Obruni, where are you going?

Akwaaba from Accra! I’ve been here almost two weeks and am getting settled in to my life for the next six months. Ghana has changed a lot since I was last here (4 years ago) but it is still full of warm and welcoming people. The currency has changed and this has proved to be a challenge for most people, including me. Everyone still goes by the old currency which was 10,000 cedis (¢) to the Canadian dollar but now it is 1¢ to the Canadian dollar. It is a pretty easy conversion but I am still figuring out how much everything costs in the new currency and often end up paying the “obruni” (foreigner) price for stuff. My bargaining skills are slowly coming back to me and I have mastered the Ghanaian reaction to overpricing ( it involves the hand clap and an outraged ABA!).

My organization, Credit Union Association of Ghana (CUA), is well established in Ghana and is doing great work with credit unions around the country. Everyone in my office has been so great at getting me oriented and slowly teaching me Twi, the most common language around the southern regions of Ghana. When you hear a bunch of people laughing it’s usually coming from my office where I am mispronouncing the words.

Accra has become a very expensive city. Everything costs much more then the last time I was here (comparable to Canadian prices in many incidents) and I think my little intern stipend might be stretched pretty thin, especially considering that there is a beach backpackers inn 45 minutes from Accra that seems like the most perfect place to escape to.

I can’t say I understand everything about Ghanaian culture but there has been one thing that I just can’t seem to understand – maybe you can help solve the mystery. For many Ghanaians, having enough food to feed your family is a daily struggle. However, I see chickens and goats roaming the streets without their owners. If I had one goat and one chicken I would be sure to keep those two close by. What if they lose their way or heaven forbid there is a goat napping? One minute it’s there, the next it’s gone. Are those animals similar to cats in that they will return because you will feed them? I see them eating on the street all the time and I am pretty sure they don’t have a problem finding food (they’ll eat anything). Everyday I struggle with this one and when I ask about it most Ghanaians giggle and think to themselves: “Oh Obruni….you’re so silly”. Has anyone seen this in other countries? I am pretty sure its more common then we think.

I am starting to make a list of funny signs I see but its hard to remember all of them. My favorite so far is “Sober Man Drinking Spot”. Says it all, doesn’t it!

On that note I will sign off. I’ll leave you with my address and phone number incase any of you feel inclined to call or write. I am a great pen pal and letters from Ghana can be so exciting so please send me your addresses and I will gladly start writing letters.

Colleen Berrigan
CUA Ghana Ltd.
P.O. Box 12148
Accra North,
Ghana
WEST AFRICA
027-165-9682

Colleen