Our first day was having Wife actually see what all this that she's heard of for years and meet the people. This included both participants, as well as, our Ghana Board members. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures of her with our team. But I did get a few of her with the Board.
Wife with JA, one of the most valuable of our Board members. He did a nice presentation to Wife
Our Ghana Board - MF, JA & AA
On Friday, we were doing touring in Accra
First, a new memorial (name forgotten) for a recent President who died in office.
Statue of the deceased President with our living driver MF
Then on to Osu Castle
This is one of many fortifications built by European powers starting in the 16th century to facilitate the slave trade.
Osu Castle was originally developed by the Danish in the 1600's, taken over by the Portuguese, and then the English.
This black stone on the entrance was the symbol for those captured and brought in that they were no longer individuals and free, but were now slaves.
There were dungeons where the new slaves were kept until ready to be sold and transported.
From this vantage point, purchasers would select the slaves they wanted to transport to the new world.
This doorway was the 'Door of No Return'
Once slaves went through here, they were put onto ships for the New World and their life as slave laborers.
However, when the slave trade ended the castle was converted to the headquarters of the British colonial government. It subsequently became the first presidential office for the new Republic of Ghana after independence was achieved in 1957.
Osu Castle is on the 50 Cedi bill!
This is the former office of the Presidents of the Republic
And this is a picture of former President Jerry John Rawlings
Jerry John Rawlings is one of the most controversial and complicated figures in Ghana history. While he was accused of authoritarian rule and atrocities, he also handed power over peacefully to democratic rule, laying the foundation for Ghana being one of the very few stable democracies in Africa.
Nkrumah Memorial
Kwame Nkrumah, the most public initiator of Ghanaian independence was equally complicated but more universally renowned in public history as the Father of Independence and the Republic.
Black Star Square
(The Black Star symbol was pulled from African American Marcus Garvey who created the Black Star shipping line to empower Black economic development after WWI)
Our second day of touring was focused on going to a village some ways out of Accra. Let's just say it was a bust. I take the blame as I pulled the option out of the list of potential things to do as we've had some really great village visiting experiences in the past in other countries. This experience consisted of us driving 2+ hours in heavy traffic and rough roads (apologies Wife, we were actually on the GOOD ROAD during the vast majority of the time), turning on to a rutted, dirt road with numerous deep, muddy spots to go the final way to the village. Our driver (who understands these kinds of driving but has a sedan, not a 4x4) was clearly getting very stressed out as we are going through the countryside with not much signs of human activity other than a few farmer folks walking the dirt road.
We finally reached the village. Our guide talked to some of the people who were there and asked permission for us to take pictures. I will simply say that the Wife and I felt incredibly uncomfortable and out-of-place and bailed after about 10 minutes. There was supposed to be a museum further down the road. But encountering a really bad muddy area and hearing the stress in the driver's voice, I pulled rank and had us turn around.
My limited number of village pictures before retreating
We were very hungry at that point. Getting back to the main road, our guide located a restaurant, called them, confirmed they were open. It was only 5 minutes away. It was located in a small hotel. Arriving there are no customers. The server, a young woman, seems to know nothing about what is being offered. We're given a menu and told that only one thing on the whole menu can be given to us in less that 45 minutes. Begrudgingly, a second option is offered. We choose them, but the second option doesn't come out until 20 minutes after the first so we have two waves of eating. Then as we leave, a local arrives, He has a two minute conversation, sits down and is served local food immediately. I was pissed. Thankfully the place was listed on Google so I was able to put up a scathing review as we were driving away.
Ah the joys of travel. It's all about the experience. And experiences are not always great. BUT the bad ones are usually the ones that turn into great stories in the future.
Road Food
Our guide and driver are determined to have me show my capabilities as a real gastrointestinal roulette player. They were buying all kinds of things from vendors walking between the cars during our journey. It is almost 48 hours later and I'm still alive. So far I'm a winner.
A lot is done with corn. This is essentially a corn fritter. The outside was very crunchy and it was slightly sweet. I rate it not bad.
This is a pudding made from Tiger Nuts. It was warm. And it was pretty good though very filling. Tiger Nuts are evidently very nutritious.
This is some kind of fried fresh cheese thing. It was also warm. Not that crazy about it.
This is corn with peanuts steamed in corn husks. Sadly it was cold. Would have been much better warm which is the way it is supposed to.
The transaction of getting it.
SIGNS OF THE WORLD
Sorry falconry enthusiasts. You are NOT welcome in Ghana,
