Signs of the Ever-Elusive Ghanaian Harmattan...

...have found expression on cars, with little particles--some might say granules--of white that looks like sand.

For two days now, however, cars are not experiencing these foreign layers of dust on  them; they seem to be back to being exposed to the vagaries of the Ghanaian weather!

Truth be told, I was "loving" my harmattan. I just love the fact that it's like a Ghanaian winter.

Pooh:-(

If you've forgotten what harmattan 2009 looked like, check here: http://accradailyphoto.blogspot.com/search/label/harmattan

"Let Who is Smart, Sort it out!", or a Tale of Where Ghana Needs to Go in Waste Disposal!

Back in Belgium, you would often see many of these waste-disposal trucks on particular days, reminding you to do the so-called "triage", or sorting out. If you are seeing this here, it is because I took the picture right here in Ghana!

It naturally has to be one of those many second-hand vehicles that are imported into the country.

Whatever the case may be, the issue is clear: Ghana would seriously benefit from such a waste-disposal policy. While you are reading more of how Belgium does it here: http://www.belgium.be/en/environment/sorting_and_recycling_household_waste/index.jsp, allow me to explain very briefly what it is. It's about sorting out METALS / PLASTICS / DRINKS,  etc all separately.

Plastics/drink/cartons were often picked up in a turquoise bag on Tuesdays; whereas regular garbage bags (in brown bags) were picked up twice a week. Everything else--like grass from the lawn, etc--had to be taken to a special waste disposal site. which was open to the public almost every day. If you forgot to take your garbage out, you could take it to one of these sites and dump it in appropriate areas.

I believe the title of this entry speaks volumes: "Let Who is Smart, Sort it out!". Wake up, Accra Metropolitan Assembly, and Environmental Protection Agency!






labels: ama. epa, ghana environment; waste disposal

Bright Lights, Big City of Accra

I thought this was an interesting collage of colours. I was trying to capture cars from the review mirror, and ended up catching headlamps instead!

Still, could it be a metaphor for Ghana? Bright future through the prism of our troubled past? or bright future, glowing past?

Perhaps I should leave that for the historians!


labels: accra by night

Belated World Water Day!

In commemoration of World Water Day, here are two pictures reminding us of that blue gold none of us could do without.

The pipes are a reminder of some of the travails many, many Ghanaians go through to have a good supply of water into their homes, but how the privatised management that is Aqua Vitens Rand Limited--a South African/Dutch management company--manages manages to not fix the water problem since they took over Ghana Water Company LImited in 2005.

I'm concerned on this day about the role of private management companies that purport to resolve our water problems--how effective are they in the long run? Is it not better to invest money into state-run systems to develop capacity?



labels: ghana water; aqua vitens rand limited ghana, water privatisation

Anyone for Petrol in (Rural) Accra?

First, let me define "rural Accra".

That is parts of Accra that are still undeveloped (read: no water; no electricity provision established) and probably taken over by Estate companies willing to charge pretty much an arm and a leg for a plot.

Well, would you believe it if I told you that there are parts of Accra where people still buy petrol this way?

If a picture paints... the proverbial, let me not do proverbs, and let it speak for itself!;-D

Have a good one wherever you may be.

Who Said Ghanaians Cannot Complain?

Despite the fairly good-natured attitude of Ghanaians towards life (where those who believe in in something leave it to God, when misfortune strikes), Ghanaians can be as vociferous and articulate as you can imagine.

These two pictures are captured from the DAILY GRAPHIC newspaper of this past Monday and today respectively, and are from the "Letter's Page", which appear on Mondays and Wednesdays.

The first complaint is against one of the telco's in Ghana--TIGO, and the second against ATM provision by a French-Ghanaian bank SG-SSB, where I myself have had a very bad experience with them in November 2007!



labels: ghana banking, ghana complaints, daily graphic

Fighting Crime in Ghana, Here's How!

If there is anything you could say about me this month, it is that I have been quite consistent about my coverage of the Ghana Police on Twitter, and by extension, blog platforms.

Yesterday evening, I witnessed a foiled armed robbery that reminded me of the poster I have captured here.

So, first step to fighting crime: KNOW the phone numbers to the police!



labels: ghana police, ghana crime

Even With the Absence of Ghanaian Streetlights...

...Ghanaians certainly do enjoy their night-life. This was taken in the heart of Accra somewhere a few weeks ago. Despite the absence of well-maintained streetlights, this did not prevent fun-seekers to enjoy themselves and fill their stomachs at the same time.

I guess it's about getting used to the situation?

Not really: despite serious challenges to life in Accra for a large part of the population, Ghanaians are no longer just "getting by" passively; they are complaining about utilities and service providers.

Later this week, I will show more of some of these complaints.

labels: ghana complaints, accra by night

Not Quite a Free Visa to FIFA2010 World Cup!

Despite rather good relations between South Africa and Ghana, it is never going to be so good that they decide to waive visas for us. There are, ofcourse, conditions, and here are the five-fold ones:

Processing for the 90-day visa, which is expected to take five days to complete, starts on April 1 – barely two months away from the world's biggest football festival.

To qualify for a visa,

 

• the fan must possess a valid passport which must not expire by end of the June 11 – July mundial;

 

• have a proof of a return air ticket,

 

• show enough evidence of taking care of oneself for the period of the event or stay,

 

• acquire a ticked voucher from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) or FIFA,

 

• as well as having a proof of a hotel/hostel accommodation.

Ms Lallie advised applicants to show up personally at the High Commission and cautioned them about the activities of potential "charlatans (visa contractors) who could take advantage of the situation to swindle unsuspecting victims."

She dissuaded fans who have the intention of settling in South Africa after the World Cup to disabuse their minds of such plan. "Much as there would be an extremely friendly environment in South Africa, I don't think the authorities are necessarily going to relax or renege on their responsibilities as far as security is concerned," she cautioned.

from: http://news.peacefmonline.com/news/201003/39906.php

What about where you are right now? How difficult--or easy--is it for you to get your ticket to FIFA?

Truth be told, I'm quite happy watching from the comfort of my home (and office, when Ghana starts playing!!)

Giving it up for Ghana Police!

Finally, Ghana Police got their act together this morning, and showed up at a major point on the Spintex Road. Let's keep our fingers crossed for Friday!;-)

All Roads Lead to Tema !

This is what wikipedia says about Tema:

Tema, population 209,000 (2005), is a city on the Atlantic Ocean coast, east of the capital city of Accra, in the region of Greater Accra, in Ghana, West Africa. Originally a small fishing village, it grew after the construction of a large harbour in 1961 and is now is the nation's largest sea port. It is also home to an oil refinery and is an important centre of manufacturing. It is linked to the capital by railway and a highway. Tema is one of Ghana's two deep seaports; Sekondi Takoradi is the other. Tema is the nearest city to the geographical position of 0 degrees latitude and 0 degrees longitude (which lies several hundred miles south in the Bight of Benin).

This is my view: one of the best-designed communities in Accra. In fact, it is the only residential community that remains the best well-planned. It has more than 10 "communities", some of which link up to the famed Spintex Road. It has an indigenous "Tema Development Corporation", clearly making quite a bit from developing Tema to the beautiful, verdant and organised city it has obtained the reputation of being.

This is what fellow ghanablogging member Kajsa Hallberg Adu wrote of her adopted hometown:

Let's start my exposé on Tema with Nkrumah's own words. We go back to February 10th, 1962 and the Official Opening of the Tema Harbor. Kwame Nkrumah walks up to a podium and gives his speech.

"By taking advantage of the river systems of West Africa, it should be possible - again, by concerted action - to connect the hinterland, far outside the boarders of Ghana, with this great port of Tema. Thus, in this harbour of Tema, we see a unifying force and an essential requirement in the progress towards African Unity"

Hence, Tema was just one part of the grandiose plan of Africa rising. Tema should be a harbor not just for Ghana, but for Africa. Still today, Burkina Faso, Mali and other landlocked countries are highly dependent on the Tema harbor. What whould they be today without this sea port?

Nkrumah continued his speech with comparing the existing Takoradi harbor "designed by the colonialists to facilitate the exportation of the wealth of the country" to this new sea port. He said:

"Tema is the sign post of the future. It represents the purposeful beginning of the industrialisation of Ghana. It is the signal for industrial expansion, a challenge to our industry and intelligence and a hope for the future."

 Finally, from one US academic Dr.Renford Reese's page:

"One of our visits was to the bustling cargo port of Tema. Nkrumah built this city in 1960 as a manmade harbor. Today, it is Ghana's industrial center and the most important trading port in the country. As a populated city, Tema is the closest to the crossing of the Prime Meridian and the equator, a special treat for our three geography majors"
from: http://www.csupomona.edu/~rrreese/nonfla/GlobalCPP.html

Have you got the message how important Tema is to Ghana now?

Labels: tema, nkrumah

Happy Independence Day (March 6 1957-March 6 2010)!

I believe the pictures speak for themselves, but let me say it anyway: Ghana obtained independence from Britain exactly 53 years Saturday 6 March, 1957, with the memorable words ushered by great Pan-Africanist and founder of Ghana Dr.Kwame Nkrumah:

"At long last, the battle has ended. Ghana--our beloved country--is free forever!"

There have naturally been reminders of this on television and radio, and for those alien to Ghanaian culture (am unsure how you can be if you've been following this blog for almost 4 years now;-) ) there's a website to find out more:

http://www.ghana.gov.gh/anniversary/
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Where's My (Ghana) Water?

Although there is a lot of bottled water around, there is a lot of "pure" -- or sachet -- water that is sold daily. And usually in one of the trucks, which average speed is just about faster than a snail!!

Look critically enough, and you will see that a lot of them are very old trucks that are imported into the country.

Your guess is as good as mine as to whether they are often the cause of serious and heavy traffic in the mornings!

The Curious Case of Vodafone Ghana

Vodafone Ghana has been making a lot of noise offlate on Ghanaians being able to access the "fastest" internet in Africa.

Yesterday I decided to try it out, and was given a coupon--free trial for 10 minutes, mind you--which I could use for only...ten minutes.

When I pressed the ladies at the shop as to whether I could buy some more credit, she quipped that I had exhausted my free trial, and that she would recommend I go to the shop in Cantonments, which is some twenty minutes drive from Accra Mall!

When I further pressed her, she seemed unrepentant in the total and utter confusion she had just laid on me: why go to another Vodafone shop for the internet, when this one could simply sell you an hour's worth after the free trial??

How is this done elsewhere? This is honestly the first I've heard done anywhere!!

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