On a journey
As the pre-christmas time was reserved for planning and performing of shooting dates for my Documentation about the energy system in Ghana and Aim´s Solar Panel Project, where I took interviews with different people beeing relevant for the Topic, the time from Christmas into the new year was there for travelling. Besides the workshop and other projects for Aim, I also attach importance to develop new places in Ghana. That´s why I like to partake you on my little journeys in the end of december and beginning of january.
The Bike-Trip: Cape Coast – Komenda – Takoradi – Busua
A friend from Cape Coast and me started this Bike-Trip on the 25th of december. With rented bikes we went on from Cape Coast to Komenda for the first day. Usually the landscape almost flys by as sitting in the Tro-Tro. But on the Bike, I noticed much more details and felt the environment way more intensivly. After one night in Komenda, we went on to Takoradi. For most part besides the big Highway. But thanks to christmas Time the streets were quite empty and the road besides the Highway was in a good condition, so we reached Takoradi fast and savely. On this day, the 26th, the city was very crowded. Because of the annual carnival many people went around with instruments and faced in colourful costumes. Then, In the late evening, some of the great artists Ghanas performed on a big stage in the middle of the city. Our last stage to Busua brought us deeper into the green areas of this country and was, with it´s hilly nature and gravely road, likely designed for our Mountainbikes. The already well known Busua itself, gave us time for a mix of relaxing and sporty activities, like surfing, football and volleyball.
Accra:
Together with Kofi, former Music Mentor Aims and good friend, i went on to Accra for celebrating new years eve. My first Impressions remembered me on a bustling anthill. Especially Kaneshies Market and Tro-Tro station, central hub for travellers from and to the western parts of Ghana, seemed very confusing in a first view. But, like everywhere in Ghana, there is a system behind the supposed chaos. With help from locals, I get used to the the public transports very fast, which consists, like everywhere, of Tro-Tros and shared-taxis. As for other people, this chaotic sorrounding means purely stress, I felt very comfortable in this environment. The tourist district of Osu, with its big Shooping and Party Mile the Oxford-Street, didn´t impress me, quite differerent to the art center Accras, which lies in the midst of the governmental and economic district. The artist quarter is located next to the John Evans Atta Miles High Street, named after a former ghanaian president, who died in his first term in 2009. The three-lane road is normaly bordered by government buildings, business premises and the national landmark, the independence arch. The art center falls completly out the line. Aside the big road I dived into the world of artists, who sell clothes and drums on the bazar and exhibit paintings in galleries. I Also got into the enjoyment to drink a real coffee, made out of coffeebeans (in Ghana a real rarity).
Kumasi:
Suni and me followed the invitation of a friend, to visit him in the town where hew grew up. With it`s over two million inhabitants, it is the second largest city of Ghana and capital of the Ashanti-Region. This part of the country is named after the Ashante, one of the most important and influental people in western Africa. Thanks to the rich content of gold in their land, very early, this folk constituted their power in the region. The many cultural establishments and museums shows the proudness by the people for their history. And still their is an Ashante King ruling, with a lot of political power on his side. My first impression was: Green is everywhere. The city is full of little and big green areas. But also typical chaotic sceneries takes place, with Tro-Tros and shared-taxis in the midst of stalls for food, clothes and decorations. The big market of Kumasi overtakes everything i saw so far in Ghana. On an area like 11 footballfields, seller with the most diverse goods operating on little and big stalls. By this size it´s Logically not only daily needs beeing selled. Skin of Snakes and eagle wings, potency drugs – chemical and natural -, like as dried lizards are offered to sell. By many of this things, it´s said they have spiritual healings. As we asked ourselve, what could be in the small brown bottles next to the dried lizards, we were getting the profane answer that it is honey. But also honey, they said, have healing power. So we buyed a little bottle to eat it later delightfully with a piece of bread.
After this eventful journeys in other regions of the country, Komenda called us back for workshop and the realization of my filmproject.
