Showcasing the Chair Centre on the Spintex Road

Okay, so you get to this place, and you see that they sell nothing less than chairs....


Now, why would you then have to have a humongous billboard stating the obvious, that obviously questions the motives of those who put it up...as having more money than sense? or all in the name of visibility?

The Irony of it All...(Ghanaian "Beauty")

There's a perpetuating and permanent irony buried deep in the Ghanaian landscape--and that is of billboards of beautiful edifices and whatnot advertising even more beautiful places, with the billboards located, or placed, in less-than-salubrious places.

This one is no exception.

While you mull on this, let me take the opportunity to wish you a great weekend.

See you next week!

If You Ever Doubted You were Watching Accra...

...well, I guess, now you don't!;) I have to confess that I have been excessively attached to taking pictures of the Accra Mall, which has become a de rigeur kind of place to take and visit.

Let's just say I ain't refraining any time soon!

Seriously, it's a place, where changes are most visible quickly, and the psychedelic nature of it all makes for a great place to snap pics of.

I like this picture for the way in which it captures the signboard indicating Accra, Tema, and Legon and juxtaposes it against the front of the Accra Mall.

It was not deliberate to omit mentioning Achimota. It is important to add that both Legon and Achimota are lexicons of academic excellence, with the former being the site where the University of Ghana is located, and the latter a seriously awe-inspiring name that is also a by-word for excellence as far as schooling is concerned. Ghana's first (and late) president Osagyefo Dr.Kwame Nkrumah and former President (1992-1996) Jerry John Rawlings are alumnae.

More on Achimota on another date, but suffice-to-say that it is a place where the so-called crème de la crème mix and mingle with a view to becoming the "best" in society. It is, ofcourse, only one of many schools in Accra and the country, but is certainly the most well-known.

Working Lunch: Jollof and Fish Stew at Accra Mall

Before I begin, let me start by wishing you all a belated Happy Easter. Work pressures--as exemplified here have kept me away from the habitual posting. Still...I hope your break was as good and as relaxing as mine;-)

The pressure is back up at work, but I'd rather that than no work at all!

On more relevant matters to this blog, Accra Mall is a great place to do a lot of things--including eat. Here, I have phone-captured a shot of the food that I ate with work colleagues last Thursday. The place is Maquis Tante Marie, a place I have posted about before. This outlet in Accra Mall has a very convivial atmosphere, and I whole-heartedly recommend it!

The food in question in Jollof rice--a quintessential Ghanaian dish, where oil and stew is cooked with rice--not mixed!. The fish is another Ghanaian favourite (to the right): a good piece of Tilapia fish.

Bon appetit!

Accountability, ECOBANK-Style?

If there was ever in interesting way to uncover the transparency of a bank, I would say, it could be revealed through its suggestion box--like this one here.

Either the bank is too efficient to warrant comments and suggestions, or, customers are too apathetic to make comments and suggestions. Or simply, it could be that as soon as they come up with these, the box is emptied?

Or, finally, that everyone is so intimidated by the fact that the suggestion box is near management's office that they don't bother!

Still, food for thought as you stroll into the bank to get some cash...

Worktime for Ghana Telecom

I caught this picture of Ghana Telecom, the nation's premier telecomms provider, doing regular services in the East Legon area, where I work.

Seeing is as great as believing, meaning that even when they screw up on providing ADSL services on their broadband4u service, one is tempted to forgive them--for the subliminal message given here is that we do our repairs, so bear with us!


Have yourself a stress-free weeekend!

Ghana Passport...here!

This is an appropriate picture for an appropriate mood--my passport is ready! After, erm, three months of waiting. It went for renewal, and I am no longer identity-less. There is talk that Ghana will be going biometric insofar as these documents are concerned. How quickly and how soon is moot!

A report from Ghana Online maintains:

Government will introduce a new Ghanaian passport next year in line with a directive of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, Vice President Aliu Mahama announced in London on Sunday.
He said the processing of passports had suffered security problem over the years, hence the need for a new one.

Vice President Mahama dropped this hint at a reception organised by the Ghana High Commission for him as part of his two-day official visit to the United Kingdom.

To back Alhaji Mahama’s announcement, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Co-operation and NEPAD, Dr. Charles Brempong-Yeboah disclosed that the 2007/2008 budget had made provisions for the new passport.

He observed that his ministry had put in place the necessary mechanisms to check the fraudulent acquisition of Ghanaian passports by nationals and non-nationals.

The measures include the adoption of a biometric passport, which has peculiar features such as fingerprints and other personal features to make the country's passport distinct.(...)

Just so you're wondering how old the news is, you can see it here: as 19 Feb, 2008.

My Favourite Taxi Rank (Accra Mall)

I like to walk, and from work, I often do so for around 15 minutes. Thanks to a colleague who showed me a new shortcut, I can get directly to Accra Mall now. This taxi rank is two minutes walk across the road from the mall.

I like it for the taxi-drivers--which cars are both salubrious and otherwise--shouting "motorway![reference to Tema motorway]"; "junction-junction-junction!"; "communities 18, 19"; "Fridays! Fridays!". All these routes ultimately lead to Tema. Almost every destination accrues a rate of GHC1.00, or roughly $US1.00.

I always take the "junction-junction-junction!" one (or simply junction!) as it takes me to after Papaye on the Spintex Road and to GOIL fillimg station, where I stop to walk on home.

Thanks for joining me!;-) Thanks for allowing me to indulge your patience!

Happy Independence Day, Ghana (for 6 March)

What can I say? Slowly getting back into the rhythm of blogging.

Ghana turns 51 tomorrow, 6 March, and as such, it is declared a statutory national holiday. People get back to work on Friday.

Happy Birthday!

The Unbearable Lightness of Blogging

Oh the tomes! The tomes I have written in my head, and in my heart. Not to forget on paper, as well!;-)

 

Regrettably, the proverbial refrain of work has hit -- truly, madly, and deeply. And rather intensely.

 

As such, blogging has been light, and promises to be for the next w eek or so. Please bear with me.

 

I am still around!

 

Enjoy the weekend,

 

Keep safe. Keep cool.

Yeah, US President George Bush Was in Town!

Ghanaians were not particularly enthused by his visit as it mostly disrupted their traffic in parts of the city for hours!


I can tell you, there was no shock--just maybe a wee bit of awe from some Ghanaians;-)

Welcome to Burma Camp...

...or Ghana's Army Barracks.

If you ever wondered whether the army had it good, when you visit this more-than-big city within a city, where there are houses, apartments; shops and whatnot, you would certainly come out hoping the army might not be a bad place to start a career!

Here's some history from one source:

In Ghana, the main Army base in Accra is now called Burma Camp, commemorating the WWll Burma Campaign in which West African forces (including Nigerians) served. It used to be known as Giffard Camp, named after General Sir George Giffard who was GOC-in-Chief, West Africa in 1940. He later commanded the 11th Army Group under Mountbatten in Burma from November 1943-44. The name was changed when Ghana became independent. Within Burma camp, there are Barracks - such as the Arakan Barracks, named after the Arakan campaign in Burma. (Interestingly, the Zambia National Defense Headquarters in Lusaka is located in an Army Base that is also called 'Arakan Barracks' - and Nigeria has an Arakan Barracks as well.)

On the other hand, in Ghana, Tamale and Tema Barracks are geographically named. There are also other Barracks in Ghana
from:

Have a good weekend!

Happy Valentines Day, Happy Chocolate Day!

This alluring picture of the lady in red biting on chocolate gives the impression that, despite the headline ("Valentine on Fire"), Valentine's all the rage here in Ghana. The title is ILLUSORY. The article maintains that it's dying a slow death. You wouldn't think so from this seductive picture!

Still, this year--today--is the second National Chocolate Day. Last year would be the first year when Valentine's Day would be synonymous with Chocolate Day.

The picture of the chocolate wrapper you see is but one of about five different types of Ghanaian chocolate.

South Africa's report of Chocolate Day: http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=nw20080214143136992C817659.

Enjoy the day! (or what's left of it!)

Ghanaians (Certainly) Love Their Ideal Milk!

Enough said!;-)

If you Ever Doubted You're Watching Accra...

...now, hopefully, your doubts have been well and truly defenestrated!

Taken a few months ago near Accra Mall.

Egypt are Football Champions at CAN2008!!

Here is a digital camera capture of the President of Ghana John Kufuor awarding a member of the Egyptian team. Note the inscription on the back!

It speaks volumes!

Water, Water Everywhere!!

Well, serious water needed to douse the flames of our dying passion for the ongoing CAN:-(

We lost to Cameroun 1-0.

The host nation's scalp has been taken by Cameroon--yet again!

Like I wrote on my other blog today, Football is the beautiful game in which talk is very cheap!

Bon weekend!;-)

Ghana Football's Black Stars Player Junior Agogo...

Widely tipped to score a goal tonight, this is the man who scored Ghana's second goal in the semi-final qualification which has seen us meet Cameroon's Indomitable Lions in the ongoing Cup of African Nations 2008 here in Ghana. The finals are on Sunday.

You will forgive me if we are all speaking football. The excitement is too intense. Half of the office have left for the stadium already. Some of us will be watching in the safety of the house, when the game begins at 17h00 GMT. It's currently 16h16 GMT. An early exit from the office?

You can count on it!!

Did I have to Remind Anyone Here that Ghana is hosting Cup of African Nations?;-)

No need now--CAN2008 is going into the qualification of the finals tomorrow at 17h00 GMT. Ghana plays Cameroun, whilst defenders of the title Egypt play Cote d'ivoire, home of Chelsea player Didier Drogba

Ghanaians can only waity with baited breath to see--whilst believing, praying and hoping--that Ghana will go through to the fianls on Sunday 10 February!

Waiting to Pay Electricity

This is a bit of a long queue -- isn't it?;-)