Facelift

 

Screening on the wall at CIKOD in Madina

 Tired, however satisfied, I am waiting to board the plane back home. 

Today was a busy day; I visited the Netherlands Embassy here in Accra and CIKOD (Center of Indigenous Knowledge and Organizational Development) to screen the film. The latter introduced me to Madam Tahiru (she is the lady producing shea butter in the film). Main discussion point today that was raised after both screenings was the need for Ghanaian scientists to further develop their own path in science, instead of trying to recreate a Western way of science. Because there are interesting viewpoints and approaches inherent to their work. Whether shaped by culture, tradition or necessity. 

I think back to this week as a successful one, in which I managed (with a lot of help from Prof. Allotey et al.) to get the film back to Ghana. 

I’m waiting in an Airport which has changed a lot since two years ago I last was here. As did the programs I saw appear on tv. A real facelift. What is beneath it I don’t know. I know I will sleep very tight on my flight back to Amsterdam. 

MULTIVERSE Ghana – time to reveal the trailer!

Finally the time has come to present to you the trailer of MULTIVERSE Ghana!

Spread the word, show the love, big things are about to happen…

Keep track of this blog if you’d like to hear where, when or how you will be able to watch the full documentary in the near future.

Science in Ghana | an overview

 

It is exactly one year ago since I stepped out of the plane on Kotoka airport in Accra, Ghana. At that time it was very dark outside. I could barely see where I had arrived exactly. I was on a quest to track down Ghanaian scientists, hoping that they could share their thoughts on science and creativity. The Ghanaian way of dealing with challenges and problem-solving is one to watch.

A year after date I present you my overview article. You can find it here.

The film will follow.

Have a taste | five

I briefly wrote about the Chief of the Kalbeo community before, but now he is featured in another “Have a taste”.

It was at the end of an intensive shooting day and he wanted to mention a very special trip he had made. However he didn’t want to continue the full story, as he rightfully noted: “You need more time”. Which to me symbolizes what I felt when I visited everyone I visited in Ghana. It would be great to be able to follow people and collect their stories over a period of time a little longer than this.

This Chief speaks English, so no translation needed!

Have a taste | four

While going about my usual editing business I came across footage I shot when I did not feel so good, to say the least. It was the day when I met Mr. Aaron T. Asare and his MPhil student Samuel Acheampong, who, together with colleagues, built capacity in Biotechnology and Molecular Biology within the University of Cape Coast. Currently, to study and improve pineapple and cowpea (black eyed pea) crops.

They were most kind, again to say the least. Aaron made sure, after we finished shooting that day, that I was well fed and had a comfortable multiple hour journey from Cape Coast back to Accra.

This was the day I was introduced to ‘the Ford’ as mode of transportation: Ford vans that contain airconditioning and generally couples or small groups of white backpackers on their way back to the airport after most probably having resided in one of the resorts owned by their nationals in or around Cape Coast.

The Ford did the job perfectly; it was cool and fast. However there were some close calls along the way as the driver managed to put the car back to our lane just in time for us not to have a head on confrontation with cars going where we came from, or some other sort of confrontation with the car we were just passing. I could hear fellow foreigners’ heartbeats skipping. I, myself, was actually too busy meditating my nausea away. Although, I too could have cared less.

Anyway enough about Ghanaian traffic, I would like to introduce to you Mr. Aaron T. Asare, he will do the rest…

Back To Grey

I flew over the Netherlands this morning, but now, London, I’m back!

I got quite used to Ghana, so it was strange to leave.
However, it is not an ending it is just the beginning… 😉

Charlie, I am leaving!

Over the past five weeks I have traveled roughly 3201 km, visiting thirteen cities or villages spread over seven regions in Ghana. This evening I am flying back to London.

Places I have visited in these five weeks.

I have met wonderful people who have great things to tell and show. Most of the places I visited, I never knew existed beforehand. And it is great how openly I have been welcomed everywhere I went and the support I received along the way.

As far as ‘culture shock’ concerned (see my first post) I can assure you I went through it. It is very different here from where I grew up and where I am living right now. Nowhere is perfect. You could do extensive comparisons looking at what things are better here than there or the other way around. But that is beside the point, because it would lead to generalisations that would ignore the underlying complexity and nuances that are crucial to trying to understand what is going on somewhere. Different environments, different cultures, different ways of development. I think it is very good to be inspired by differences.

It was great to meet people who are developing their own country, despite the challenges they’re facing.

Bye Ghana, I hope to see you again soon!

P.S. In Ghana when someone calls you ‘Charlie’ they mean ‘friend’