Childhood Memories

Dear Sanda,

My colleagues and I were just discussing our childhood memories, a walk through memory lane, what our childhood memory was like.

Do you remember games we used to play, games like Amp3, Alikoto, Wans3, Piting3 , Mama ne dada , Ashina Gbuntui, Ko p3 one, Ina da pool, Izanzama , Chemp3 and many more out door games we used to play.

I will be very happy if you can remember these games we used to play back in our days.

Those times were very memorable, once you close from school, you are so eager to put  your bag down and change your clothes to quickly run outside and play with your friends.

During our time as kids, we had the chance to make friends in the neighborhood , something like a fraternity or a sorority , people you know you can count on any time you are in trouble.

Some of us in the Zongo community can attest to the fact that, when you are in the company  of your area (community people) and you misbehave, you know you can count on them because they will defend you.

When we were discussing our childhood memories , a friend said she remembered when they used to play mama ne dada , she said she was always made to play the role of the maid and so she never got to play the mama ne dada role . She said till now she is full of regrets since she didn’t get to play mama ne dada in her childhood days.

Another friend said his memorable childhood game was mama ne dada, he loved the fatherly role he played especially when he got to send his small children to go to school.

Another one said she loved amp3 a lot, she said she remembered when they played the okondo and osr3ti parts and the feel of success when their group won , and how you kill your opponents with your mouth gun.

Another one said people didn’t like playing with her because she was always crying. So they didn’t add her to their games.

My favorite game was amp3 and yaawo Gida(going round the house). The game I was very afraid to play was skipping rope, reason was how fast the rope played when they winding it, I have never learnt it till today, do I have regrets? Maybe.

Sanda , this childhood memories has died in the children of today, these kids are all into computer games  and cartoons. You always have new animations coming up, like batman, commandos, ben10 and a host of them.

These kids don’t get to build the kind of brotherhood and sisterhood we got to build in our childhood days. This is because the very moment he or she comes from school, the first thing is to do their home work  and then play their  TV games, that is if they have one. If they don’t, they  watch TV.

Our young  parents do not want to expose these kids to the experiences of the outside world so they end up becoming very dull people , and the proverbial saying “all work and no play makes jack a dull boy” comes into play.

Sanda, times have changed but our little brothers and sisters need to grow with each other and build friendship they can count on for many generations to come.

I have built friendships which I can always go back to and learn from them and to know how far they have gone in life.

In short they are my competition , I really hope our young parents will give our siblings the chance to explore the life outside their four walls; their neighborhood

Talking of which, can you tell me your favourite childhood games? I really will love to know.

 i missed you a lot though

BECE

Dear Sanda,

    Today all candidates of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) across the country have finally written their last paper.

Their joy knows no bounds, as I was moving from home a while ago, I saw the excitement on their faces and how gay they felt for finally completing their journey in the Junior High School.  

I was happy too, and felt like I just completed JHS. That reminds me of the time I completed my Junior Secondary School.

I remember my time in Adab Islamic Secondary School, My Alma Mata. I was just 13 and was one of the small ones to be writing the exam.

I was writing with my brother and cousin, and in my time we were writing for one week, two papers a day and you must learn all the two.

That takes me back to the time my one and only role model who is my uncle took time to groom us, he was so optimistic about us going through because of the grooming they gave us.

My uncle was very proud of me and my siblings, the school also had so much faith in us because we were the best in the class. You had to make sure you compete and win over your sibling and come first in class or you will not get any gift from my uncle.

I made sure I gave it my best because I didn’t want to be in the losing end.

You wouldn’t want to miss the 5000 (GHp50) or 10000 (1 Cedi) for getting all correct in your class work

And the special treatment you will be receiving for the coming days.

While I was walking through memory lane, I presumed most of the kids will get that same treatment my siblings and I got

 I remember the promise my parents and uncle made to me if I can get the best results for my end, I was so positive that I was going to get the 6 one’s as I promised my parents. I even wanted to attend St. Mary’s or Accra Girls, which was my dream.

But that wasn’t what happened to me. My results came and I did so miserably that my first and second choice schools weren’t going to pick me.

 Far from that my step mum got me admission into the school that shaped my future and gave me hope to become a better person in future.

I gained admission in Methodist Girl’s High school in the Mamfe-Akuapem in the Eastern Region.

Well I was disappointed that I couldn’t keep my promise, but when I knew that I was going to the boarding house, I was so happy, reasons because

·        I wont be doing house chores

·        I was going to see a new place

·        Because I will be living far away from home, so they will miss me

I remember how my step mum prepared me and bought all the things I needed for school, everything. But before we went to school, I got the chance to go to Aburi Secondary and Technical school with my brother, he gained admission there, and he was taken to school before my car took me to Mamfe.

I remember my first day in school very well. When I got there, they had gone for dining and I went for my plate and came to ask where the dinning hall was, the “sister” since they warned us not to call them “seniors”. She told me to put my bowl down because they have closed already.

My journey through the school was that of determination, because my headmistress Ms Janet Bediako Asare told us that, it doesn't matter how bad your results was, what mattered was how good  your final year results will be.

I remembered how my teachers took their time to guide us through our stay in school, well except my Mathematics and Science teacher who were very lazy and felt we should know it all

Well to cut a long story short, we graduated and I left school, this time with a very good result except for the second time my Mathematics and Science disappointed me again, but this time around, I left school with a determined spirit, I will make it in life

The whole point of this narration is to let the new grandaunts to know that, they have fought a good fight and they should remain very positive about what they want.

The little time you give your mind a chance to do why not and the what if’s, you giving yourself ways to be negative minded, you begin to be a failure since the mind is a very powerful tool that determines who we are and who we become.

I want these kids to know that they have to use the little time out of school to educate themselves especially their time being computer age.

To also let them know that humility is very important. The fact that you have become a JHS graduate does not mean you are above your elders, it pays to be humble

I really am hopeful that these kids will do so well, and in case of any eventualities, I am hoping that they pick a spirit of a fighter, a never say die person because in this world , when you don’t fight and press on through life, you will never get to your destination

I will end my letter by telling these kids to persevere, and make sure they make something very good out of their lives.

I hope life is treating you fairly

trotroshow

Dear Sanda,

I want to discuss the transportation system in our beloved country. Have you noticed if you don’t have your own car, or money to pick a cab, then you have to wake up at dawn to join the “trotro” show. I have no choice than to use the “trotro” show, every morning.

Imagine boarding a car in Accra to your place of work and you have to deal with a conductor (mate) who is arrogant, and has not taken his bath for God knows number of days.

A passenger who takes in early morning alcohol and you are the unlucky passenger seated beside him.

Or better still, a passenger who has bad breath or body odour (stench) and he is comfortably sitting close to you.

Better still, you having to seat besides one of this fat individual who takes more than half of the seat you pay for,

Or you depict yourself sitting in the first row of a  three(3)  sitter bus where the conductor normally sits and he takes in an extra person or maybe two with the excuse of (obi bese wa hayaa) i.e. someone will alight in a while.

You sit beside a parent with about three (3) kids and that parent pays for just a seat and you have to end up spacing out for one of the kids to sit, and other times you have to carry one of the kids, and also have to help with the load again.

            Sanda, certain times, you will have to sit beside a very sweaty gentleman who doesn’t have a handkerchief.

            I will tell you what happened to me in recent past. I got a car to school with my two male friends Stephen and Daniel. Very unfortunately i was between Daniel and another gentle man who didn’t have any regard for my health, Sanda we were sitting in the middle seat in the trotro so the young man just placed his hand on the chair in front of us. The young man raised his hands and placed it on the hand of the chair comfortably, odour started emanating from there (his armpit), I tried my best to be a lady but ladyship in this situation will “kill” my sense organs.

            You will be wondering what I did, well I just placed my head close to the window where I can breathe. Since Danny was close to the window, it really wasn’t a problem.

            That is for the private trotro buses. What of the government buses? The Metro Mass Transit (MMT). These individuals pick more than the required number of people for the bus and they take money from all of them. I wonder if the money gets to the government. (Thinking aloud). I tell you I have sat in them too, when you are in a hurry and you don’t have any alternative, when you are between the deep blue sea and the devil, you just join any. It’s not like the other will provide you a better service.

            But Sanda I can vouch for the MMT buses. They are safety first, though you cannot define the safety in some contexts. Stuffing a bus with more people than the bus can take in some situations can breed “God forbid”, certain situations we cannot fathom.

            I once boarded one of these MMT vehicles to University of Education, Winneba  (UEW), I enjoyed my journey. The chairs were very comfortable and i had fun. The driver drove very well, till we got to our destination. The car didn’t breakdown on the road.

           I have boarded some cars from Neoplan to Kumasi and Kintampo. Sanda out of about my 8 trips to Kintampo, only two took me home without the bus breaking down in the middle of the road. I don’t know what to say for my return trips, the bus broke down in the middle of the night; they had to send for a new bus to come convey us to Accra.

            I just wonder why our transportation system is more concerned about the monetary gains, instead of the safety of the passengers. If you see some of this trotro buses, they look so pathetic and rickety, with the owners trying to get the little space left for passengers for more chairs, the money aspect.

           I think if i don’t stop myself, i will go on and on and on. But let me live you with this question. Has a conductor (mate) taken your money (Balance) away with him before?

           I hope the family are doing great.

Rude mate *conductor*

Dear Sanda,

  Call it occupational hazard, twist of faith, bad luck or any other thing to relate to a bad beginning of this day.

I boarded a car from my place which was supposed to take me to Nungua for an assignment. The conductor (mate) of the bus told me to wait for some few minutes so we take off., and not to worry once they get five passengers, am good to go.

In my ignorance, i sat in the car for an hour and 10 minutes . we had more than 11 passengers seated, but my dear conductor wasn’t ready to move and call his driver.

I was in a hurry , i didn’t want to get to my assignment place late,too bad for me. I also received a call from the reporter with whom i was to attend the assignment with. She told me the delegation wanted to move and you should have seen how disappointed i was in myself. Sanda, a new intern isn’t supposed to get to an event late.

How do i put a story together if i cant get to a programme early, i was tired of waiting so i had to pick a new car,  a new car.

The new car started moving but i can assure you it was stopping at almost every bus stop, what do you expect? It is a ‘trotro’. You should have seen my disappointed face. For a moment there, i just closed my eyes and prayed “let your will be done” .

As faith will have it , his will was done. I got a call from a senior reporter who i was supposed to go to the programme called again, this time i was to meet the first part of the congregation at Achimota Old station, thank God.

Although i waited for long, the bus finally picked me into the bus with their congregation.

THE JOURNEY TO THE EASTERN REGION

I have plied the route to the Eastern Region which takes me to Brong Ahafo. The difference this time was I was very observant because i had a letter to write, and it must be interesting

You see cars over speeding like they are inanimate, or to say they have other lives. In formula one (a race game) you get into an accident, no matter how bad. You are taken to the hospital and you can continue later if you think you are fully recovered. That is in the fantasy world.

I saw a dog which had been hit by a car, the poor animal was dead. I thought the right thing was to move the remains of the animal from the street, but it was left there for the world to see.

Have I told you about my fear for this big trucks, these trucks scare me to the marrow. Guess it’s because a loved one was involved in that kind of accident so am afraid I will be next.

We got to Doboro where the driver paid his toll fee, that was when i began wondering which percentage of the revenue goes to the government.  Because the money i saw was big.

Since we were passing through Nsawam , i  presumed they were from work.

The car stopped to do what I hated in my life, buying petrol.Sanda i always believe in one preparing himself before he takes off.

We got to the G.C.B at Nsawam, they were.If you think only kids in Accra misbehave, I have news for your village kids do misbehave,I sawkids of about 8-10 standing on the high way in their town demanding for money, No matter how  bad a town looks the kings palace is the nicest .The town was in the morning, one of their own had passed on to the other land, we Ghanaian’s love funerals, so you should have seen them in their costumes. Glamour. People don’t  seem to love their life,I saw people selling on the railways. That is scary, I thought I have seen it all, but dear Sanda, am still a little girl with little experience to life. If you get me, people are really suffering. Well I will have loved to see how the programmed ended, but I was with a senior reporter. The lady has what we can call, a little attitude to teach me, but I was ready to learn, so I did.

I do wish the programme will have a good ending, but I wanted to be there; Pity.      

Domestic Violence

Dear Sanda,

  Its 9:22 pm here, I was feeling very sleepy a while ago but had to wake up because I heard the neighbours dogs barking so loud.  I heard a woman shouting and throwing stones, I thought the dogs were chasing her in the house, so she was in turn throwing  stones in self-defense.

No, it wasn’t so; she was in a big fight with her boyfriend. 

Sanda the guy was beating her with a belt like she was his daughter. He was using a belt, and I quickly run to the window to see for myself.

The gentleman had brought the lady out naked and was beating her, in a compound house. I heard whispering like he won’t let her sleep in his house because she was drunk.

Come on Sanda that is a more reason for him to keep her at his house till she gets sober. The man came out with her things and told her to go to where she was coming from. Is that not inhumane?

After packing her out, he quickly went in to lock his door inside.  

That was when the lady picked a knife and started stabbing it on the door, saying in the Akan Parlance “if you are a man come out”, the man made a good choice hiding like the coward he was. Because I was so sure the young woman will use the knife she had. As coward like him do, he remained in the room, you know what they call “Bo dua”, and she was going to curse him. The lady stripped herself naked and that was when the men in the house came out to beg her not to do anything of sort.

A woman who had been trying to stop the fight brought a cloth and covered the lady’s nakedness; she then took her to her room.

Sanda, as women we do lots of mistakes, 93% of us are culprits. As soon as a man proposes love to us, we feel that is enough guarantee to keep him. You see we claim the arranged marriages our great grandparents had is so  imposing on us. And we want the right to choose our husbands, some of us end up never getting married but will still have kids for the man in question.

 Does our African tradition teach us that?

I know of the man coming to pay the knocking fee  and doing the traditional marriage before you go to stay with him. But  Sanda during their time, they lived happily in their marriages and did not have the problems of being abused. Well I am not saying it wasn't happening, but we didn't see it happening in the full glare of the public, or we were not told.

Sanda, if we can be patient for the men come home  to ask for our hands in marriage from our parents, don’t you think that will have been better?

Because on one hand, no matter how disrespectful he is, he will give your folks some reverence. It saddens my heart when we sell our dignity so cheaply to men who do not deserve to even keep a woman.

I believe a man who has no respect for a woman does not deserve one. Just saying it like it is.  These men , once  they have two or three kids with you will later tell you their parent want them to marry a woman from their clan.

Sanda, they knew that before they sweetly deceived you of an undying love which never existed. Just lustful desires to satisfy their  animalistic passion, once that is served, you just get dumped.

Well I wished I knew this woman so I will give her some friendly advice, I think she should report the act to the police. Domestic violence leads to death, she might have been lucky this time around, but the next lady won’t be so lucky. It might end up with dire consequences.

Sanda I think I should go to sleep now, poor woman, I wonder how she is feeling.

 This coward slowly comes out of his room and is slowly talking to the woman who saved the poor lady. How I wished I had the powers of a house fly. I will have loved to hear what he was telling her. I really have no iota of respect for men who beat women, at all. Instead I hope the police will step in and send them to jail without trial, indefinitely.

I am not the woman, but I wish I can get access to her this night. Some good friendly advice will make her feel better, i have this bad feeling she will go back to him after that thrashing. The man has to serve some jail term, but it’s not going to be so, since they made up after that thrashing.

I am ending this letter on  a sad note.

 Good evening and have a lovely night.