Thursday August 6, 2009: Hustle and Bustle

Just so you all are clear, I did not take the child. Would one of you have raised it? When the guy called I got on the phone with him and told him that there must have been a communication misunderstanding and that I would not be taking the child because under government regulation I could not do that. In a very interesting way, that would fall under trafficking in persons. This would mean me breaking the law in both Ghana and the U.S. Thanks for the gesture but sorry I will not be taking the child. He took it ok I guess because he heard me and we ended the call and I have not gotten a call that some man is here at the embassy with a child. So all things are ok.

For the past couple of days I have been out of the office attending conferences. Many conferences are going on here in Accra. There is one for the study of Africans in the diaspora. A few Cornell folk have come in town for that one. There is a small one on AGOA, which is supporting the larger one in Nairobi this week, and there is one on AIDS and HIV and another on Intellectual Property. I have been trying to get to all of them to really expand my knowledge on what is going on here in Ghana. The AIDS and HIV workshop was amazing. It was chaired by a physician here in Accra working with the Ghana AIDS commission. All I have to say is please be sure you are getting yourself checked regularly.

It has been an interesting week in that it seems like it has been longer than most. I plan to go out tonight to dinner and a movie. Kukua and I will be going to see the new Jack Black movie. See America, you can go to the movies in Africa. A big movie screen. LOL. This should help beat the many misconceptions that people have about Africa.

I also plan to volunteer this weekend at a Children's home. You can actually go in and hold babies that are never held because they have no parents. I love to do service no matter where I go. It really helps you see the community and understand the way of life. This is a lot of what diplomacy is. It is not about simply reading the newspapers, or sitting in an office. It is about getting out there, seeing the issues, talking to people and asking questions. It makes for a better understanding of how we can help Ghana help itself, not just help Ghana. For too long now people have been taught, in developing countries, to hold their hands out and get something, as opposed to working within the system they have to bring relief, support and leadership. The whole "teach a man to fish thing". We have to assist and not direct. Most of my work has been finding out the facts and assisting. Most of my personal work and growth has stemmed from this very same notion.

For example, I want to help the tour guides in the cape coast area improve their English. When taking the tours of the slave castles, it is very hard to understand them. They have heavy accents and it makes the tour less enjoyable. I plan to send them some material that would help them. In addition, I have inspired someone who will be here to set up a toast masters club in the area. That way, they can really work on improving their English. They can take control over working the club, and helping themselves in speaking better; especially since more Americans visit these sites than anyone.

We will see how it goes. The hustle and bustle keeps me going everyday. Each day brings with it something new and exciting. Time is winding down. I have one more full work week in Ghana.

cheers