheaper than the usual obruni price. I guess a little Twi goes a long way.
Just some random facts about my current life in Ghana:
1. The kitten Ariel and I adopted named Fufu went missing a month ago.
2. Volta Hall week is next week. I am modeling in the fashion show and participating in a debate for my hall.
3. Easter is coming up and we are going paragliding for the special occasion!
4. My Ghanaian neighbors have purchased a bunch of American TV series so I am now spending a ton of time in their room watching Pretty Little Liars.
5. Ariel and I bought a hot plate which broke upon the first use. The receipt said “no returns” so they said they would fix it. We went in four times, called countless times and FINALLY two months later we got our hot plate. Oh Ghana time.
