‘Ghana gave me more than I could have asked for in 4 weeks’

By Ishan Reese

I ARRIVED in Ghana on September 1st, thrilled to be in a new country, let alone on a new continent. Despite my enthusiasm for arriving in a place new to me, I was unsure about how I would handle the next month I would be spending in Ghana, as it was my first time being away from my family for such an extended period of time.

Now, four weeks later with my departure date nearing, it is incredulous how rapidly time has passed, and all I can do is reflect on how I’ve loved my time in Ghana so very much. 

This past month that I’ve been in Accra has seen me working at two internships through Projects Abroad. My first two weeks were spent at Merton & Everett LLC, a progressive law firm here in Accra with a dedicated focus on human rights.

During part of my time with the firm, we attended the International Conference on Ocean Governance held at the University of Ghana. Through the topics discussed at the conference – where a multitude of academics, researchers, and policymakers presented on issues within Ghana’s maritime boundaries – and my work with legal documents in the office, I gained an appreciation for how law and policy can be applied to my interests in international relations and development.

I additionally appreciated being part of Merton & Everett’s truly dedicated and driven team in their fight for justice across Ghana.

My second two weeks in Accra saw me working with Zed Multimedia, a media house in East Legon. My days were spent witnessing the behind the scenes action of a media center and the extensive preparation that goes into a finished newspaper, radio program, or TV report.

My work with Zed also brought me around Accra, as I shadowed journalist Abdulai Saaka and his coverage of stories throughout the city; these story seeking outings included courthouse trips, visiting an industrial convention at the International Conference Centre, and attending a Youth Peace and Security workshop at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre.

I’ve been interested to gain insights into the news topics currently in the national spotlight, such the protests surrounding galamsey and its devastating effects on the country (protests which were led by Merton & Everett’s Oliver Barker-Vormawor to advocate for ending the harmful practice).

I’ve additionally valued learning about Ghana’s history through everyday conversation, visiting the Kwame Nkrumah Museum, and especially through my visit to Cape Coast Castle. Walking about the castle was a powerful experience as a Black person from the United States who has not yet seen such landmarks of the slave trade on the African continent.

From observing the conditions of the dungeons, to standing in the room of no return, the indescribable feeling of knowing what occurred in these castles centuries ago was unsettling to say the least.

Walking through the door of no return and laying eyes on the vast Atlantic Ocean felt like a culmination of the historic horrors enslaved people were coerced into, and symbolic of the terrifying uncertainty beyond those doors for those before us.

Back in Accra, I met the founder and former director of Projects Abroad, Peter Slowe, for dinner one evening. He told me about a school in Akokoa Village that Projects Abroad volunteers had helped construct – the Tore Eikeland Primary School, named in honor of Tore Eikeland, a young Norwegian political prodigy who was tragically killed in the 2011 Norway Attacks; and the Karen Slowe Junior High School, named in memory of Mr. Slowe’s late wife.

I made a weekday visit to the school at Akokoa, where director Mr. Prince Bondzie gave me a tour of the school complex. He explained how the school operates under the values and principles of Tore Eikeland, who believed in education as a solution to the world’s problems, and that educating students could bring change to communities and students’ lives.

The Karen Slowe Junior High School was named in honor of Mrs. Slowe’s love for Ghana, and her commitment to outreach, assistance, and development in local communities. Mr. Prince said that the school differs from other primary schools by emphasizing the teaching of extracurricular activities, such as music, football, debate, and environmental education, so as to find students’ unique potentials and help them achieve them.

Before the existence of the Akokoa school, young students had to walk along the busy main road to their previous school – a journey that worried many parents and compelled many to keep their younger children home.

This would result in many students only beginning their primary education at later ages. In addition to better education access, the new school also provides students with free education, as well as four free lunches weekly. While standing in the middle of the primary school complex, Mr. Prince informed me that each building in its entirety was built by volunteers in collaboration with locals.

“As a Ghanaian,” he expressed, “that is something I really appreciate … [volunteers] pay to come here and experience Ghana, but what they leave behind is invaluable.”

Today, Projects Abroad volunteers still collaborate with the Akokua school, as well as other schools throughout Ghana. Even myself and another volunteer from Japan named Aki spent an afternoon helping paint a new classroom for the Jamestown Gbekebii School here in Accra. 

These experiences have made up the core of my time here in Ghana, but it is the everyday conversations with the people I’ve met that have been so significant to me during my time here. My host mother, Ms. Favour Johnson, graciously welcomed me to her home when I arrived, and has been such a warm, caring, and friendly host to me.

She was always curious to learn about me and my life experiences, and I likewise enjoyed hearing her stories and perspectives during our always fruitful dinner conversations. Not to mention meeting her son, Bobo, who I enjoyed getting to know and playing basketball with, as well as getting to know two other volunteers staying with Ms. Favour, Aki and Emma (both from Japan).

Mr. Theophilus, the Projects Abroad coordinator, has been an amazing friend to me here in Ghana. He was always going out of his way to support me throughout the month, and additionally had endless jokes to keep me on my toes!

I was always learning from or laughing with Theophilus, and those interactions are ones that I will always remember.

I took my weekend trips outside of Accra with Abdul Muksin, who runs his own travel company called AMAR Adventures. I was able to visit so much in the short time I was here, and my extensive conversations with Abdul about life in Ghana versus life in the US further added to the value of the trips as they included perspectives and insights I appreciated learning about.

There are many little things that have also contributed to my appreciation for my time in Ghana: my love for Red Red; navigating the trotro system; the already nostalgic sound of Eben’s Victory playing in Mr. Nyami’s taxi.

While I will find it hard to leave this country after appreciating my time here so immensely, it is these people, these experiences, and these interactions with Ghanaian society that make me so eager to return here very soon.

Medaase Ghana!