Its been a long while.. ..sort of an understatement I think.
The last time I wrote on this blog I was in someone's country...now am back home. Its taken me awhile but i think am settled now. Well if you call still staying at your fathers house and still driving your mums car as settled then I am as settled as it gets!
I have decided to enter back into the world of blogging so help me GOD.
I am at work today, on a not soo hot Friday afternoon, BBC weather says its raining in Accra, but I cant see any clouds..the clouds I see from my office window look bright..not the dark thunder lightning clouds.Am thinking about how to spend the Saturday.Got some house hunting to do.(well that is another story all together for another day and am sure I can write a whole book on it..well another day..)I think I have finally decided on it, but want to see it for the final time this weekend before I give the go ahead.
I am making a modest pledge of posting 1 blog per week come what may.rain or shine.
Friday, 8 October 2010
Friday, 5 March 2010
Chicks or what?
I wonder what goes into people selecting a church to attend. Is it nearness , friends, or just to mix in with some sort of crowd. I remember attending a particular church when I was in my teens mostly because most of my classmates attended that church. I felt left out especially because on Monday mornings I couldn’t partake in the chats of how interesting church was on Sunday.
I therefore decided to mix with this special Sunday crowd, my mum didn’t particularly like the idea since I was changing from an orthodox/protestant church to a very charismatic hand clapping, foot thumping, no lipstick, kind of church. Well it wasn’t so much different (fundamentally I mean) from our hymn singing sometimes ‘’ebibi nyom’’ kind of church afterall. I enjoyed it so much I attended church there till I moved to boarding house.
By the way as I have mentioned orthodox church , I have found that what we mean by orthodox in Ghana-Roman, Presby, Anglican, Methodist isn’t what the outside call orthodox. In Europe and elsewhere Orthodox is really orthodox—old..Greek,Armenian,Ethiopian, eastern European kind of churches. We aren’t so orthodox after all.
Recently a friend (well most of my friends) have started attending a particular church in town. The word is that there are lots of chicks there. And well I agree with them on that one. Don’t ask me how I know, but I just happen to. The chicks in that church are really ‘’blessed’’ in all aspects.
In University I happened to attend a particular famous church in town, because , the conditions to attend church there was too great only the devil would have refused. On Sundays special buses were dispatched to campus mid-morning. Exactly at the same time that orthodox churches on campus finished sermon. These special buses would ferry anyone to and from campus. And not only that; after church there was special takeaway fried rice and chicken for those saints of us who have gone through all the trouble just to attend church service.Fried rice and chicken! Exclaimed any hungry guy who heard of this treat, when is the next service? “Charlie make you remind me next week ohhh…. make I go chop some”
I therefore decided to mix with this special Sunday crowd, my mum didn’t particularly like the idea since I was changing from an orthodox/protestant church to a very charismatic hand clapping, foot thumping, no lipstick, kind of church. Well it wasn’t so much different (fundamentally I mean) from our hymn singing sometimes ‘’ebibi nyom’’ kind of church afterall. I enjoyed it so much I attended church there till I moved to boarding house.
By the way as I have mentioned orthodox church , I have found that what we mean by orthodox in Ghana-Roman, Presby, Anglican, Methodist isn’t what the outside call orthodox. In Europe and elsewhere Orthodox is really orthodox—old..Greek,Armenian,Ethiopian, eastern European kind of churches. We aren’t so orthodox after all.
Recently a friend (well most of my friends) have started attending a particular church in town. The word is that there are lots of chicks there. And well I agree with them on that one. Don’t ask me how I know, but I just happen to. The chicks in that church are really ‘’blessed’’ in all aspects.
In University I happened to attend a particular famous church in town, because , the conditions to attend church there was too great only the devil would have refused. On Sundays special buses were dispatched to campus mid-morning. Exactly at the same time that orthodox churches on campus finished sermon. These special buses would ferry anyone to and from campus. And not only that; after church there was special takeaway fried rice and chicken for those saints of us who have gone through all the trouble just to attend church service.Fried rice and chicken! Exclaimed any hungry guy who heard of this treat, when is the next service? “Charlie make you remind me next week ohhh…. make I go chop some”
Friday, 26 February 2010
The Noah principle
I heard this principle/rule from a friend. I thought I have heard of all these stuff but this was quite new to me and so I thought I would share them with you. It is called the Noah principle (means: predicting rain won't save anyone! build an ark). I have put my own meanings to it though, but the principle remains the same.
As some would remember, Noah according to the Bible saved humanity from extinction by building an ark (hence he just didn’t predict rain but also offered a solution by building an ark). Those who have not heard the story it has the same plot as the movie where Morgan Freeman plays GOd. Whats the name*:-))))
1. Build some arks.
We have to build arks when we have a problem and not just predict a rainfall. Predicting rainfall is so stone age, even the Ghana Meteo Service can do it.
2. Get on board.
You’ve got to share the problem as well as the solution. Don’t forget the reaction Noah got. But the conviction to be heard was there.
3. Show up on time and be prepared. Don’t miss the boat.
The rain as you’ve predicted will surely come. Make sure you don’t get locked out of your own boat. It will be folly if after all you get caught out.
In short, act your solution.
5. Have faith. Build confidence
Have faith,confidence,balls etc in your abilities.Remember that Noah was not a boat builder, most probably he might have been a small scale farmer, yet her went ahead to build a big ark.
As some would remember, Noah according to the Bible saved humanity from extinction by building an ark (hence he just didn’t predict rain but also offered a solution by building an ark). Those who have not heard the story it has the same plot as the movie where Morgan Freeman plays GOd. Whats the name*:-))))
1. Build some arks.
We have to build arks when we have a problem and not just predict a rainfall. Predicting rainfall is so stone age, even the Ghana Meteo Service can do it.
2. Get on board.
You’ve got to share the problem as well as the solution. Don’t forget the reaction Noah got. But the conviction to be heard was there.
3. Show up on time and be prepared. Don’t miss the boat.
The rain as you’ve predicted will surely come. Make sure you don’t get locked out of your own boat. It will be folly if after all you get caught out.
In short, act your solution.
5. Have faith. Build confidence
Have faith,confidence,balls etc in your abilities.Remember that Noah was not a boat builder, most probably he might have been a small scale farmer, yet her went ahead to build a big ark.
Friday, 12 February 2010
Of late I have been witnessing some worrying trends. I often read the newspapers on my way home when I can, and make it a point to look at the crime news (don't ask me why?) I always see a Ghanaian name or face. yes 75% of the time. These are usually children brought up here. Its quite sad. Just about a month ago, 2 brothers were sentenced to like 20 years for knife related crimes and they both carried typical Ghanaian names.
Its a shame and I dont know why this keeps happening.
Anyway on a good note I was happy to see a Ghanaian-American (Addai)playing in the superbowl last Sunday. And a good luck to Kwame Nkrumah Acheampong as he carries Ghana's flag in the winter olympics beginning this friday. All the best to our first Olympic skier. The Ghanaian can do anything even ski.!!
Its a shame and I dont know why this keeps happening.
Anyway on a good note I was happy to see a Ghanaian-American (Addai)playing in the superbowl last Sunday. And a good luck to Kwame Nkrumah Acheampong as he carries Ghana's flag in the winter olympics beginning this friday. All the best to our first Olympic skier. The Ghanaian can do anything even ski.!!
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Suicide or Homicide.
Do you know the main difference between a white man and blackwoman. I mean apart from the fact of the differences in skin colour,blushing,poverty… mode of having sex etc.etc. Yeah apart from this,, there is also another significant difference,. Let me tell you,
Whites commit suicide and blacks homicide. Think about it!
No black person, be they African, African American, Blacktino or Chinegro ever die on their own.
In Africa no person ever die on their own. They are always murdered by somebody. Even a 99 year old sick woman dies because of a witch or wizard in the family who wants to settle a stone age family feud..
In America, blacks die and there is a huge conspiracy!. Think Tupac, Biggie Smalls.
Compare and contrast Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley, both stars in their own right, they die in the twilight of their careers. Cause of murder? MJ’s was a homicide, Elvis suicide.
Shit how many blacks commit suicide. Behind every black suicide there is a murderer waiting to be found.
Whites commit suicide and blacks homicide. Think about it!
No black person, be they African, African American, Blacktino or Chinegro ever die on their own.
In Africa no person ever die on their own. They are always murdered by somebody. Even a 99 year old sick woman dies because of a witch or wizard in the family who wants to settle a stone age family feud..
In America, blacks die and there is a huge conspiracy!. Think Tupac, Biggie Smalls.
Compare and contrast Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley, both stars in their own right, they die in the twilight of their careers. Cause of murder? MJ’s was a homicide, Elvis suicide.
Shit how many blacks commit suicide. Behind every black suicide there is a murderer waiting to be found.
Friday, 21 August 2009
Living in Ghana.-Do's and donts.
A friend of mine was visiting Accra and asked me for some tips on life in Accra. Below are some of the advice I offered.
1. Ghanaians eat a lot of meat (or sorry chicken). Usually when a Ghanaian says meat he/she is actually referring to chicken. And when he/she says chicken, it is meant 1 out of 3 parts of the chicken wing.
2. When offered meat (usually goat/cow meat) Don’t be surprised if happen to find the skin (and some fur of the goat) along with the meat. Be polite for your Ghanaian host is doing you a big favour!. In actual fact the skin (wele) is considered a delicacy in Ghana. Other people wear animal skin, Ghanaians chew animal skin. There is a whole wele industry in Ghana, whose main function is to roll the skin from the meat and sell to folks around the country. Try it and you’ll never buy PK again.
3. PK- You will hear this initials being hollered by hawkers along the streets of Accra. This is a popular chewing gum produced by Wrigleys Company in the UK. It’s usually sold by people between the ages of 0- 25. PK is not the only product these hawkers sell, on their head they carry, plantain chips, on their backs is toilet roll (-you never know when! ), in their other hand are some tiny apples. A few meters back from the street are some pirated movies of the latest Hollywood blockbusters to be released in 2 years time. If you don’t chew PK you will certainly get something to buy from these hawkers.
4. As we are on the road let me just explain a few details, if you happen to drive in Ghana, know this that, laissez faire is the popular mode of driving in Accra. You can break a lot of rules whilst driving but get this, never cross a red traffic light. You can do all things, such as go on a 50 meter reverse on a highway, etc but never cross a red traffic light. The police stations in Ghana are so small that usually the some policemen try to catch some “shade” from the scorching heat by sitting on their motor bikes under the “shadeless” traffic light. Hence be your innocent self when you get to traffic lights. If you break any rule, your cash will .....
Ghana is on the left hand drive but don’t be surprised if you find another car coming exactly opposite you on the road. Probably he’s seen no police man around and just trying to dodge traffic. If you are also in a hurry, make a quick turn and follow this daring driver.
2 b cont'd.
1. Ghanaians eat a lot of meat (or sorry chicken). Usually when a Ghanaian says meat he/she is actually referring to chicken. And when he/she says chicken, it is meant 1 out of 3 parts of the chicken wing.
2. When offered meat (usually goat/cow meat) Don’t be surprised if happen to find the skin (and some fur of the goat) along with the meat. Be polite for your Ghanaian host is doing you a big favour!. In actual fact the skin (wele) is considered a delicacy in Ghana. Other people wear animal skin, Ghanaians chew animal skin. There is a whole wele industry in Ghana, whose main function is to roll the skin from the meat and sell to folks around the country. Try it and you’ll never buy PK again.
3. PK- You will hear this initials being hollered by hawkers along the streets of Accra. This is a popular chewing gum produced by Wrigleys Company in the UK. It’s usually sold by people between the ages of 0- 25. PK is not the only product these hawkers sell, on their head they carry, plantain chips, on their backs is toilet roll (-you never know when! ), in their other hand are some tiny apples. A few meters back from the street are some pirated movies of the latest Hollywood blockbusters to be released in 2 years time. If you don’t chew PK you will certainly get something to buy from these hawkers.
4. As we are on the road let me just explain a few details, if you happen to drive in Ghana, know this that, laissez faire is the popular mode of driving in Accra. You can break a lot of rules whilst driving but get this, never cross a red traffic light. You can do all things, such as go on a 50 meter reverse on a highway, etc but never cross a red traffic light. The police stations in Ghana are so small that usually the some policemen try to catch some “shade” from the scorching heat by sitting on their motor bikes under the “shadeless” traffic light. Hence be your innocent self when you get to traffic lights. If you break any rule, your cash will .....
Ghana is on the left hand drive but don’t be surprised if you find another car coming exactly opposite you on the road. Probably he’s seen no police man around and just trying to dodge traffic. If you are also in a hurry, make a quick turn and follow this daring driver.
2 b cont'd.
Friday, 14 August 2009
Second Hand Clothing in Ghana
The number one distinguishing feature of second hand clothing in Ghana is the smell. It used to be the price, but currently one can’t tell the difference anymore between, second hand clothing and brand new clothing. They are both very expensive now, the cloth dealers are now also pegging their prices to the dollar. This means that one does not necessarily ought to have a PhD in tight monetary policy to understand foreign exchange depreciation.
For those unaware, second clothing shipped to Ghana all have a unique distinct smell. A sort of indescribable tingy smell you never smell anywhere else. Yes for over 3 or so decades the second hand clothing in Ghana all have this unique smell. This scent is not washed away easily. And especially for those who do not want to be associated with wearing second hand clothing this could prove to be quite embarrassing to them. Because the scent is so recognisable by everybody, even those who claim they’ve never worn one of these second hands.(hmm I wonder how they got to know)). So when one gets a first class selection of second hands (usually from Kant or TS) the first thing which comes to mind is the cleansing aspect. You get home and try it on again in a full length mirror to see how well it fits.(Because second hand dealers have no business for trying it on- you buy based on your gut instincts alone).’caveat emptor’- It’s a buyer beware sort of thing. You pray it fits well or it doesn’t have a fault which have been cleverly hidden from you by the seller.. yes they can do this very well and you’d ask yourself how come you never saw the flaw at the time of sale.))
After a couple of fashion critics at home agree with you that this is definitely a good fit of “London wear”, you go a get a bucket and strong home washing detergent to do a thorough washing till all traces of that second hand aroma is done with.
Very often after all omo, key soap , first and second washing and the smell/odour still remains. Show me a longer lasting perfume and I’ll buy it. After, you have to dry the clothes in a well ventilated area for the African sun to do its job. Mind you its only a second hand with less than half a life- if care is not taken, in the attempt to get rid of the odour, the life of the second hand attire will give up. So you don’t wash it too much..
Another way of getting rid of this unwashable smell is simply to wear it, yes it works, just put it on at home for a day or 2 before you do the washing, it makes it more simpler.
By the way can you imagine if someone decides to change this second hand smell/odour/scent? I bet it would not be the same anymore wearing them. It would be the end of an era, how would you know that what you are buying is actually from Yankee/London and not from China or those Togo cheap-fake-imitation- last only 1 week shada?
For those unaware, second clothing shipped to Ghana all have a unique distinct smell. A sort of indescribable tingy smell you never smell anywhere else. Yes for over 3 or so decades the second hand clothing in Ghana all have this unique smell. This scent is not washed away easily. And especially for those who do not want to be associated with wearing second hand clothing this could prove to be quite embarrassing to them. Because the scent is so recognisable by everybody, even those who claim they’ve never worn one of these second hands.(hmm I wonder how they got to know)). So when one gets a first class selection of second hands (usually from Kant or TS) the first thing which comes to mind is the cleansing aspect. You get home and try it on again in a full length mirror to see how well it fits.(Because second hand dealers have no business for trying it on- you buy based on your gut instincts alone).’caveat emptor’- It’s a buyer beware sort of thing. You pray it fits well or it doesn’t have a fault which have been cleverly hidden from you by the seller.. yes they can do this very well and you’d ask yourself how come you never saw the flaw at the time of sale.))
After a couple of fashion critics at home agree with you that this is definitely a good fit of “London wear”, you go a get a bucket and strong home washing detergent to do a thorough washing till all traces of that second hand aroma is done with.
Very often after all omo, key soap , first and second washing and the smell/odour still remains. Show me a longer lasting perfume and I’ll buy it. After, you have to dry the clothes in a well ventilated area for the African sun to do its job. Mind you its only a second hand with less than half a life- if care is not taken, in the attempt to get rid of the odour, the life of the second hand attire will give up. So you don’t wash it too much..
Another way of getting rid of this unwashable smell is simply to wear it, yes it works, just put it on at home for a day or 2 before you do the washing, it makes it more simpler.
By the way can you imagine if someone decides to change this second hand smell/odour/scent? I bet it would not be the same anymore wearing them. It would be the end of an era, how would you know that what you are buying is actually from Yankee/London and not from China or those Togo cheap-fake-imitation- last only 1 week shada?
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