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Ghana Welcome to Ghana! My Journey!
As I sore threw the sky, I noticed Ghana was east from Cote d’Ivoire, west from Togo, and south from Burkina. I passed what they call, The Haramattan. It seemed very dry and dusty. Adom, my friend, told me it blows from the south of the Sahara into the Gulf of Guinea. I was amazed on how far it blows. Soon we arrived to a small town in Accra, the capital of Ghana. Since I arrived to Ghana in December in was 100 degrees. Though, since I was in the south east region, I only had to deal with 74 degrees. Night had fallen upon Ghana. I went with Adon to his house for the night. I couldn't’t wait for tomorrow, I was awake for almost the hole night in wonders.
As I walked with Adon, he told me about the religion. I never knew they were Christians and Islam's. Though it doesn't’t affect on how they dress. I heard a little about Europe ruling Africa but I never knew England ruled Ghana. It was pretty easy to communicate with people because their official language is English. Sometimes I needed a translate because some spoke what they call Akan, Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga-Adangme. I wish I had time to learn these languages. The British ruling Ghana must have really affected them, mainly in language, because their main language might have never been their official language. Later that that they Adon invited me to his house for some lunch. We ate NKATEWAN which was chicken stew and for dessert we ate Accra Banana which was Peanut Cake. It was all delicious! Afterwards, Adon and I accompanied by various children went to a famous Griot’s story telling house. Adon whispered to me that many children don’t go to school, instead the gather around a griot and listen to their wonderful stories. I asked one kid what his favorite story was and he replied, “ Anansi The Spider!” and he turned around and kept listening to the griots story. Then we all danced and listen to music. Some people danced the Frara, which I noticed it was preformed by columns of line dancers moving in synchronization. Also by concentrating on foot tamping with few hand and body movement. Other people were doing what they call the Akan's. I noticed it was foot work, coordinate with infricate hand and body movement. Some people were listening to one of the most popular music in Ghana, Afro-Jazz. I kind of liked it. I also saw various art work on the wall. Adon told me they were one of the most famous artifacts of Ghana. Adon said they were cloth and gold weights and stools of the Ashanti.. I was exhausted after we left. Awaiting the next day, I went to sleep.
As I woke up, Adon told me that we had a visit with the president. I was filled with joy! I had so many questions to ask. As he arrived I asked the president, John Dramani Mahama, what their main exports? He answered me and told me that is was cocoa, timber, fish, and manganese. Then I asked him Ghana's main natural resources, he said they were gold, bauxite, aluminum, and diamonds. Then I he told me a little bit about the country's history. The first thing he told me was they were ruled by Britain until 1957. They basically gained their independence when Great Britain relinquished its control over the colony of Gold Coast. He also added that Ghana was the first black colony to gain its independence from Great Britain. He noted that poverty is a huge effect since it gained its independence. Like the Untied States, you have to be 18 years or older to vote for the Ghanaian president. Also, every four years voting is held for a President and Vice President. Ghana is a multiparty democracy apparently. I left with my mind all full. I just wanted to rest, so I did.
Walking along my side, Adon, I saw a sign about HIV/AIDs. I asked Adon what was up with that. He told me that HIV/AIDs and tuberculosis were major growing problems. I was shocked to know that. Many of the Ghana people looked very healthy. I told him to tell me about their facilities. Adon replied and said that they are limited and understaffed outside of major cities. He also said that most of the hospital admissions come from malaria. I couldn't’t handle this much tragic stuff so I had a glass of water. Though, he told me not to because Ghana’s sewer system are serious threats. I was devastated, so I went around with Adon playing with various children. Their smile lighten my heart up. Afterwards I went to Adon’s house to await my last day.
As I was watching the news I knew I had to leave right when Adon woke up. In English, of course, they said that Ghanaian officials swore in a new president Tuesday hours after the death of the West African nations leader. I knew this was old news from a week or two ago so I changed the channel to a current one. They said that students are turning into gamblers as teachers continue to strike. Adon woke up, he broke my heart when he told me we had to leave. I was walking to my airplane. Adon along my side. He told me he was going to stay to help his country. I respected his decision. I gave him a snow globe from New York. He smiled and gave me a Lion Tooth neck less. We smiled and hugged. As I aborted my plain I said my last goodbye to Ghana and Adon. The plain lifted and I was of!
