Loosely or Loyally Connected: Where in the World Do We Belong?
GHANA
Accra itself has that sprawling city vibe. The oft photographed patriotic landmarks of Independence Square, Black Star Gate and Kwame Nkrumah Park were facelifted for seasonal celebrations.
While I couldn’t partake in many of these festivities (or the late-night music parties outside my hotel), a poster outlining all that the country organized and offered as a homecoming for the holidays seemed like an impressive economic, educational and entertaining gesture for the diaspora.
What is it that keeps us loosely or loyally connected to our land, language and the associated ladies, lads and legends?
Whether we live locally or loop back ‘home’ intermittently, the nuances and realities of being part of a culture, country, continent or community are as far reaching as they are fascinating. I wondered about my pad, and the place I call Home. I think of what catalyzes belonging: the open-hearted spirited beings, the moments that make memories and the aromas that instantaneously transport, the sites, sounds and scenes that make me feel like I’m truly in my skin - where I’m comfy and glowing. Sometimes, it’s these lingering links that layer our identity, lure us into labouring for a cause, and sometimes (if we’re lucky), enlists us to leave a legacy.
In addition to these ruminations, I was most keen to see the local beaches, obviously.
Lambadi and Jamestown were as different as some sibling combos that leave you wondering if they actually share the same roots.
On prime real estate at the city centre not far from each other on the corresponding coastline, the former hosted horseback rides, ATV drives, music and vibes.
Downstream a bit, Jamestown housed illegal shanty towns, dilapidated homes, fish and cattle farms, local burning practices which bellowed black smoke plumes into the sky and debris of dubious origin at your feet. It was unreal. As if I was walking through a remote bygone village trapped by multigenerational poverty, though it seems that locals (and many famous and former boxers) live in pride and fervor there.
The other must-experience was Makola Market. This megacity merchant’s maze made walking safely as important as your bargaining skills.
I felt like I was in a VR video game, squeezing and slithering past it all: fellow shoppers, blind moving trollies and of course, vendors wearing much of their stock.
Food wise, my palate found itself on a playground. I experienced ground nut soup (a spicy peanut stew that lets you know it’s incoming and perhaps even outgoing) along with its partner, the fun sounding fufu (a playdoughy cassava/plantain), kentumere (spinach stew with fish), freshly squeezed mango, tangerine and pineapple ginger juices, local Neapolitan meets banana ice cream and, the fan favourite - old-school popcorn.
Following a session I delivered, I was treated to a homemade white chicken curry with local pistachios and cashews made by a Pakistani chef from Gilgit, living in Accra. Clearly, my tastebuds were getting the memo that diversity was on tap!
Coming full circle on connections made at the start, just before take-off, I met with a German physician who spearheads a local orphanage. Who knew this is where life would take me … away from home but still, finding some ways to be connected and feel a sense of belonging. Now I see, Ghana gives that little bit extra, be it in its food, forays or friends.
May we all have places we call home and where our Home offers us unconditional connection,
Whoa! I’m already in love with Ghana. I stopped long enough to ponder this statement: “ I think of what catalyzes belonging: the open-hearted spirited beings, the moments that make memories and the aromas that instantaneously transport, the sites, sounds and scenes that make me feel like I’m truly in my skin - where I’m comfy and glowing.” So relatable. Thank you Doc!