October 6. Goodbye to good friends

Today was my last day of work with WiLDAF Ghana. As much as I am hugely excited to come home and see family and friends, it was sad to say goodbye to all the friends I'd made in Accra.

In the morning I walked around behind my office and convinced a man pounding fufu to let me have a go for a while. It made for a good photo, I think, but apparently my technique needs work.

Around lunch time, my colleagues at work threw a small party for me, and presented me with several gifts, including a shirt, a beuatiful piece of cloth, and bracelets. Their generosity was touching, and their kind words made it all the more sad to think that I will likely never see most of them again. I will make sure to keep in touch as best I can, and to spread the word in Canada about the good work they and CCI are doing.

October 4 - 5. Last days

This week was my last at WiLDAF. It's hard to believe my five month adventure is rapidly coming to an end. In some ways it feels like I've been in Ghana for ever, but mainly it feels like the time has flown by. This week I helped edit a couple articles for publication and put the finishing touches on a Toolkit WiLDAF is creating to explain the UN's Universal Periodic Review process and the way in which NGOs can get involved in it.

Sign

Sign

Everywhere a sign

Blockin' out the scenery

Breakin' my mind

Do this

Don't do that

Can't you read the sign?

October 2. Wedding bells and gender equality in action

On Saturday I attended the wedding of my work colleague Frank. It began with a rowdy church service with plenty of singing and dancing in the aisles, and continued at an outdoor reception which also involved a fair bit of dancing. There were easily two hundred and fifty people in attendance, but I was told it was on the small side for a Ghanaian wedding.

It was very nice of Frank to have invited me, and my colleagues also surprised me with a traditional African shirt which I wore for the occasion. The wedding also marked the first time I’d seen a groom have a ‘best lady,’ as another member of WiLDAF, Abigail, was asked to act in that role.

September 30. A fond farewell to a weekly tradition

This Thursday was my last Quiz Night. I went out with a bang, despite the fact that we finished second place by an agonizing half point, as I won the pint chugging contest that determines which team wins the beer round (the prize being a round of beers for all team members) whenever there’s a tie for first. In this case there was a five-way tie, and our designated chugger and current world record holder Andrew the Kiwi was out of town, forcing me to reveal a hitherto hidden talent.

Most interesting question of the week? What is the only US state without a ‘major’ airport? A: Washington crossing the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.