African Inside

I have been trying to think of something to blog about, but being in England currently I do not get myself involved in many interesting story telling opportunities. Whilst here, I live with my parents in the middle of nowhere surrounded by trees, fields and the occasional cow. The only notable event in the area is when 40,000 Ahmadiyya muslims congregate for a summer weekend in the farm next door for their annual Jalsa Salana.  (They don't cause too much trouble, just a little noise!) (It is also interesting because i get to stare at my own house on their TV coverage! Essentially stalking myself!)


However, last weekend, I was able to do something Ghanaian orientated. It was Ghana party in the park in south London. (It was supposed to be in North London, but they changed the venue less than a week before it was to take place) So, I drove my way up to Morden Hall Park to help a good friend, (the world(ish) famous PM) with his new venture. He had a stall for the new 'African Inside' t shirts! I was fairly fortunate that when I turned up, most of the setting up had been taken care of. The t shirts neatly arranged, the DJ Decks up and running and ice kenkey ready to be devoured. (well almost ready) My only task to begin with was to collect the ice, for the ice kenkey! A critical ingredient!

The event started pretty slowly, the mainstage was quiet, so thankfully PM fired up the decks and entertained the slowly increasing number of people. Before we knew it we had a fully functioning Azonto competition going on in front of us. (The winner of course got an African Inside t shirts.) Swiftly everyone inside the park was rammed around our stall watching the competition unfold. The mainstage had initially failed. All they could do was offer their own dance competition to entice the crowds.

It was in the on stage dance competition/battle that I saw one of the best azonto battle moves I have seen. It will be hard to explain this to create a picture but I will try. After one young man had finished his part of the battle his opponent started his attack. He danced over to the guy, in an Azonto fashion, and proceeded to pretend to cut the other guys penis off (in an Azonto fashion) dice it up in his palm (in an Azonto fashion) and feed it to his opponent(in....an Azonto fashion) What a fantastic move, I can hardly even twist my leg (in an Azonto Fashion!)

All, in all it was a successful day for the African Inside team! Ghana party in the park got a lot busier (people turned up very late of course!) and seemed to have a good time.

So this was pretty much my only taste of Ghana since I have been back. Apart from spending some time at the Rainbow Radio studios.

Buy African Inside t-shirts at www.theonlypm.com

There has been something I have been meaning to blog. But it does not take up enough space to be a whole blog. A while ago I wrote a blog entitled 'How to pick up a white woman in Ghana (The instruction Manual)'. This has been by far the most searched blog I have written. I am able to keep track of what people read and where people are reading from. I am also able to see some of the google searches that lead people to the blog.

'Mandingo' used to be one of the main searches that lead people to my blog. Obviously, 'Ghana' and 'Projects Abroad' searches have also given me some traffic. Rather disturbingly, there have been quite a few 'Crying prostitute' or 'have you made a prostitute cry' searches! Recently, there have been so many 'white women in ghana' searches of so many varieties. It seems like every day someone is searching 'where do I find white woman in ghana?' or 'how do i get a white woman in Ghana?' or 'rasta words white women tourists'!

I think I underestimated the amount of guys in Ghana trying to procure their own white woman! I wonder if they saw it as a tongue in cheek expose´ or an actual  guide book!

Ghana Inductions

I thought that it is about time that I use this blog to promote something that I am doing. I have a thousand and one plans in Ghana that I am trying to put into action (leading to a very jumbled brain and probably not maximum productivity)

So, here goes! I am going to offer people who are new to Ghana inductions into Ghana. When you first come to Ghana to it can be difficult to get to grips with all the cultural differences. This can even be the case if you happen to be a Ghanaian who has lived over seas for sometime. The culture shock can be quite overwhelming.

It is important to know where to go, who to talk to, how to talk to people, what to eat, where to eat, how to travel round the city, how to bargain etc etc etc. It is also nice to learn from another foreigners example. The Ghanaians I have seen show people around, try hard to give people the tips and advice, but it is not the same as being shown the ropes by someone who was a newbie in Ghana before.

It is all very well showing inductees how to eat Ghanaian food and where the internet cafe and super market is, but as a foreigner in Ghana there is a certain way we must behave and communicate with others here to make sure we get the most out of our stay.  The best way to get this information is to follow someone who is in the same situation and learn from their actions.

It is also important to note that there are a few safety issues in Ghana. As a foreigner, and perceived to be richer, we can be a target for thieves, pick pockets, scammers, taxi drivers looking to cheat us, and all sorts of people looking to cash in, in one way or another. It is necessary to learn about who to talk to and where to go and other little safety tips and I have the experience to be able to advise on the best way to be safe in Ghana.

And that, is exactly what I am doing. So if you happen to be a new comer to Ghana, or know someone that is coming that may need a little help please give me a call and I will have happy to show you around. Travel on public transport and food are all included in the cost and I assure you a fun trip around Accra.

I have tried to upload the flyer but seem to have some technical difficulties! If you are interested give me a call on 0548754477 or email me at Samuel_polley@hotmail.com

Azonto!

Sometime ago I wrote about dance etiquette (or my perceptions of it) in Ghana and my inability to understand it.

http://yevuinghana.blogspot.com/2010/12/dance-etiquette.html

Now, the dance life here has become even harder. The Azonto dance has become popular on the dance floors and streets across Ghana. Whether in a club, by the street side or at a wedding (or a funeral) men and women are randomly and sporadically breaking into the Azonto dance. Shouts of 'come on Sam, dance Azonto' are worryingly frequent and always ignored. I have a problem with the two step let alone this straight legged, hand spinning dance that at times is reminiscent of a bit of John Travolta in Greece!

If you do not know about the Azonto craze which has hit Ghana and beyond here is a little video to teach you the moves. You will be pleased to know that I am not going to give you personal lessons!

http://www.twitvid.com/SH5DQ

Enjoy, and happy dancing! (Maybe I should learn this dance!?)