There is an old saying in the U.S. used for many experiences called 'Hurry Up and Wait'. It generally refers to a situation where you need to get something done or have an appointment with someone. You are dashing around to meet a time deadline only to encounter a significant delay from the person or organization you were rushing to meet with.
In Ghana, things are a bit different. Here there is Wait, Wait, Wait...then Hurry Up!
Example:
When I was here last January, I had meetings with the local Rotary club partnering on our grant. They were very interested in the other programs Rotary Club to End Human Trafficking Economic Development Initiative (say that 10 time fast!) had that might aid their club goals. Between January and now, I had numerous communications. I had indicated the dates I would be in Ghana and the days I had specifically set aside for meeting with club members. Crickets. Not a peep in response.
Instead what happened was my primary contact told me he was meeting with the club on planning the day before the one I'd left open. On that Monday, he texted me and asked if I would be available for a Zoom cal at 5pm. That call led to two other meetings this week. Suddenly, there is all kinds of activity.
Why should this surprise me? Some of you might remember I wrote about this during my very first trip to Ghana where I could not get anything scheduled before I arrived. But once I was there, I was overwhelmed with meetings.
Somehow accepting certain aspects of the culture still seem to elude me.
