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Published: June 24th 2006
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University of Ghana
This is located on the main street at the University of Ghana. Akwaaba (Welcome) to my first official travelblog posting! I posted twice while I was in Ghana, just to let everyone know I had arrived safely. Now I will begin adding pictures and telling the real story. If you want to be removed from the email list, just select unsubscribe. You can always check in to see if I've posted.
At the beginning of my trip I wrote in my journal that, "I want to try really hard to be a casual observer and not pass judgement on anything I see and hear. I'll try to see things through the clearest lens without allowing my own perceptions to cause me to judge others." I'll have to admit it was a constant struggle. It's difficult to "un-know" something. I know air-conditioners, drinking tap water (and having running water), 976 TV channels, and bug-free housing. Some people in Ghana know the same things, but unfortunately most do not. The truly unfortunate thing is that some people in America aren’t half as comfortable as I am...and I’m pretty regular. I always knew I was fortunate, but not being able to do the simple things makes you know just how fortunate you are. But...more of
Institute of African Studies
This is where we spent most of our time during lectures. that later!
Because the main purpose of the Cultural Study Tour was to learn more about the college and university structure in Ghana, I suppose I should start there. We spent a lot of our time in southern Ghana at the University of Ghana located in Legon. The University of Ghana has 27,000 students. That number has increased by 17,000 in the last ten years. Last year alone they admitted 8,000 students (that’s far too many). They are decreasing the number of admits to 5,000 this year. It’s a normal college campus with normal college campus issues. We met with the Dean of Students, and honestly he didn’t say anything that surprised me...students are homesick, they wonder what they will do for a career, there are too many clubs and organizations. You know, the basic stuff. So, for all you student affairs people...there’s work for you in Ghana!
We met with seven professors while at the University of Ghana. I won’t talk about the lectures, as that would take forever, but my favorite by far was “The Slave Trade: An African Perspective”. It was a great overview of the Transatlantic slave trade, as well as a history of
Sculpture #1
Sculpture outside the Institute slavery in Africa. I have to say the lecture that was the most fun for the group was “Royal Dances and Drumming”. We were all tired that night, but somehow managed to find enough energy to learn a few dances!
Our next university visit was the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi. This all seems like a blur to me (which is why you should journal every night). However, the highlight of the visit was our attendance at the graduation or “Congregation”. We did not plan to attend, and only stayed a short time. Someone in our group went to graduate school with the Deputy Registrar, so that afforded us the opportunity to sit in on congregation. There were people everywhere, and just like at American universities, it was an incredibly special day for the students and parents.
Our last university stop was the University of Cape Coast. The campus is huge and beautiful. You can literally see the beach from the main administration building. Our time here was very short. We met with someone from the Office of the Registrar. This campus would be a dream for anyone working in judicial affairs. If you’re
Sculpture #2
Sculpture outside the Institute busted with drugs you’re immediately kicked out of school. Not just suspended...expelled! How’s that for an educational sanction. It was interesting to hear that the 94 international students on campus have better accommodations than the Ghanaian students. So much for immersion in the culture.
So, that’s a brief overview of our three university visits. It was just another example to me of how we’re more alike than we’re different. People all have dreams and hopes, and most of us, especially those of us who work at universities, believe an education can help those dreams come true.
Although not that exciting in terms of going out and doing things, the university visits were so important to our time in Ghana. It helped explain so much of the culture. I promise the next set of postings will be filled with more information about people and places. My next post will be about our museum visits and some of the more memorable cultural experiences. I also plan to post about The Journey North, our time at The Mole National Park, The Slave Trade, and The Random Times.
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matey samuel
non-member comment
U are a legend
i commend u 4 ur gud and dedicated wk 4 mother gh. U are ma mentor. God bless u