Surfing, Weddings and some Serious stuff....

Surfing is not something I’d ever associated with Ghana. For me, surfing conjured images of rugged shirtless Australian men with bleached blonde hair, running into the ocean against a backdrop of white sand and ogled by beautiful people in tiny bikinis. Yes, I admit I am a Home and Away fan, which is perhaps my excuse for such a distorted image. I found out, perhaps surprisingly, that Ghana has a pretty big surf culture. The country is blessed with some gorgeous beaches perfect for surfing, although undeniably the surf is more suited to beginners.

This past weekend I had my first ever lesson, and I am now a convert. I loved it, despite the somewhat lacklustre instructor who made it pretty obvious he couldn’t be bothered to waste him time working with someone who’d never even held a surfboard until seconds before the lesson. Even so – according to my Aussi friend and fellow journalist – I did manage to stand up on the board. And even though I don’t remember it she assures me it happened. And that’s good enough for me! I have to admit I didn’t realise how much hard work it was! Watching for the waves, jumping on the board, paddling (hard and fast!), going up on to your knees – all of this before attempting to stand – and in less than a minute. It’s something I definitely want to try again, and soon!

Life in Cape Coast continues to fly by. I am getting used to the relaxed place, and no longer feel guilty spending afternoons by the beach. My editor continues to be a frustration though. I believe he has the best intentions but he has so many commitments which usually means the paper is not exactly a priority. It’s the only newspaper based in the Central Region and has the potential to be a success but poor organisation and management mean right now it’s not being adequately received.

I went to the boy’s sister’s wedding which was lovely. It was very similar to a Western style Christian wedding, with a church service (although in true Ghana style is was nearly 90 minutes long!) singing and traditional vows. I did love that when the bride and groom said their ‘I do’s,’ the whole congregation cheered and clapped and when it was announced the groom could kiss the bride, everyone oooohed and ahhhed.

A friend of mine who I worked with in Accra is now working in Ghana’s Volta region to try and stop the trafficking of children. It is estimated that around 2,000 children are trafficked each year to work in fishing boats, where children as young as 4 are forced to do dangerous work. Children are sold into this captivity by their families. Their excuses are often justified by poverty and although a small few believe that their children will enjoy a better standard of living, care and an education if taken by someone else, this is seldom the case. Sadly, many communities across Ghana find trafficking socially acceptable and even commonly encourage it. There is an ignorance to the rights of the child and the real dangers of trafficking which urgently needs to be addressed.

Please go to the following for more information: 

http://www.facebook.com/#!/ProjectsAbroadCampaignAgainstChildTraffickingGhana

Sorry this post has been a bit scrambled, such is the state of my mind at the moment!