Laban Carrick Hill

Ghana Journal

Aspects of Life In Ghana: Observations

1.
I was assigned an office in the English Department the first day I arrived at the University of Cape Coast. They did not have a key for me so I couldn’t go into the office. After a couple of days, someone decided that I could borrow the key that the department office had as long as I returned it. I was promised that I would receive a key of my own any day. A week later, a carpenter has shown up with a new lock to replace the lock on my door. I will receive a copy of the key to this new lock.

There is a delay, however. The new handle and lock havw a brass wash over it. The other door handles and locks in the building are silver. The lock cannot be put in the door. The carpenter has left because he doesn’t have the correct lock to install. Now the door to my office has no lock or handle. Anyone can enter at his or her leisure. Perhaps, next week the new lock will arrive. Until then, I have access to my office.

2.
The seven a.m. bus from Accra to Cape Coast was cancelled. The noon bus left the station promptly at noon. The driver drove one block from the Intercity Depot and then pulled along the edge of the road. It appeared his clutch didn’t work. The bus broke down in front of a Ford dealership. A massive, silver SUV was parked in the display window. As the driver walked back to the terminal to find a working bus, passengers stood in the hot sun and gazed through the window at the SUV.

Two young Americans carrying a copy of GQ with the banner “Dressed to Kill” on the cover took photos of each other with their iPhone on the sidewalk in front of the Ford dealership.

While we were waiting for the new bus, a parade for International Peace marched down the avenue with floats and a marching band. Everyone wore white t-shirts with “Support International Peace” emblazoned across the front.

An hour later we boarded the new bus and were off.

3.
I have been assigned two classes to teach: Aspects in Post-Colonial Literature and African American 20th Century Literature Themes. Since I have come to teach the Harlem Renaissance, I am going to plan accordingly.

I received the timetable for classes the day after my first class Aspects of Post-Colonial Literature met. This is okay because it turns out that I am co-teaching that class. I have not met my colleague even though his office is next to mine. I am hopeful that we will meet before the class meets again next week. I have no idea what aspect of post-colonial literature he is focusing on.

4.
While riding in a taxi, I overheard someone on the radio state: “I just associate Christians with free stuff. They just give you stuff like lollipops.”

5.
As I walk around Cape Coast and Accra, I have noticed four locations of the God Is Great Furniture Store. I don’t know if it is a chain or just a popular name for the furniture business. Other names of businesses: Precious Choice Ventures (an automobile parts business), Come Closer Ventures (a clothing boutique), Man of Piece Market (general merchandise), Magic Joy Beach Resort, and God Will Come Internet Café.

In America where ownership is celebrated, businesses are often named after someone, like MacDonald’s. The notion of possession is emphasized. In Ghana it seems that businesses are named for attraction of customers or an expression of belief. If a message from God were every to arrive, I truly believe the most likely place for it to be delivered would be the God Will Come Internet Café.

6.
On Tuesday, the god of the ocean rests so the fishermen stay home. On Wednesday, the god of the forest rests. No one hunts or cuts down trees in the forest. On Friday the god of farming rests, and farmers don’t go into the fields.