Revolution Tro-Tro

As I lowered myself down onto the half eroded ‘seat’ I felt an air of defiance  masking over the countenance of my chicken wielding , fish mongering, Circle bound via bush road tro tro companions.  Loaded to the brim with Ghana’s working masses the ‘bus’; which once upon a time may have passed for a [...]

It Is A Mystery Our History

It is a mystery our history A furtive gravestone bathed in anonymity, A secrecy accepted by guilt intrinsic to the make-up of our foundation. Where are the empires and writings of antiquity? Now we stand, exposed. Parasites, subsiding on aid. Ever afraid to ask for more than just grain. It is a mystery our history [...]

African Chat Paints Ghana!

Have you ever been flashed before?  And I’m not talking about someone running past your pub window and showing you a naughty bit of flesh…I’m talking about an African flash.  The other day I was springing down Accra’s trendy Oxford Street ducking and diving between the advances of the street hawkers and the stampede of [...]

Meeting Africa’s First Ladies

It was like an episode of the Bold and the Beautiful…I am referring to the recent BBC interviews conducted with five of Africa’s infamous first ladies: Sierra Leone’s Sia Koroma, Namibia’s Penehupifo Pohamba, , Zambia’s Thandiwe Banda, Uganda’s Janet Museveni and Ghana’s very own Ernestina Mills.  One by one they recalled the whimsical tales of [...]

The Economics of Ghanaian Football – Coincidence or Stupidity?

The basic economic dilemma facing all nations is that of the scarcity of resources.  In Ghana’s case the scarcest of resources is that of the limited availability of “Hard Cash”.  So when Ghana was fortunate enough to be gifted with $14million from FIFA, as reward for the spectacular efforts of our champion Black Star football [...]

A Time 4 Happiness

Is there a time for happiness?  Is happiness something that needs to be earned?  Or is it a gift dispatched from the heavens, reserved solely for the deserving? Is happiness always the light at the end of the tunnel?  And if so how long is the tunnel?  What happens if my path is already lit [...]

Ghanarama…No theme Park can Compare!

I am constantly being asked the question…”So what is there to do in Ghana??” My mind is then set into action trawling through memories from the past year, those of; Paddling my hand carved wooden canoe, through crocodile infested marshlands on my way to the strikingly isolated Nzulezu village on stilts. Bushwhacking Kakum’s thick West African [...]

Dear Mr Fifa President,

Thank you for bringing the world cup to Africa and being such a reverent promoter of African football… Thank you for brightening our dark corner with the shimmering gold trophy, that once upon a time was more than likely scavenged from the depths of our continent…Thank you for allowing us to blow our vuvuzelas acknowledging [...]

Bye Bye Uruguay…You Just Got Van Hammered!!!

 Today Ghana welcomed back her BlackStars with open arms by throwing a parade and concert at Independence square, where each valiant warrior was bathed with well wishes and cheers to cushion the blow and wash away any loitering traumas from our showdown with Uruguay.  Ofcourse we here in Ghana knew that Uruguay were not [...]

Black Stars….The Pride & Pain – World Cup Day 22

Well where do I begin?  Ghana Land of Freedom and Justice yesterday evening was a thriving cistern of activity…with roads blocked off….big screens setup…live bands playing….flags waving…vuvuzelas blowing…I once again adorned myself in red, gold and green…and like the rest of my fellow countrymen, prepared for the battle that was to be had.  Forlan, Suarez [...]

Last Kick of the Game – World Cup Day 18 & 19

Who would’ve thought that in a game which spans sometimes even in excess of 90 minutes that the last kick of the game could be so important. Slovakia and Paraguay are two nations who know only too well the significance of this. In the final few matches in the round of 16 the Slovak’s faced [...]

Three Lions on a Plane – World Cup Day 17

“Capello can’t stop another World Cup Flop”  “Awful England” can offer “no defence” “Ref…U should’ve gone to Specsavers!” The debate for video technology to be introduced to the game of football has once again been ignited, after a pitiful decision by the referee denied England an equalising goal, as they trailed 2-1 behind Germany.  Although [...]

Pride & Joy…Yes We Can! Yes We Did! Ghana Black Stars – World Cup Day 16

The Power…the Finesse…The  Dedication…The Teamwork….The Skills…The Goals….And The Glory!! “1 Black Star of Africa defeats the 50 Stars of America!” The road to Rustenburg has not been plain sailing for the Black Stars; a win against Serbia, a draw against the Socceroos, and a loss to Ze Germans, all led to a head to head [...]

Soweto Township: World Cup – Day 15

There was a tramp…a man so poor that he had no shoes on his feet…he had little food in his belly….he had only one ragged shirt to his name….he felt so  deprived that one day he decided that his life was no longer worth living…. In the distance he saw thick vines hanging from a [...]

We Are In You Are Out! – World Cup Day 13 & 14

Slovakia’s Earth Shattering Defeat over Italy! USA’s Injury Time Sensation! France’s…Je ne sais quoi? Ghana Champions of the African Game! In a tournament which has failed to alight the footballing prowess of the African Nations.  Ghana has once again taken the aspirations of the whole continent on her shoulders, with our boys being the only [...]

A Cape to Remember! – World Cup Day 12

Cape Town….Absolutely incredible….From the moment one steps out of the airport and presented is with the majestic backdrop of Table Mountain to first sight of the astonishing Victoria and Albert waterfront.  This city is a culmination of my three favourite places….It has the vibrancy of Rio, the infrastructure and skyline of New York, and the [...]

Restoring Order: World Cup Day 10 & 11

 Today after an eventful morning in which my tickets to the Spain v Honduras match where pickpocketed!…. I decided to do the next best thing to watching the match in the stadium….Instead I paid a visit Nelson Mandela’s square in the heart of Sandton one of the most affluent areas of the city, which not [...]

David & Goliath: World Cup – Day 8

Is there such a thing as EASY in this world cup?  The bookies must be cleaning up all over town as never before has it proved so difficult to differentiate between the David’s and the Goliaths in the footballing world.  Day 8 of this 2010 world cup was jam packed full of action and upsets.  [...]

There is no Future without Sound: World Cup – Day 7

Following the earlier demise of the Nigerian team from grace, the imminent exit of the Super Eagles was yet another dagger to the heart of African aspirations in this world cup. But what better way is there to ease the pains of life and football than engaging in a little bit of music therapy; which [...]

Africa – Expect the Unexpected: World Cup – Day 6

When high-school students in Soweto started protesting for better education on 16 June 1976, police responded with teargas and live bullets. They surprised their oppressors, the Apartheid government by demonstrating against legislation that insisted that; “Natives [blacks] must be taught from an early age that equality with Europeans [whites] is not for them. Black people [...]

Clap for Korea! World Cup – Day 5

Today I was made aware that it is not only the English that hold 1966 as a year dear to their hearts.  For Korea DPR their most glorified moment in international footballing history also came about during the 1966 world cup, in which they audaciously knocked out European heavy-weights Italy to reach the quarterfinals!  However [...]

The Audacity of Hope: World Cup – Day 4

Obama hoped to be president of the United States of America… Nelson Mandela hoped for the ending of apartheid… Black Stars hope to win the World Cup…. South Africa hopes to make the most of this world cup utilising the generated revenues to bridge the huge income inequality that currently is scaring the reputation of [...]

Africa Unite! World Cup 2010 – Day 3

“Feel it….Ghana is Here!” This placard was brandished high over the sea of red gold green which flowed into Pretoria this most glorious of afternoons. Kwame Nkrumah the advocate of Pan-Africanism delivered the imperative message more than 50 years ago that Africa should Unite to promote the advancement of its people … A message that [...]

1966 the Year to Remember! World Cup – Day 2

When you hear the year 1966, what pops to mind?  I think back to my history classes at school in an attempt to dredge up all the dates that were taught to me; from Tudor times, to the First and Second World Wars, to the election of Britain’s first female Prime Minister, to the Iraq [...]

Bafana Bafana! World Cup 2010 – Day 1

After a fantabulous display by Alicia Keys and other such artists at last night’s World Cup celebration concert, this morning i was woken up by the hurried talk and despondent tone of my hosts.  It was subsequently relayed to me the information of the tragic death of Nelson Mandela’s great granddaughter.  Firstly I would like [...]

Vuvuzela Time! World Cup2010 – The Day Before Kick Off

The world cup is a platform notorious for dragging faithful patriots out from their burrows….So  Yesterday (9th June 2010)…I joined the  multitudes of people who were attempting to catch their much coveted flight to South Africa.  The purpose of such mass migration is the calling to cheer on nation heroes; the Mighty Black Stars, on [...]

1 Cup 1 Goal! South Africa 2010

   Osei Ghana! I hear you cry. With just eleven days to go before Ghana’s Black Stars are set to kick off their world cup 2010 campaign, the excitement and anticipation of this African Affair is contagiously ravaging the hearts and souls of Ghanaian’s around the world. Everyone is rushing to buy the latest Black [...]

Virgins in Ghana

“My mother was determined to make us independent. When I was four years old, she stopped the car a few miles from our house and made me find my own way home across the fields. I got hopelessly lost.” Richard Branson Richard Branson is a man with many titles.  Herald as Britain’s most acclaimed entrepreneur, [...]

New GHC2 to Change it All!

How many times have you negotiated a price, sat in the taxi, reached your destination, pulled out your five Ghana cedis to pay only to be abused by the taxi driver:  “Ah Madam….Why?…You think I am Bank of Ghana….Who told you to bring your five cedis for this small small journey…eh…I don’t have Change ohh!” [...]

Itchy Feet

Cultural Exchange between an Imported Ghanaian, American Student, and Japanese Peace Corp in Accra   The most irritating thing in the world: to have an itch that no matter how hard you scratch is never satisfied.  Those of you out there with itchy feet (the urge to always be on the move and discover new places) I [...]