New Book About Ghana

"My First Coup D'Etat" by John Dramani Mahama

"Sensitive, honest autobiographical essays… A wonderfully intimate look at the convulsive changes, and deep scarring, in post-colonial Africa."—Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus liked this book and this review magazine hardly ever gives a rave review. "My First Coup d'Etat" by John Dramani Mahama, the current Vice President of Ghana, tells of his coming of age while the new democracy of Ghana is also coming of age. If you want to know more about the first African country to gain it's independence you couldn't find a better book to read. 

Listen to an interview on Morning Edition - African Politics, And Afros, In 'My First Coup D'Etat'.

Facebook page

-vc

Ghanaian Women

Women in Ghana work hard. They get up early in the morning to start the fire. They cook on coal pots and grind their sauces and vegetables by hand. Most of the small businesses are run by women. My friend Perpetua had a bakery. She baked bread for 4 traders in town and two schools. She also ran a small provision store which is like a convenience store. She cooked three meals a day. Washed her clothes by hand in two large metal basins. When I was first at Sandema she had a small girl, Madua, who did the cooking, the wash and she sometimes watched the store but Madua left.

It's often the woman's income that clothes the children and sends them to school. They  In "Half the Sky Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn say that men tend to spend their money to show off. They might throw a large party, or lavish robes but women usually reinvest their money in their families, businesses or communities. The book tells stories of women in Africa and Asia who have received aid and the good work they did with that help. Many of the stories in the book resonated with what I saw in Ghana. 

Last Days of Dogtown

3 1/2 Stars (out of 5)

 

If you can't travel to Gloucester, MA read The Last Days of Dogtown: A Novel by Anita Diamant.  Diamant   goes back to the 1800s and populates the now deserted Dogtown with a patchwork of  outsiders. As usual  Diamant brings the period to life with her details of daily life. 


-vc

© WebRing Inc. Travel Web << Prev | Hub | Sites | Join | Random | Next >>

Barefoot Travel

Powered By Ringsurf

World Traveler

Powered By Ringsurf

5 Stars (out of 5)

Mike Dreyfuss, Sonya Dugal and Julie Nguyen were Peace Corps volunteers in Ghana. They came in 2009. Sonya was one of my trainees. If you want to see the REAL Ghana then Peace Corps volunteers will show it to you. They know the best places to get local food and not get sick. They have traveled all over Ghana and know how to navigate the transportation system from goat carts to air conditioned buses. Pick up  The Ghana (Other Places Travel Guide) if you are planning a trip to Ghana.

-vc

© WebRing Inc. Travel Web << Prev | Hub | Sites | Join | Random | Next >>

Barefoot Travel

Powered By Ringsurf

World Traveler

Powered By Ringsurf

All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes

Travel back to when Ghana gained it independence. Ghana was the first African nation to earn its independence after colonization. On 6 March, 1957 Kwame Nkruma became the first president of Ghana.  He then called for the African Diaspora to come home.  Maya Angelou heeded the call. She and her college age son went to Ghana where he attended Legon-The University of Ghana.

It was very interesting to read her reactions to the new African democracy and the reactions of the Ghanaians to Maya Angelou.



-vc

© WebRing Inc. Travel Web << Prev | Hub | Sites | Join | Random | Next >>

Barefoot Travel

Powered By Ringsurf

World Traveler

Powered By Ringsurf