We are currently in the Cape Coast with limited internet access therefore we will continue our blog on Wednesday when we return to Accra.
Best,
Marist Ghana 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
The Old and the New Parts of Accra and Big Milly's Backyard
On day three in the bustling city of Accra, we had the opportunity to experience the rainy season. Our breakfast was interrupted by a down pour of torrential rain. Although the rain only lasted for an hour or two, it still prevented us from walking around the English Jamestown and the Dutch Usshertown. The poverty in both towns was extreme; however, the sense of community is thriving. As visitors, driving through both towns was a cultural awakening because of the difference in values. While Americans are concerned with the progression of one’s self, Ghanaians make family and community their priority.
We drove through the city of Accra and ended up on a major road that was underdeveloped. Storefronts were sporadically placed along the road and sanitation appeared to be a major problem. While stuck in traffic, we had time to reflect and discuss how we (Americans) at times take public services such as sanitation and trash collection for granted. While there is a lot of underdevelopment, there is also a lot of investment and signs of progress. We found that the main source of traffic was from the construction sites for new commercial and residential buildings.
After we got off the main road, we made our way towards the coast and drove through a rural area of Accra. We drove past a few gorgeous beach resorts as well as some underdeveloped villages. The stark contrast between the hotels and the villages reveals how poverty is intermingled with the riches of the city. We arrived at Big Milly’s Backyard and immediately got a taste of how many locals live. There was a lack of running water in the bathrooms and the sidewalks at the resort were not paved. Despite this lack of development, organic and sustainable living is critical to their daily way of life. In this town, the juices were all grown and squeezed right in their own backyard. Other vegetables, fruits and foods were grown locally as well. In America, often we do not eat and/or drink local products, so this was a pleasant treat.
After our lunch which consisted of the local GA cuisine, we were taught how to drum by a man who worked on the beach. We learned to play multiple rhythms, such as the alphabet. His enthusiasm for teaching us to play this instrument was inspiring. The location on the beach was also beautiful and we hope that in the near future, this hidden gem could become a large tourist venue that could produce large revenues for the local community.
We drove through the city of Accra and ended up on a major road that was underdeveloped. Storefronts were sporadically placed along the road and sanitation appeared to be a major problem. While stuck in traffic, we had time to reflect and discuss how we (Americans) at times take public services such as sanitation and trash collection for granted. While there is a lot of underdevelopment, there is also a lot of investment and signs of progress. We found that the main source of traffic was from the construction sites for new commercial and residential buildings.
After we got off the main road, we made our way towards the coast and drove through a rural area of Accra. We drove past a few gorgeous beach resorts as well as some underdeveloped villages. The stark contrast between the hotels and the villages reveals how poverty is intermingled with the riches of the city. We arrived at Big Milly’s Backyard and immediately got a taste of how many locals live. There was a lack of running water in the bathrooms and the sidewalks at the resort were not paved. Despite this lack of development, organic and sustainable living is critical to their daily way of life. In this town, the juices were all grown and squeezed right in their own backyard. Other vegetables, fruits and foods were grown locally as well. In America, often we do not eat and/or drink local products, so this was a pleasant treat.
After our lunch which consisted of the local GA cuisine, we were taught how to drum by a man who worked on the beach. We learned to play multiple rhythms, such as the alphabet. His enthusiasm for teaching us to play this instrument was inspiring. The location on the beach was also beautiful and we hope that in the near future, this hidden gem could become a large tourist venue that could produce large revenues for the local community.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Day two in Accra, Ghana!
Our second day in Ghana was very eventful. After our trip to the National Theater, we headed to the National Museum. Albert, the museum owner and our tour guide, made the experience very rewarding because of his enthusiastic attitude towards his history and his culture. He was also surprisingly aware of the invasive influence of the West on Ghana. It is easy for Americans to sometimes forget that citizens from developing countries our aware of Western exploitation.
From the museum, we headed to the University of Accra. On the way, our tour guide, Richard, discussed the Ghanaian education system and the surprisingly low percent of people who continue on to higher education. Ghana offers five state schools, and more are in development. Richard stated that these developments "showed where the government's priority lies." However, the government does not require that children attend school. This responsibility is left to the parents. It is curious that the Ghanaian population does not take a higher advantage of these opportunities.
As we looked out the van window, we began to find the answers to this question. Instead of encouraging thier children to succeed in school, it seemed like some needed their children at home, working by their side. On the streets, many children can be seen selling goods such as water, peanuts, pamphlets, sunglasses, and various other accessories. Although the children seem to have endless opportunuties, they are bound by family responsibility and the burden of uneducated parents. Fortunately, this viscious cycle is slowly being broken.
The market was the most memorable experience of the day. The drastic enthusiasm and perpetual hassling of the market venders revealed the extreme lengths that the people will go to survive. While looking around in the market, I (Cinnamon) was approached by a small boy of no more than twelve years of age. He begged me to buy a small Ghanaian flag he was selling saying continually, "please do this for me, I haven't sold one yet." This was an eye opener; it truly showed the desparity of some families and the downsides of informal economy. With this in mind, the market hassling almost seemed like a pennance Americans have to pay for their intervention and "hassling" in African economic affairs.
From the museum, we headed to the University of Accra. On the way, our tour guide, Richard, discussed the Ghanaian education system and the surprisingly low percent of people who continue on to higher education. Ghana offers five state schools, and more are in development. Richard stated that these developments "showed where the government's priority lies." However, the government does not require that children attend school. This responsibility is left to the parents. It is curious that the Ghanaian population does not take a higher advantage of these opportunities.
As we looked out the van window, we began to find the answers to this question. Instead of encouraging thier children to succeed in school, it seemed like some needed their children at home, working by their side. On the streets, many children can be seen selling goods such as water, peanuts, pamphlets, sunglasses, and various other accessories. Although the children seem to have endless opportunuties, they are bound by family responsibility and the burden of uneducated parents. Fortunately, this viscious cycle is slowly being broken.
The market was the most memorable experience of the day. The drastic enthusiasm and perpetual hassling of the market venders revealed the extreme lengths that the people will go to survive. While looking around in the market, I (Cinnamon) was approached by a small boy of no more than twelve years of age. He begged me to buy a small Ghanaian flag he was selling saying continually, "please do this for me, I haven't sold one yet." This was an eye opener; it truly showed the desparity of some families and the downsides of informal economy. With this in mind, the market hassling almost seemed like a pennance Americans have to pay for their intervention and "hassling" in African economic affairs.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Akwaaba (Welcome) to our blog!
After a very long 10 hour flight, we have finally reached our destination.... Ghana! Fresh off the plane we headed to tour the big city and the capital of Ghana, Accra. The hustle and bustle of the city surely did not go unnoticed. With a population of nearly 3,000,000 people, the streets were flooded with people of all kinds... business men and women, students, children and tons and tons of merchants! The variety of people matches the diverse array of development. An unexpected Western influence can be seen through various styles of dress and was also evident in our first dining experience. Skinny jeans and burgers (but no fast food!) can easily be spotted while traveling through the city center.
One can quickly take note of the developmental progress, yet there is so much more to be accomplished. For example, while walking down the street you might pass by a beautiful modern looking building, but walk five more steps and you will find yourself amidst a rundown, abandoned building heaping with rubbish. Even though Ghana has allowed a foreign influence, they still maintain and pride themselves on their unique customs, as shown by our last visit of the day to Exotic Paa Joe's Carpentry shop. Here they make detailed caskets that represent the person and what he or she lived for. One of our personal favorites was a casket shaped like a crab and made for a devoted fisherman.
With a great first day in Ghana now under our belts, we can't wait to continue our Ghanaian adventure!
One can quickly take note of the developmental progress, yet there is so much more to be accomplished. For example, while walking down the street you might pass by a beautiful modern looking building, but walk five more steps and you will find yourself amidst a rundown, abandoned building heaping with rubbish. Even though Ghana has allowed a foreign influence, they still maintain and pride themselves on their unique customs, as shown by our last visit of the day to Exotic Paa Joe's Carpentry shop. Here they make detailed caskets that represent the person and what he or she lived for. One of our personal favorites was a casket shaped like a crab and made for a devoted fisherman.
With a great first day in Ghana now under our belts, we can't wait to continue our Ghanaian adventure!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Marist College Students and Professor travel to Ghana for community service projects
A contingent of Marist students and Professor Eddie Summers will depart today for Ghana to conduct service-learning work in Accra and Tamale Ghana. The students and the Professors will blog daily. Stay tuned to hear about their adventure abroad.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Ghana
On Wednesday, May 25 a group of students and Professor Eddie Summers will head to Ghana on a service learning experience. The group will spend the first week in Accra then they will make their way up to Tamale to work in underprivileged villages. Stay tuned to daily blogging.
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