First full day in Tamale Jan 8, 2019

Blogpost for Tuesday Jan. 8th 

It’s morning in Tamale 

We woke up in Tamale at 7am eager to start our day. Apparently it was 90 degrees the whole day but fret not, there was a light breeze. We all piled into the bus and Prof Iddrisu took us to our future regular spot for breakfast. We enjoyed an uncanny combination of a Ghanaian version of french toast, egg white omelettes, and some delicious cow livers. We then took the bus to meet Abdulai’s lovely mother who welcomed us with a smile and a firm handshake. 

It was a brief stay as we had to move on and meet the  Regent of Dakpema.  The 2018 interim met the father of the Regent but the chief died shortly afterwards. His son is now the Regent and holding the skin in the interim for a substantive chief to be installed later.

In the greeting ceremony the Chief presented us with the special Kola Nut. It was both intriguing and meaningful. The nuts taste bitter at first but “it makes water taste sweet.” One of the sub chiefs took a special liking to Fernanda and she almost road with one of them on a motor bike, but decided not to in the end. 

We next visited the chief of Lamashegu, a very important player in Dagbaŋ and he gave us a lecture in slavery in Ghana. Insisting that slaves actually came from Northern Ghana and not from the south, and that the coastal areas only served as ports for the export of slaves, and the castles as holding houses. This was highly illuminating especially for a chief but he assured us that if a chief was not conversant with the experience of his people, then he was not worth that position.

Next, we went to the street market. We saw spices, beads, vast arrays of grain, smock cloth, yams, Gucci slide shoes, a two for one type of soap, many butchered animals, and so many other fine goods. It was crowded but very enjoyable and culturally engaging. We are hoping to go back soon. 

We rushed from the market to squeeze in a quick lunch before our 3:00 lecture. We had intestines of the cow variety— it was surprisingly tangy. 

The lecture was held at the Piga Plaza. Outside was both a trampoline and two tractors. Prof. Seidu Al-Hassan, the Pro- vice chancellor of the university for Development Studies gave an informative lesson about Community Entry and Mobilization in Ghana. He talked of respecting the local culture, how Ghana had progressed politically, and even taught us how to do a proper handshake.

Afterwards, we went back to the hotel and rested before dinner. For dinner we ate a variety of foods including Jollof rice, grilled chicken, guinea fowl, wachea, and shito sauce.

The power just went out. We are slightly concerned but mainly just blind, don’t worry though it will be on by morning. Having a great time here in Ghana! Signing off.