The Ghanaian people are self named the “sunshine people” for their peaceful demeanor, in this largely Christian country surrounded by neighbors in upheaval. And they seem to be innocently content going on about their lives, with few needs and seemingly fewer opportunities. Though early education is free and “compulsory”, the challenge exists with parents who disregard the mandates and keep their children at home to be useful. Women here are considered the “softer sex” and their role is clearly understood. Young girls are raised with their place squarely in the kitchen and household. This does not seem to be regarded as necessarily a lesser role, as much as it is universally accepted. However, male children remain close to their mothers all their life, even consulting them for advice and marriage prospects, and using them as the conduit to their fathers.
Organized tours seem to be the easiest, most reliable way to maximize our one-day visits in some of these more primitive ports so, once again, we took off on a bus over the rough, bumpy, potholed, and often unpaved roads with our local guide, Kofi. His name means “Friday” in the indigenous language called Akan which, he explained, is because the people here are typically named for the day of the week on which they were born.
Past a cocoa factory, the local hospital, Monkey Hill and the wetlands, we visited the geographic twin towns of Takoradi and Sekondi, together known simply as the Twin City, though Takoradi is actually split into two parts, a beachside area with hotels and restaurants, and, a couple of miles inland, it’s rough big brother, the hub of city life, the centerpiece of which is the raucous Circular Market.
Along the beach, we passed the old Dutch “Fort Orange”, originally built as a trading post on the Dutch Gold Coast in 1642, and enlarged to a fort in 1690. On to Sekondi, we stopped at the suffocatingly crowded and rank fishing market as the many colorful, painted boats with laundry and belongings strung out to dry from bow to stern, were unloading their bountiful catch.
In sharp contrast, and testament to Ghana’s diversity, we were whisked off to the nearby Raybow Hotel, and treated to a cold beverage, snacks, and indigenous music and dance entertainment while we wandered the manicured grounds of the beachfront resort.
The face of Ghana may be changing, as they strive to become a developed country through their resources of an emerging digital based manufacturing economy, industrial minerals, including being the world’s seventh largest producer of gold, and discovery of a massive abundance of sweet crude oil and natural gas, evidenced by the looming tankers and oil rigs dotted offshore. Even our aspiring guide, Kofi, had recently trained for and applied to become a licensed gold dealer with expectations of achieving his certificate in several months. With that ambition and their sunshine attitude, maybe anything can happen.
Interesting place. I can imagine the smells down by the fishing docks, as I don’t see much ice being used to keep the fish from spoiling. Great photography!