Leaving Kumasi -Heading north

Hello Everyone,

Our stay in Kumasi, the cultural center of the Ashanti people who have the strongest and best preserved heritage of all Ghanaian groups, is coming to a close. I am thinking back on my visits here, in Accra, in Elmina, in Takoradi and feel very humble to be associating with these very fine, trusting people.

When this dream of bringing computers to Ghana began it was with a lightness that said maybe we can and maybe we can't, but nothing ventured is nothing gained so let's give it a try. That attitude has changed drastically now--it is not a matter of maybe any longer. I look into the trusting, hopeful faces of the Ghanaian people who are desperate for any chance to improve their lot and I know E-quip Africa has no option but to succeed and to do it as quickly as possible! So get ready, Willmar, get ready St. Paul and Minneapolis because we must start a fire in the Minnesotan's we know to develop a worthy program to serve the needs of the good people here.

My stay in Kumasi has been through the Graces of the Kumasi East Rotary Club. What a wonderful group of people, specifically my host, Mr. Cosmas Forson. He has provided my transportation, and wonderful knowledge of how things work in Ghanaian society, especially in the area of education and business. Mr. Forson has accompanied E-quip Africa on each school visit in the area and will will visit 9 schools before leaving tomorrow morning. He has shown me a plan where E-quip, with local Rotary help, will supervise the installation of computers and report to us on the progress of each group. The schools will be held responsible for following a set of steps to 1.) be considered for receiving computers and 2.) for development of their program. With his offer of Rotary help in this supervision, I know there will be good programs here. You see, in Ghana, educated and successful people all tell me that maintaining a program, maintaining equipment, maintaining even the building housing all this is a weakness of Ghanaian society. This is not my Western judgment at work, this is coming from native Ghanaians who have known and understood the system all their lives.

Mr. & Mrs. Forson invited to their 30th wedding anniversary celebration on Sunday. His driver 'picked' me early in the morning to attend a 4 hour Mass at All Saints Catholic Church near central Kumasi. The Archbishop of Kumasi was the presider--according to the Forsons he is the world leader in what is called 'inculturation' in the Catholic Church. It means the inclusion of local customs and ceremonial actions into the Mass. So I was witness to drumming and dancing demonstrations the likes of which I have never seen and certainly never in church! This Mass was also a celebration of the 10 anniversary of the new church building which is shaped much like St. Mary's in Willmar and holds about the same number of people. The Mass was said in the Fante language, but if one is familiar with the parts it is still easy to follow. There were many special presentations, blessings and awards. Also the Sunday School children did a marvelous presentation including dramatic story telling, dancing and singing. The were all dressed in the traditional Kente cloth with gold head bands and were a sight to behold! The last song they sang was a tear jerking "Jesus Loves The Little Children--all the children of the world--red and yellow black and white--all are precious in his sight--Jesus loves the children of the world."

After the Mass the Forsons took me to meet the parish priest, but they knew the Archbishop would be there and so we were invited to have lunch (a light lunch it is called) with the Archbishop! He inquired about my purpose in visiting Ghana and immediately added a school to the list we should visit! I spoke to him about the shortage of priests in the USA. He responded with a description of the shortage of educational facilities in Ghana, not only for priests but for all people... Protestant, Pentecostal, Catholic, Mormon, Moslem peoples. This man will drive a hard bargain when asked if Ghanaian priests can be spared here for work in the USA. A dialogue will begin between him and the Bishop of New Ulm diocese--he is eager an excited to meet Bishop Nienstedt.

Another wonderful Rotarian here in Kumasi is Mrs. Agnes Ofosu-Korahtema. She is the Principal of St. Monica's Training College (a teacher preparation school for girls) in the city of Mampong. It was her school van that brought us around to several schools and back home again. It was in her home where we ate a delicious Ghanaian meal of fish stew and fufu. It was her speeches that inspired all of us as she told young Ghanaian girls the importance of staying in school and going on to college. I wanted to book her for a speaking tour back home, but she is so busy in Ghana, I don't know when that would be possible. She and Cosmas are pictured above as we visited one of schools in the Kumasi area.

I am staying at the Sanbra Hotel where the Kumasi East Rotary Club meets. It is a great place where obroni Doug is called by his first name by waiters, laundry people, cleaning staff--always greeted with smiles. The food is wonderful here and one may order obibini food (local dishes) or obroni food (food for the white man). The best is a wood fired Margarita (vegetarian & cheese) pizza--it is fabulous. Also very nice Chinese cuisine here.

I have purchased many things: My plan is to use some as gifts--some have also been requested by some of you, but also I hope to raise money for E-quip Africa by selling these items. I have so much stuff, I may have to Fed Ex it home! As Mary can tell you my resistance to purchasing the beautiful hand made African items is nonexistent! Each shirt I see on the street is more beautiful than the previous one. Each carving is better done than the first!

So many people in Ghana do not understand why E-quip Africa has not started a business here--a for profit operation to fund the NGO (nonprofit). They are convinced any obroni operation here would be successful, especially in the area of education with ties to an educational institution in America so students would have the opportunity to come to the USA for at least one year of studies. They say there would be long lines to sign up.

I must go before we lose electricity or the internet. My greetings and best wishes to all and a huge thank you to all who have helped and worked so hard back in Minnesota. I think of all of you often and hope some day you will be able to see what I am describing for your very own eyes.

Akwaaba!

Doug



Doug Wilkowske
E-quip Africa