SimoninTamale

The story so far: I arrived, settled in for a few days then basically spent three weeks working. At the weekends I explored Tamale and spent time with the family and their friends, learning about local culture. I enjoyed this immensely, but wanted to get outside of the city (not that it feels much like a city where I’m staying) a couple of times as well. Seidu offered to take me to the village that he grew up in, as he was going home to see his mum, and that seemed like a good place to start. As ever “I’ll pick you up before 8:30” meant he was there about 9:10. I’ve adjusted enough that I didn’t call to check he was coming until about 9:05. The journey out took about an hour, on roads of ... read more

After the mild chaos of my first few days in Ghana, week 2 saw me fall into a fairly steady routine - up at first light, 5.45 (the family are up earlier for their prayers), run or practice Taekwon-do in the small window of time where it is light but not too hot. Breakfast, shower, cycle to work for 8.15. Sit talking to the staff for half an hour or so (it would be very rude here to go straight to your desk and start work - relationships are way more important than this 'efficiency' thing that British workplaces aspire to). I have been working on a manual of financial procedures whilst overseeing their accountant redoing their financial records and producing budget to actual reports for their major project. So it's not all play. Lunch is ... read more