Post 1: The Beginning of Constant Learning

It was the night of Wednesday, October 28th. After having a wonderful visit with Samantha (my sister) in London, my eyes were glued to the pill-shaped window of the airplane as the seatbelt sound rang for the final time. The view I saw in front of me was the country where I am living for the next 8 months of my life. In the north, it appeared as if the land was dry, with the landscape similar to the colours one sees during a sunrise. Soon after a large lake popped into the canvas of the Ghanaian landscape and sheets of green began to overtake the sight. As the descent continued, a city began to appear, except much different than I had ever seen before. Traditionally, in a city of 4 million people, one would expect to see tall buildings in a condensed area, usually with a significant landmark that people would claim as the highlight of the city; instead, I happened to find houses upon houses becoming more and more clustered together as the plane descended further.  As each house became more distinct and details evident, a new picture arose that showed the tale of a diverse city with many different stories to be told by its citizens.

Welcome to Ghana.

Map of Ghana and where in Africa it is

For the next 8 months, I will have the privilege and pleasure of telling you the stories of not only my own adventure here but as well of the realities of the people of Ghana, in particular, those I will be working with through the EQWIP HUBs start up. My locations will vary across the country; however, I will mainly be in Tamale, Ghana. Currently, I am working the first few weeks in the capital city Accra, Ghana. This is to work on preparations to launch the EQWIP HUB up in Tamale. My goal of doing this blog is simple: I would like the chance to educate or reinforce or to even reshape what you may know about the African nation Ghana and the people within it. For some of you, Ghana may be a country that, until I mentioned it in this blog, you have never heard of. That's quite alright! I look forward to showing you a bit into what you might expect should you ever come to this country and what you should know about here even if you never plan on coming here. 

In a matter of minutes after I arrived at the hostel, the family wanted proof!

While photographs are a way one can capture moments, and I will be using them on this blog, I am a firm believer in receiving permission by those who are gracious enough to allow me to work with them . In other words, until I am welcomed by the locals to take certain photos, such as slums and particularly poor individuals, I am going to refrain from taking photos of particular environments. After all, slum houses are peoples' homes and I am a guest who is fortunate enough to be allowed in to see them. Should you like to see slums and the poorest of the poor, it's a quick Google search away.

Accra's Black Star Square- Parade Ground for Ghana's Independence Day

Week 1:

Various Ghanaian food items including fish,
 Jolof rice, red-red, plantains, chicken, and beans

This first week in Ghana has sprung forward the immediate differences between life in a developed nation and a developing nation.  Some specific differences includes the sights and sounds of the chaotic traffic of Accra rush hour, the aroma and taste of the unique cuisine Ghana has to offer, including local favourites such as fried plantains and Jolof rice, being introduced into the world of cold showers, wearing pants in humid 30+ degree weather, low internet connection, daily malaria pills and tro tros (local transportation) and being, for the first time in my life, a minority in a country heavily misinformed about the realities of Canada (which, to be fair, I 100 percent expect and accept that as an expat in this country, in both good and bad cases). While these are all changes I could go into much more detail about, I want to start my first story being about community: the driving force of everyday life here in Ghana.

There is a saying about Ghana that it hosts the "friendliest people you will meet in all of Africa". While I have not yet seen all of the world's second largest continent to state that claim, the Ghanaian people are putting up a good argument in favour of that statement. You see, from the moment I got off of the plane, the Ghanaian people have been nothing short of kind and supportive. Whether it is the sacrifice local EQWIP HUB staff have made to make sure that fellow volunteers and I have been transitioning well into Ghana or the kindness of random people on the streets making sure we as new arrivals are adjusting to the Ghanaian way of life , the community that people have for each other here is something that can't be ignored. Sure, in the local tourist traps, such as Oxford Street and Labadi beach, it is easy to find individuals who know what rewards they may reap for helping and selling to the amused tourist; however, it is outside the main blocks that one may encounter some of the culturally engraved aspects of a community.  

Beach off the Gulf of Guinea. If you can see the black dots in the water those are fishing boats. 

Upon spending our first Saturday here in the Accra, a brief meet and greet with hostel staff struck up a conversation about the common sayings in Ghana and understanding the local language (Twi). The conversation eventually led to the invitation to a local birthday party that evening. Unaware of the individual celebrating his or her birthday, we felt it was unfair for us to come; however, as locals in Ghana know it, unless specified, a celebration is opened to all who chose to come. Upon arriving at the party, we soon learned this to be the case from those hosting the party and without, knowing anyone but the individuals who brought us, our whole night, in regards to food and drinks, was covered. Those hosting the party were happy we had come and had the opportunity to meet them; meanwhile, I believe I can say this on behalf of the volunteer group, we were just happy to finally begin seeing what community living means and how it will help shape how the next 8 months will go. As I move out of the hostel tomorrow, into the neighbourhoods of Accra for the next two weeks, I cannot wait to continue to learn and see what community life is all about.