More Ghana

Things move slowly here. It’s hot, so we get up early to walk on the beach. We come back sweaty for a slow breakfast of Ghanaian omelet, two pieces of toast, a squeeze packet of margarine that says “Do not refrigerate”, tea, and a bowl of fresh orange, banana, mango, and pineapple. 

Yesterday’s main adventure was Cape Coast University. Meg’s dad stopped in Ghana during WW2 - back when planes could only fly 300 or so miles per day. Someone took him to the beach and offered him fresh pineapple - he loved it. So when he had the option to get a Fulbright grant in 1968, bringing his family and coming here to teach for a year, he jumped on it. Meg was 6 when she arrived, and she attended the Primary School associated with the University. Yesterday we walked over to the University and visited her old school. 

We waded right into the school, through hundreds of kids at recess with very little supervision. No one seemed worried about it, and two girls cheerfully took us to the office. The assistant “principle” abandoned what he was doing and took us on a tour of the school. 

Meg was of course most interested in the primary classrooms for 4 and 5 year olds. Here she is with one of the kindergarten teachers. The school has expanded so much that her second form classroom is now part of the school used just for the youngest kids. 

Each classroom was bursting at the seams, but the children seemed cheerful and focused. At least until we came into their room - we were a huge distraction! This school is partly funded and supported by the University, and does charge fees, but less than most private schools. So many of these kids were associated with the University or from other “middle class” families from Cape Coast and surroundings communities. 

Next, Meg gathered her courage, and we dropped in, unannounced, at the Department of Basic Education. We ended up talking to two professors who do research in early childhood education. So interesting. Both were so welcoming. Meg is hopeful that she can find an ongoing partnership somewhere here. 

Last evening, we climbed up to a tower overlooking the town to see the city lights. The tower was built hundreds of years ago - it’s falling apart. In the US, it would have been barricaded off. Here, a family was happily squatting in it, “watching” over it. I’m glad we got to see the view. 

This morning, we took a shared taxi to Elmira, a little fishing village 12 km along the shore. Small, medium and large traditional pirogues, or fishing boats, bobbed in the natural harbor. The market was mobbed - so Meg didn’t take me - and full of fresh fish. Meg bought me a bag of water that was almost entirely frozen - one of my favorite moments of the trip!

Meg is finishing up our shopping, and tomorrow we start the journey home!