Elmina Castle

Friday, October 1, 2010
Day 15-Elmina Castle

Today, Jen wants to experience tro tro riding. Alright my Friend, you got it.
We are moving out early today to take Jen to Elmina Castle. As we are approaching the junction, the taxi Driver starts in with me asking me where we are going. He finally gets it out of me and starts offering up his services. I replied with “15 cedis to the Elmina?! You must mean 1 cedi 50 peswas!” After some back and forth dialogue between us he gives us a final offer of 8 cedis for all of us. I stepped out and said, “My friend here wants to ride a tro tro, no thanks.” We go across the street to wait for the next tro tro and another taxi driver comes over to us and offers us a ride to the Elmina Castle for 80 peswas each (Like 75 cents). What?! I yelled across the street at the Driver and said, “You need to get with my Man over here! 80 peswas!” Jen said, “Do you ever stop messing with people?!” I said, “They started and I love for things to be exciting for Kofi after I leave.” LOL!

So we arrive at the Castle and the Cashier hooks us up a good rate after talking to her a bit and one of the men sends us in to the female dungeon area alone. I kept asking them, “We are getting a new Tour Guide, right? Not joining a tour, right?” We get back there and there is a tour already in progress. We set to the side and wait for OUR Tour Guide. The Tour Guide that is conducting his tour asks us if we are joining in. I told him that we were waiting for a new one. He seemed a little annoyed, and I don’t know why. So he finished a few more sites and then tells Kofi in Fante to go ask if we are to join his tour or not. Kofi returns and apparently whatever he told him, the Guide tells me that there will be no other Tour Guide coming so you all join with us. I am going to join in and we already missed the introduction, history and the first part of the tour?! HERE WE GO! I’m going back and forth with the guy that sent us back there and I told him that we want a new Tour FROM THE BEGINNING, FINISHED. We got it and in fact I saw the exact Brother that I wanted. He tells the story just as we have Salaga information laid out. He is thorough and doesn’t hold back the bitter truths. But is able to still be light somehow. He and I exchanged numbers and he told me to call him a day before I bring people so that he can be prepared for us. “Cool, my Man.”
The tour was great as usual. It amazes me to stillness that after all of these years these dungeons still affect me the way that they did back then. It’s hard for me to do the chit chatting and to deal with insensitivity around me. Like the Asian man that is running around laughing and shouting while he is posing for all of these different photo shots. Ghanaians laughing and joking; answering their cell phones while the tour is going on. TOTAL DISCONNECT. Remember this for later, Family.
I ran into another one of my contacts there while we were finishing up the tour. Ato Ashun. He is the Deputy Director of the Castle now. So, we talked about some of the plans for the Castle and exchanged numbers as well. He was the one that shut the tours down one day so that I could drum for our Ancestors there. Just me, Kofi and Theo playing for the Ancestors in each of the dungeons and cells. The Family at that time wanted to join in but bailed out on us last minute. I have it on video. You all will have to check that some time. When I brought that footage back that year, My Mother had to have me turn it off because it was too heavy and deep for her. I watched it about 2 years ago and was mesmerized by the energy. I was IN IT, so I just moved through it when we did the taping. But to revisit the energy after so many years had me frozen and hypnotized. Ato brought that all back to me. I tell you family, I am racking up some contacts this trip.

After I finished with Ato it was time to hit the prisoner cells. This area seemed to mess with Jen. The European cell started to mess with her energy. But as she entered the African cell she told me that she didn’t think that she could do this one. I encouraged her in and the Brother started in with the story. For some reason, that space got her and she started her purging there until we left and went upstairs to the Governor’s and soldier’s quarters. There was another part of the tour that touched Jen very much. As we walked up the stairs to the Governor’s quarters, she seemed to make the connection between the Female dungeons, the courtyard, the secret passage up to the Governor’s balcony and then up the stairs that she was struggling to get up. She is a traveler and loves to explore historic sites, so she was very moved by the Castle and was very pleased with the tour.
We then moved on to meet up with our Board Member, Mr. Kwofi, so that we could meet up with Doc at the University so that Doc could drive us to meet our newest OYC Physician. As we were waiting roadside outside the University Of Cape Coast for Doc to pick us up, Aggie from Brenu seen us and stopped. I introduced her to Jen and we talked about the recent power outage that we were still experiencing from last night in Brenu. She said that her Husband wants to run wire underground to their home and they are out shopping for the wires. They are talking about 150 meters of wire for $6,000. He is an Electrical Engineer so he will hire some laborers and do the work himself. NICE. I told her to keep me updated with that project. She is also finishing up her Third cottage on the beach and a water tower. DAMN, I need me a German Husband with money! LOL! It was good to speak with her. She has been a lot of help to me during my years of dealing with Brenu. I am fond of Auntie Aggie.
So Doc picks us up and we go to Dr. Holdbrook’s private clinic. He is 70 something and is in that clinic from 7am to 7pm for 6 days a week treating a waiting room filled with people all on his own. Well he has a staff, but is the only Physician. He takes us in right away and we had great conversation about him being on board with us. We leave him and go to the Lab that he uses for all lab work, screenings, x-rays, etc. That Elder that runs the lab was on point and on board as well. So, we are IN THERE. We head back to the roadside and get ready to give Jen her tro tro experience back to Brenu. Oh we forgot, we have to go into town to get some cases of water and plantains. You know how busy it is in Cape Coast, so Jen is getting her true feel of ‘running errands’ with Kojo and Kofi. We finish shopping and now it is time for your tro tro ride, Jen. We get to the tro tro station and that scene is crazier than the taxi station. Kofi asked Jen if she wanted to get in the tro tro so that she gets a good seat and she told him that she knew it would be too hot in there just waiting. Jen was clearly annoyed at this time and I felt her energy. I sang out, “You wanted to ride on the tro tro.” She looked at me and said, “Oh, so this is my lesson here? That’s why you got me out here running around with you knowing I haven’t eaten in 8 hours after running 3 miles this morning?” I actually DID forget that she said that she eats every 3 hours to keep her energy up since she works out all of the time. So I said, “Don’t people that have to eat all of the time carry food with them? And don’t go telling your people that I had you out here starving you in Africa and got you riding with goats…” She laughed and added, “And because of him, I even had to go to a clinic to see this Doctor and then to the Laboratory…” I said, “That’s exactly how you will play it up, huh? Have your Mother thinking I have you on some Survivor type of tour. Go get in that tro tro that you have us riding on today.” We laughed hard about that one, because she knows from her travels how people only hear what they want to hear when they believe what they believe. Funny woman.
I was mentally preparing myself for “Lights Out” at OB. I am behind in my journaling and once you get behind sometimes it’s hard to catch up and then you just let it go all together. AS SOON AS we drove up onto the land, Esi comes out and said “Lights JUST came on!” Thank you Divine.
We chilled the rest of the evening. I had two of our older OYC youth, Stella and Noel, come in to meet with me about a project I want them to work on. I want to Farm our land at OB until we start building again. I want them to research what it will take to start a pineapple garden on the yard. They were excited and took their assignment home to discuss with their Father’s, the true Pineapple farmers.
I showed Jen a few family photos, but could not find all of the ones that I wanted to. For some reason I could not locate them on my computer. I noticed though that she wasn’t too enthusiastic for me to find them. It was if what I showed her was fine. She hadn’t even seen half of all of the family members before she was giving the energy like it was time for her to go. I pulled out the full family photo that has us all except for Shola. I could see that she is probably not comfortable when people start breaking out their family photos. She is 39, never been married and no children. She commented on how pretty Niaimani is and said “WOW” and that was it. Her energy was OUT. So, I told her that I would find the most recent photos and share another time. She left and I thought about the many people that are not blessed to have family and children. It is perhaps their destiny to NOT have children, but it appears that Jen’s uncomfortable energy when I was sharing photos may be a sign that she is not so at peace with NOT having youth.

Alright, rest time. Off to Kakum tomorrow…CANOPY WALK!!!

“I’m awake, I have worked, and I’ve been blessed. It’s Time to Take Me Home!”

Love Family.

Jen's Arrival

September 30, 2010
Day 14-Jen’s Arrival

I’m ready to see MOMMY WATERS again. I woke up with a smile because I know soon I will be back at OB.

We arrived early at the airport to pick up Jen. I told Kofi that we should wait inside where it is more comfortable and where I can catch up on my journal entry. I got into my emails and journal entry and it’s 7am now. Her flight is scheduled to land at 7:30, so I figure we have about 45mns to an hour before we will see her. I told Kofi to go check the board for her flight. He came back and said, “It says that her plane has LANDED, Dad.” REALLY?! Wow, that is early. I go to look to my right where passengers are coming out and I see her as she is about to give her baggage slip to the attendant. Wow, what a blessing. Early landing and she’s out right away. NOW LET’S GET OUT OF ACCRA! LOL!
Jen Cesca is an old friend from New Milford High School days. She was a Freshman when I was a Senior. We became friends after I was picking on her about her laugh and confidence. Since I was one of the more popular students in the High School, you know it was cool for her to be talking to me and my friends. She has always had a ‘different’ way about her. I see that has not changed. She has traveled to China, India, North Africa, and parts of Europe for starters. All on her own personal quest. She has always wanted to travel to what she calls “Real Africa”. But she wanted to venture out to West Africa with someone she knew. After an initial Facebook reunion, we spoke and she has now found herself in traffic in Accra, Ghana; on her way to her old friends ‘little mission’. When we arrived in Brenu, she got out of the car with her mouth wide open and said, “You undersold yourself, my Friend.” I just smiled.
I took her to the school right away to meet Esther, the Headmaster and the Primary students. Jen will work at the Primary School as a Reading Teacher at the Library and teach some fitness classes as well. She is a Fitness and Wellness Coach and taught English at the College level when pursuing her PHD. So this will be her service work here at Brenu along with assisting us with some tasks at the new villages that OYC is taking on. She will be in Ghana until Oct. 29th so I will put her into the hands of Kofi and Esther once I leave.

When I returned, I went down to the ‘forest’ to see the progress and I learned that the boys did NOT return to finish the work. Oh REALLY?! Esi said that some of them outright refused to come. OH REALLY??!! I had Kofi look at what I was trying to accomplish after he showed me the SECOND snake that he has killed on the property in 4 days. I have just come from Accra…the boys didn’t come to finish my path…my locs are out…and everyone is running from the snake that I am holding. I told Kofi that we are going to go to village after looking at the path. He said, “Like THIS?!” He said that because he knows that I am not usually seen by everyone WITHOUT my crown on. I told him that I want the OYC cane stick so that we can go comb the village for our boys. I painted the picture for you, so now let’s go cane some boys.

I greeted some of the Elders and slowly people started getting closer to us because they could tell that something was about to happen from the scene that we were making. Oh, I had Kofi keep the hammer in his hands that he was using earlier. Of course, I am swatting the air very briskly with my cane as we walk into the village. I have my RASTA look with the eyes to match. I start seeing our boys come out with machetes as if they were on their way up to the property to work. You see, I failed to mention that when Jen and I were visiting the school, I was spotting our boys in the classrooms and giving them the sign that I wanted to see them up at OB after school. AND THEY DIDN’T COME?! So, it’s on in the village. After some paternal attention, we walk back with about 8 of them to do some work. I owe a few that did not come, an introduction to MY cane. LOL!

I always enjoy watching people that experience Ocean Breeze for the first time. Jen was giving her thoughts on how beautiful the beach and the property are while we walked down to have dinner at Aggies’. Dinner was good…ONCE we got it…LOL! That was for all of you that know how long they take to prepare your meals. Kofi called me right at about the time we finished dinner and said that he will come when we are ready so that he could walk us up with the light. Jen was blown away at the service and thoughtfulness of Kofi. Good Job Son.

Today was a good day and as I am communicating with the family, the power went out. No problem, I need to get some rest anyway. No power always reminds me of when we first arrived 13 years ago and it seemed like they would turn the power off in the village every other day. They called it ‘Lights Out’. It was a ritual for Franchone and Mabel to get the cards out for some 500 Rummy. Just when you’re ready to settle into a good book or a TV show…LIGHTS OUT!! Today, I am reminded that Ocean Breeze only got connected to the grid this year. It was ‘Lights Out’ for us on a regular before this year. But we have power now and it is good at times to have ‘Lights Out’ because it reminds us of how far we have come and to UNPLUG now and then.

“I’m awake, I have worked, and I’ve been blessed. It’s Time to Take Me Home!”
Love Family

Accra!

September 29, 2010
Day 13 – Accra

We left out at 5am on the nose. Good job, Driver. In fact, most of the taxi Drivers from the Elmina area don’t hire out for Accra, because they don’t know the city. And this Driver is from Brenu, so you KNOW he doesn’t know. But he has stepped up to the plate and IT’S ON.

We arrived in Accra and traffic as usual. We figured, let’s go to the Registrars General Department first to finish OBey Foundation’s NGO and change of Board Members filings. This is another task that puts Kofi in a tailspin because these guys are too slick for their own good. I found out that this office is under the Attorney General’s Office. Good to know. So we called the Brother, Mensah, to meet us and he was just arriving to work at 9am. Cool, so far so good. Kofi went to exchange some money and our worker is ready to get into it so he takes me to the back of the building where his office is; which is a small little room with a desk and 3 chairs. And 3 long rows of CRAZY files of Organizations’ papers and documents. You have no choice but to bump into each other in this room. I start right up with this guy because I felt his energy when I called him from the States. Once he finished our phone conversation back then with “Oh, and something small for me after.” THAT WAS A WRAP! So you all know my energy from the jump. I said, “Damn, look at all these papers! Where is the computer? They got yall in this little room, WRITING everything?!” I got him opening up people’s files to show me the hard work that he does, and all along I’m trying to see the receipts so that I know what people are paying for their filings. He’s got $$$$ on his mind, so his hustle is very weak right now. He explains for the first of which felt about 50 times about how hard he is working for our filing to get done. And that the regular process would take months AND they would make us run back and forth to waste our time until we dashed them. I said, “Cool Bro, thank you so much for DOING YOUR JOB.” So, we went through the procedures with his Supervisor as to what we needed today. We go out to the Document Preparers. Can I accurately paint this picture? LOL! 3 tables in an ‘L’ shape under a make shift canopy with benches for people to sit at. 4 workers with OLD typewriters in front of them. Ribbons, seals and ink stamps to make things look official. I’m already in my Jester mood and you bring me to the OUTSIDE OFFICE?! WHYYYYYYYYYY?! So, Kofi and I avoid eye contact because he knows that I am going to start up and he doesn’t know WHAT to do when I start. To make it worse, Mensah starts back up about our paperwork is making him “Suffer” today. Don’t worry family, they use ‘suffer’ like when we say something is ‘working me’. So, now I’m like he is going BACK to the Dashing thing when I just gave him a lesson on what Ghana needs to clean up in order to move forward as an international force?! Now, I’m loud and everyone in there is trying to ignore me as if they don’t speak English. I am talking about this “Dashing Bull…” and this “Begging mentality”. Yes, it got hectic and then I told Kofi to take a photo. He says, “We should ask Dad.” I responded with, “Why?! We are OUTSIDE! Stop being scary and let’s take these photos.” What, he wants to pay yet someone else for a service that they are not qualified for…Modeling. LOL!
As we are patiently waiting for this guy to key punch our document out, I engage Mensah again about politics and the ‘GHANA WAY’ of doing business. We actually had a good session. But I think his eyes were still focused on $$$$$. I think he just thought he had a talkative Rasta with him. He didn’t know the other side, YET.
We went walking to another office. But this one was at one of those market type stands with an Elder Queen that was also punching out docs on her Typewriter. Here we are about to get the change of Board Members filed. You HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME?! This is when things began to turn. He was pushing our stuff through knowing that we didn’t have everything in order, like the members who needed to be present to sign the docs. So you all know what that meant. But here’s the BEST part. My Man started up early in his office asking about the 2nd member that needed to be replaced. “Where is his signature?” he asked. We told him that we were not able to find him for about a year now. So he started practicing his signature and then told us that, “We will pay.” I let it go the first two times he said it. Now, we are at the point when THAT document has to come forward. He starts practicing again and the does it. Why is this guy making such a BIG DEAL out of this when most of what they do is twisted?! Anyway, our documents have to go to the Inspector who has to sign now, so he takes 10 cedis for the Inspector and 10 for HIS OWN signing. WHAT?! NO, this guy is not jackin’ me for 10 right now?! LOL! Oh, you know it is ON now. I was actually going to hook him up, but NOW…
We pay and are packing up our documents to leave the woman’s ‘Office’. I start up with Kofi by telling him that I want him to change his career to ‘Signature Writer’. 20 signatures will get you 200 cedis. Then we leave and I am following Mensah, telling Kofi that if you go to small village, then maybe you should only charge 5, but Cape Coast, Accra, Kumasi…10! You see how Mensah, did it?! I KNOW his Wife will be very pleased today that the ‘Professional Signature Writer’ has done very well today. Oh no Family, I did not let up until we were just outside his office. He couldn’t even get a word in with me and then he begged me to NOT say any of this stuff when we arrived in his office with his Supervisor there. OH REALLY?! This guy is making it TOO easy. I stopped and said, “Oh, Sorry Bro.” With a wonderful grin on my face. We go inside and he takes Kofi to the Cashier to pay. I know he is WORKING Kofi, but I am not worried about that because Kofi wouldn’t dare give out any of my money without my approval. So he has the wrong one for that. I am in the office with two Elders that work here and my Man Mensah walks in to bring some other paper to his Supervisor to review. The other gentleman gets on Mensah for wasting my time today. Oh, I forgot to tell you that it is Noon by this time. He said, “In fact this was a 15 minutes job and then he is on his way to his other business. You could’ve charged him his filing fee and did all of this running around without them. You have wasted their time.” Mensah jets out to join Kofi again without any words to the Elder. Then I told them that I let your boy get his hustle ON with me today, because I need the papers and I am in the mood today. But you need to retrain him. It’s these business practices that is scarring Ghana. They agreed and we talked about different things until Kofi and Mensah returned.
Alright, receipts and papers…Let’s go. “Oh Mr. Kojo, now that these are finished, I have to take them for FINAL APPROVAL.” “Alright, when can we get our copy.” I asked. He said “I have to dash one or two people and something small for myself and then I can have them ready for you to pick up tomorrow.” In the office with the Elders. Of course I got loud and watched the Elders from my peripheral vision and they turned their heads. DAMN! Not good. Now I have to blast off. He brought me outside because that small room was getting smaller from the energy. He explained to me more intensely why he needed 70 cedis to dash when my filing only cost us 50. I stopped him and told him to listen to me and don’t talk until I am done. “I called you and asked you how much and what do I need. You told me and that is what I brought. I even LET you hustle me out of the 10 for the signature and now you are getting greedy Bro.” “Oh, then let’s make it 60.” He says. I told him that “You are not listening to me. I don’t have any dash money with me!” He says, “Alright, 45 is final Kojo Bey. Let’s go file these and they will be ready.” Oh, I see. I grabbed his hand and gave him a piece of gum and said, “I am late for my next meeting with one of our Advisors, Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Appiah. Since I don’t have your dash money and I can’t come by tomorrow to see you, I will have him come by to settle with you.” WHOAH! Talk about change of tune. As I was walking away trying to give him the Minister’s phone number and name, he kept begging me to “Please don’t bring a Minister here. We are people that are not even able to speak with a Minister and you have one as an Advisor. If he comes, I will surely be sacked. I will do this for you, I will find the money for the dashes and take care of your papers for you and they will be ready tomorrow.” I looked over at Kofi and he was filled with THE POWER. I loved what it was doing for him. For me, it was sad that I had to pull that card out. But if I didn’t then I would have started to insult him personally and I REALLY didn’t want to do THAT. He made me promise that I wouldn’t even speak about this to the Minister and whisked us off to our car. Kofi and I are still joking around about our new careers as Professional Signature Writers. LOL!!!!

I’m not going to talk about the 1500 people that Kofi and our Driver were asking directions from to our next meeting. It was getting comical. But it was real. In REAL Accra traffic. We finally arrived at IOM…International Organization for Migration. They have a division that does the rescuing of the Fishing village child slaves. I met with the Man that started this whole movement up there. He was the one that was interviewed for that NY Times article on this issue. The one that Oprah picked up on and sent her reps there to report on. He was on the Oprah show and travels the world promoting their work and raising funds for the rescue missions. He brought some real good points to me today and after some good ole reasoning, we decided that we would find a way to partner and establish relationships with other NGOs that do the work as well. He said it may be a stretch, but he is hosting the American Ambassador and another American National to tour the area where the children are being forced into that labor. And by the end of the meeting, he said that if the Ambassador DOESN’T go for it for privacy reasons, then he will work to put a tour together for me before I leave. They go up and dialogue with the fishermen and youth for about 4 months and then roll on up for the rescue mission. By that time, the fishermen practically give them to the IOM. IOM doesn’t pay for the youth. I am WITH THAT. We agreed that OBey will be a Safe Haven in the Central Region for rescued youth and they and other NGOs will do the rescue and reunion with their families. Sounds good to me. I will be back in January to prepare for our first youth or maybe 5. We will see. CHANGE IS GOOD. Eric Peasah, IOM Rep, is fine with me. A little tight assed, but a good and sensible man. He also had some fire for the other rescuer that I contacted and the NGO that supports him. I liked that, so he earned points right there.

I called Mr.Appiah about our two farm contacts and it turns out that the actual Mango Farmer is inquiring with the Chief in his village to see if there is land that they can offer us. Then he will contact us about a tour of his farm. Mr. Appiah also put me in touch with the Consultant that just returned from Brazil. He is hyped and pumped to meet with me. He couldn’t today, but will be ready next week when I return. He said, “I am going to give you the complete plan so that you won’t waste ONE DOLLAR. You don’t spend ANY money on a farm until we meet and I give you the plan.” I’m FEELING that, but something tells me that it is going to cost me.

I was going to spare you family, but I have to give you the finale. I ate at Paloma tonight and we received a call. Yes folks, it was Mensah, the Professional Signature Writer. He said that we made a mistake by signing my new signature on the document that was from my old name. I was supposed to sign with the old name. He told us that he would stay around so that we can sign the document. But of course we had to get there. WOW! THIS GUY! We get there and he has just as much attitude on his face as I do. But he starts off THE WRONG WAY. He says, “You made a mistake and signed our new signature on the old documents.” I said, “No, YOU made the mistake. How were we to know to sign with my old signature without anyone telling us to?!” So, he pulls out the doc and now I am faced with studying a signature that I’m pretty sure Theo signed, so that I can sign ‘my name’…’kojo Ben Ruben’. I practice and then he practices. While he is practicing, I am looking at Kofi like; I know this man did not bring us here to do another signature job?! It turns out that he ended up signing it and looks at us like…SEE what I did?! It didn’t even look good, but hey, YOU THE HUSTLER. So, I asked, “So, are we good?” He looked at Kofi and said, “Still no money.” As he walked by us, I went to the car and he followed us over. He had to get one more hit in by saying, “I suffered with your papers because of YOUR mistake. I had to dash people and your papers were not right.” I said, “Bro, this was YOUR fault. You WATCHED me sign every document and I asked you with each one if this was correct.” I was getting too heated and about to put the finger in the chest, and then he pulled back and asked in Twi, “Alright Alright, which way are you going, I need a ride.” I LOVE MY PEEPS.

“I’m awake, I have worked, and I’ve been Blessed. It’s Time to Take Me Home!”

Love Family.

Ogun

September 28, 2010
Day 12 – Ogun

I need physical activity today. I haven’t been drumming so I can feel the need for a power move today. I am also made aware that some Ogun work is needed today. Something tells me that I am in for an intense session today.

Week two is when I began to settle into the vibes of Ghana whenever I travel here. It is the time when I look around and say, “I can do THIS.” But as quickly as that enters my consciousness, images of my family jumps in and says, “Not without US!” LOL! So, there remains the conflict of putting in long stretches of time here in Ghana. Noone’s fault. It’s my reality that dictates how I move between Africa and the States. I will be a traveler back and forth across the Atlantic for some time to come until the day comes when I have family here with me.

As I moved through the early part of this day, preparing the chalets and yard for the arrival of our guest, Jenifer, I started feeling like this is not going to be too bad. Ogun just needed me to move around and knock some things out, here and there. And then as I was finishing up a meeting with Sista Esther I looked down towards the beach and was reminded by the mini forest there that I wanted to have that cleared. At least clear a new path down to the beach because of the regular path being so steep and choppy from the rain. I kept telling Kofi that I wanted that done and he kept telling me that he will get some guys to do it. Now the worse thing for me to do in this instance with Kofi is to get out there and do it myself. So we are down to the day before leaving for Accra and he is in painting mode. Where are the ‘landscapers’? “Kofi, where are the machetes?” Actually, I have been asking for them for a few days now. He answers me with, “Do you want to cut the trees yourself?!” No, I just want to see how well you have kept them…Of course, Knucklehead! Well, he finally brought them out and now I keep looking at them and the forest. Then I get caught up in another meditation or task. I look at Ogun’s tool again, and then the forest and walk up to the trees and feel the thorns that are jetting out of most of the branches. I walk back and take a seat as if spirit is going to jump up inside of me to START this job. I see that after me sharpening one machete, Kofi has called one of our OYC boys up to start the job. I know he is panicking, because his Mothers he fears his Mothers will CANE him if anything happens to me. LOL! The young boy is our biggest youth, standing about 6’1” and built. He is 17 and his name is Paul. I took him in myself last year with his Brothers. Paul is very respectful and has a humble demeanor, but moves a bit slow. UNLESS there are plates of food in front of him, I heard. LOL! So, now I am watching Paul make slow progress and I feel Ogun coming on. I sharpened the blade more and made my way to the forest. I said my prayers and chanted my songs, now it is time to blaze a path to my goal…THE BEACH. I called Paul over to me because I knew the path that I wanted to create. So we went at it. I started off somewhat slow and was making slow progress forward because with each swipe, I was scraping up my hands. I was thinking, wouldn’t that be something if the leaves on these trees and bushes were for healing cuts. That’s what I made myself believe as the back of my right hand was dotted with blood. I had to remember my Ogun dance to help me make faster progress, because I will not feel accomplished if I don’t move this along more efficiently. The dance teaches you to hold the weeds, tree, or bush in one hand and bend it over as you whack it with the machete. I remember having to do it over and over in that little room in Brooklyn. I was thinking, why do I have to keep doing it over and over when I know I am doing it correctly?! Then the Elder told me to look at him and WHOAH! The crazy face that he had on him knocked me back a bit; but I GOT IT. So, I put the face on and it sure nuff brought the force behind those whacks more intense. But still something is wrong because I get the bending the trees down thing, but what about all of these DAMN THORNS?! Then I took a look at slow Paul and he has two long thick sticks that he’s using to bend over the bushes and trees. WHAT?! They didn’t teach me THAT in Brooklyn! LOL! So, I got my stick and IT’S ON! I got the face, the stick and I’m clearing like I have a machine in my hand. I knew I had the face because Paul’s expression on his face as he got caught standing there looking at me, looked just like my expression when I saw the Elder’s face in Brooklyn. Ogun is HERE.


Now it is time to ‘work’. I’m planting my feet firmly IN the ground and allowing my roots to settle in so that I CANNOT be moved. I am only moving forward towards my goal and vision. When I swing this machete, I’m removing whatever it is that is in my way. I am removing all obstacles that make it difficult for me to see my way to my goal and vision. I have solicited assistance but am willing to take this task on myself, because the vision is that important to me. I’m not worried about the scrapes and cuts that I receive. The manifestation of the vision will far outweigh them. I was IN IT. I even told Paul to go take a water break because I knew that Ogun was about to start barking at him and his slow movements. I was now alone for sometime in the forest and I was able to dive IN for a bit to unlock more secrets. I asked about the challenges of my right hand. It was becoming tired and somewhat sore. I began to feel like it would slow down my progress and make me feel as though fatigue was going to block the manifestation of my goal. Shango came in very briefly and said, “DRUM.” Immediately, I looked at my left hand and said, “Thank you Shango.” I switched the stick and machete in either hand and went back to Ogun. WHAT?! Like BUTTA! It’s a wrap. I turned because I heard something and it was Paul with that expression on his face again. I turned back and smiled…I’m in the right side of my mind and still GOT IT. I was thinking about the concept of sacrifice and perseverance. Is this fight and work really worth the energy today? As I got closer and closer, I could hear Yemoja sending her waves stronger and stronger. We’re getting there and I am more and more encouraged by the progress and the sound of Yemoja. But I am still pondering, am I psyching myself out to think that this mental exercise is worth the struggle? Is what I want to see, feel, hear, experience from this vision really worth all of this work? Then with a few more Ogun whacks, I see Yemoja. The feeling of accomplishment and conquering my anxieties overwhelms me and I just stop and stare for a moment. I looked back at the work and thought about all those that will be able to walk straight to the beach as they experience the beautiful flowers and forest habitat on the way. I thought about the physical fitness that I just put myself through that will help me to endure my journeys ahead. Then I look back at Yemoja and smiled. Yes, Mommy Waters, it was more than worth it. It is Divine. Then one more glance back I looked at Paul as to say with my eyes, “You see?!” And he looked at Mommy Waters, as to say, “AND?” I guess maybe the work wasn’t so Divine for Paul, but I’m sure there is a goal and vision that he lives with that will be well worth his struggle and perseverance.

Yes Family, it’s always good to go to the right side of the brain when we get too caught up with logic and THINKING so much. The creativity and subconscious flow, resides there. We need to balance out our mental state at times by changing up our thought process and allow the right side to dictate our movements sometimes. I don’t know what creative activities you like to engage in, but it will help when you DON’T feel like what you have been thinking about or trying to figure out, will help to manifest your goal and vision. (Vibe on it a bit. LOL!)

Fortification Time! ACCRA!

“I’m awake, I have worked, and I’ve been blessed. It’s Time to Take me Home”
Love Family

Home Office

                                       

                                          

September 27, 2010

Day 11 – Home Office

I’m working from the office today; which also happens to be home (Chalet 1). I guess some things don’t change, huh? But it is necessary for us to construct a real office soon so that we can let Ocean Breeze exist as it was intended…HEALING VIBES. Speaking of healing vibes, I am reminded in my spirit today of what most of my movements are geared to serve. THE YOUTH. I am thinking particularly about our Yeji youth. Those youth that have been stripped of a ‘normal’ childhood to work as Fishermen…Slaves. No pay, one meal each day, long hours, beatings, drowning, no schooling, no families to see to them each day. So, I make a call to one of the NGOs that does the rescue of these youth. I communicated with him, Mr. Peasah, from the U.S. and then again when I arrived here. I also communicated with a Gentleman named Mr. Achibra who also does the rescue mission. My plan is to go rescue one child and bring him/her back to Brenu and put that one child through the OYC rehabilitation program. Both of them seemed interested while I was in the States and told me to contact them when I arrived in Ghana. GOOD. I’m in Ghana and I contacted them and they want to meet me in Accra. ACCRA?! But the youth are up in Yeji, not too far from Salaga, family. NORTHERN REGION. Accra is Eastern Region. So, I explained what our mission is and they both still insisted to meet first. You know I am turned off, because I know that I am about to be put through some script that will ultimately lead to a contract to pay a certain amount of money for this mission. I am not interested in that; at least not at THIS point. I just need a translator and someone that knows those islands where they keep the children. I decided that I would comb our area and make a few phone calls to see if I could secure that assistance. If I don’t, then we go meet with the ‘rescuers’. I wasn’t successful in securing someone so I called them back to arrange my meetings in Accra…I did say ‘Patience’ very early on in the trip, right?

Mr. Achibra is an Elder and will not budge. So, my meeting with him will be on Wednesday. Mr. Peasah was more helpful in giving information. But he is also one that seems like he will doubt your program until you prove that you can do this work. As far as I am concerned, if someone wants to step up and rescue 1 or 100 youth from that situation and brings them to a healthy and/or so called ‘normal’ environment, then why question the plan that is in place. SAVE THE BABIES! I’m calling you from the U.S. and then again in Ghana. You don’t call me back when you said you would. I am still persistent and explain to you my mission and our NGO’s history in the Central Region already. Wouldn’t THAT be enough for you to say, I’ll meet you in Yeji to get your youth?! Of course not, this is GHANA. Yes, Mr. Peasah is questioning our business plan and our rehabilitation program. No problem, I know this game as well. I called him today. “Oh Mr. Peasah, well that is why I am contacting you. You all are the experts at this so I was appealing to you all to perhaps form a partnership so that we can strengthen the mission that we both are so passionate about.” Of course I have his interest now. Stroking…Stroking…LOL! He even tells me that they have specific times of the year when they do the missions. He says, “Our next mission will be in February.” I’m sorry family, but you have the means to go get those youth, but you are waiting until February to do so. IF you DON’T have the means and someone shows up WITH the means, then wouldn’t you jump up to send a Rep to go get a youth?! Especially if this is ALL that your NGO does! I may be a bit ‘green’ in this area, but that’s how I think. Anyway, we will meet with Mr. Peasah on Wednesday as well. Wednesday, because I have to be in Accra to pick up Jenifer first thing on Thursday morning from the Airport. So, with God’s Grace family, next week we will begin the rescue mission.

Esther came by after school with Otwidom (pronounced O Tree Dome), which means “Crowd Puller”. He is something else and all of you that knows Sista Esther’s plight with conceiving must know how happy she is to be a Mother now. We had a lot happen while she went home to Accra over the weekend so we caught up on all of the business runnings and began to tighten up the plan for expansion. Sista is committed as ever and it will be a SERIOUS void to fill when she decides to move permanently to Accra with her Husband. So, we are talking about changing her position with OYC so that it will be more in harmony with her future personal plans.

Kofi is out tying up some loose ends. We need our Surveyor here ASAP to prepare papers to meet with the New Chief’s Surveyor to finish the Ocean Breeze indentures and talk about plotting out the 20 acres for the Youth Complex. Kofi needs to check in with the Agriculture Department regarding the timing of the soil testing of the farm land. He will also conduct the first meeting at Mpeasem with the Caregivers and youth. When he finally returned today, he gave the report that all was successful except for meeting the Agriculture Director. I’m getting anxious that this farm thing is getting away from us. Time is not on our side. As Kofi and I are talking about the Surveyor stuff, Esther chimes in with, “If Brenu doesn’t take good care of you, I will bring you to my family village for land.” She was joking, but it made me think of something. I asked Kofi, “Where did our Government man, Mr. Appiah say the big Mango farm is located that he wanted us to visit?” Kofi said, “He said near Winneba Junction.” I said, “Sista, is your family land near this place?” She said, “I know the big Mango farm in that area, our land is across from there.” WOW! I’m excited. I will call Mr. Appiah tomorrow and set up the meeting. If it’s poppin over there then we will get Sista to negotiate land for us. It’s only an hour away, which would be no problem once we get our own vehicle here. Just that quickly, I am feeling encouraged about our farm land. You see family, we can get farm land in any of these villages that we are providing OYC services in, but if they are not able to grow the future cash crop, MANGO, then why put the investment there? We will no doubt have a smaller farm in Brenu or nearby, but not the one that we need to sustain OBey’s projects in Ghana. 100 acres or more. But 40-50 acres to start.

It appears that yesterday’s “FIRE” filled day was very stimulating to the family in the States. I was very pleased to read the feedback from that day. I was so hyped up from that day that I typed my frustration and adrenaline out for an hour straight to Isis, family. I didn’t even think that I would have anything to journal about after that. LOL! That is one drawback for not having my inner circle out here. I don’t have that ear to listen and reason about the runnings out here. So, it is a blessing that I have communications poppin with you all. The feedback that you all have been giving has been so stimulating for me. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

WHERE’S THE COOK. Esi was late coming in this morning. She traveled yesterday to bring her little Sister back to their Mother and it got late so she stayed overnight. She arrived late in the morning at Brenu. Then later, we were looking for her for dinner and she came when I was finally walking Esther home in the dark. Kofi had already started dinner. So it appears that our Cook was not playing. She is NOT around like she was. She is making her transition and it is definitely stinging Kofi. He is finding it hard to keep his cool tone when communicating with her. But even Esther explained to me that there were complaints that those two would be arguing in front of the youth at the OYC program. She would have to call in while on maternity leave to settle disputes between them. I’m happy that she told me this, because I was beginning to think that my therapeutic exercise has divided them. But that energy has obviously been escalating and this is good that they are taking their space. She needs to mature and develop with others her age. Kofi is 28 and she is 21. And she is a VERY young 21. But she made it up in time to assist Kofi with the meal. Beef stew, plantains, and salad. Just keep the peace around my food, PLEASE. LOL!

“I’m awake, I have worked, and I’ve been blessed. It’s Time to Take Me Home”

Love Family

A New Day!

September 26, 2010
Day 10 – A New Day

There is something exhilarating about traveling to new villages and meeting new communities, Chiefs and Elders. Today, we will attempt to meet with Nana Brempong here in Brenu. Since he has gone and come back the hope is that he is renewed and coming with NEW energy. We would also like to go to Ayensudo, Abaye, and Mpeasem. Plus get back to Ocean Breeze for a meeting with The Eghan Family about Miss Gifty in the U.S..

So, we are going to start off this adventurous journey by putting me in a very unsettling position. ON THE BACK OF THIS MOTORCYLE!! I can’t stand being on this thing. First of all, because I am NOT driving I feel like Kofi is hitting all of the crazy bumps and taking sharp curves fast to get back at me for being a tyrant of a Manager and Father. And then I always felt like girls should be on the back of Motorcycles with a guy, so there’s THAT as well. And if it was just riding down through Brenu, no problem but this Abaye is like 15 miles away, on a bad dirt road. I have to peel my fingers off of the seat rack when we stop. If there was video rolling throughout the trip then Kojo Bey is not looking like his calm, cool and collected self; but of course when it stops I get off like I’m getting out of a limo. LOL!!

ABAYE!! I used to come here back in the day with Nana Okofo to see the Surveyor of Brenu. When you are getting land in Ghana, the Surveyor becomes your best friend. It is he who will take you to see the land. He has the tools and master plan to plot out your land and create a site plan. It is through him that you will receive your final indentures that get filed at the Lands Department. Mr. Mensah is his name and he was amongst the original crew that gave me the Ocean Breeze land. Mr. Mensah did some slick dealings throughout the years and one year I just wasn’t IN THE MOOD. I told him straight out about his ‘trickish’ ways and even recorded one of our conversations so that the Elders could hear what he was coming out of his mouth with. Anyway, he told me that I was a rascal and that he used to like me but now he only likes my “Papa.” Then on one occasion after Kofi gave him transport money back to his village, Mr. Mensah told Kofi, “Tell your Father that you gave me 10 cedis for transport so that you can make something from the reimbursement.” Kofi told me that he only gave him 1 cedi. WOW…I AM the RASCAL?! I was sorry to speak it out back then, but I told Kofi that Mr. Mensah is going to ‘meet himself’ very soon. Today when we arrived in Abaye, Mr. Mensah’s village, we couldn’t stop to see him because he is not even fit to manage himself. He is like those that walk around mumbling and sucking the jam from their toes. No, it’s not that I find joy in poking fun at someone else’s challenges. BUT he had it coming.

The first meeting in Abaye would be with the potential Caregivers and youth. I told Kofi that these initial meetings with the community in the various villages are for him and Mr. Kwofi. I will come out when the Chief and his Elders are ready to meet. But we organized both here, so I had to attend. It was a very good meeting with lots of Q&A. Kofi was the Man and I assisted. We have about 35 youth to consider for OYC registration here. We then met with the Chief and the Elders. This Chief is young and very strong. I LOVE the way he speaks. Not trickish and slick at all. They didn’t ask for ANYTHING from us and assured us that they are going to do all that they can to show that they appreciate this opportunity that OBey is opening up for them. NICE!!! Why can’t all of my meetings be like this? LOL!

So I got back on my Limo with a heavy ass bag of oranges that the village gave us as a thank you offering. As if I need anything else to throw me off balance on this thing. Abaye is known for its orange farms. CRAZY amounts of oranges here. I asked today about the business of the oranges and found out that they sell 100 oranges for $3.50. You will have about 125 trees on 1 acre of land that will harvest about 1000 oranges in one growing season. They will have 2-3 growing seasons. We figured out that they make about $35 per tree, which somehow came out to about $35,000 to harvest a 10 acre farm of oranges. I spoke to them about thinking about making their own juice in the village so that they can make more from their oranges because they aren’t making too much for the amount of oranges that they produce. But it’s real nice to ride by and see the crazy amount of orange trees in a village not too far from Brenu. Ghana grows EVERYTHING here. I love it.

Mr. Kwofi was at the meetings with us in Abaye and told us that he wanted to take care of the Ayensudo meeting since we were not going there to meet about OYC, but rather finish the land issue. They really think that we have been gathering up our money to bring them the deposit on the $75,000 that they are charging us for land to build the Youth Complex on. It’s not even worth my typing to go on with that. We will be back when they gather the youth and Caregivers for OYC. I will get my ‘laugh on’ when I finally arrive to meet with the Chief and Elders about their $75k. Mr. Kwofi got this, then we are off to Brenu.

BRENU BRENU BRENU. We find out where Nana has been staying and an Elder meets us at the door and invites us in. I immediately thought he was one of the Elders that show up at the palace when we are holding those meeting with Nana. He has sent for some of his committee to come through so that there are witnesses. I didn’t know why at the time, but after briefing him on what our issue is, he lets us know that he is the NEW CHIEF OF BRENU. WHOAH! I was honestly looking pass this man and wondering why he is asking me so many questions as if he can do something about what we need. He is Nana Brempong’s younger Brother and speaks English well like Nana. He is obviously educated and knows his business dealings. But he is from the other village that their family founded, Brunyibima. So, I go into our issue and assure him that there will be NO DASHING today because that’s the first thing he came out with. The next bad move on his side was acknowledging the man that came stumbling in as one of his committee members. I know this man well and he is a straight up DRUNK. In fact, 98 percent of those that eventually came into that room were drunk or had just been drinking. So what does that say about our NEW CHIEF? Anyway, I’m sure you can tell by my tone that I was not in the ‘Welcome to Brenu’ mood. Even the old interim Chief came in with all of the warm “Kojo Bey! Kojo Bey!” The mood shifted a bit now because the New Chief now knows that I am who I said I am but is in defensive mode now. I am annoyed with the scene that I am a part of. I asked Nana after some back and forth conversation, “If a man comes to you and gives you what you want for some land, but does nothing for your community and children. Then I come along with my history here, and want land; are you going to treat me the same way that you treat the first man. He went into justifying why he treated me that way that he did initially and then finally said, “No.” I said, “Good.” Now can we move on with what we need to take care of? We agreed on what needs to be done at Ocean Breeze and the 20 acres for the Youth Complex. We were extremely late for our meeting with the Eghan family, but this was important. We were just about finished when one of his drunks, oh, I mean “Committee Members” told us that they will do whatever they need to do to make sure all of our business dealings are handled the way that we need them to be. Then he made the wrong turn in his little speech. He said that we need to find “something” for them to get something for prayers so that all will go well for us. I told Kofi to tell them that we must make our meeting, but we will send something back down for them. They asked all types of questions as to where are we going to send it, and what will the ‘something’ be, blah blah blah. I swear, fire pushed my butt up out of my chair and I asked each of them their ages. They were all in their 30s and a couple in their late 20s. One was 40. I told them that “I am your Elder.” I hope that you come up to the land when we are building so that you can bring this ‘enthusiasm’ to get ‘something’ from me and put it into helping your community and youth.” The Nana snickered a bit and they started to and I told them that THIS is NOT funny. You all are too young to be sitting in here with your hands open looking for ‘SOMETHING’ from me who has been taking care of your children for years now. I’m not playing these games with you all anymore. You need to stop begging and get out here and develop this village.” One man stood up who in fact has always been a voice of reason throughout my years visiting the palace and told me, “Don’t bring us anything, Kojo Bey! You don’t have to bring us ANYTHING!” And then started cussin’ his “Committee” out for their request of me. Nana extended his hand to me and told me to remind him about the 20 acres after we finish with the indentures of Ocean Breeze this week. He said, “If it hasn’t been given to anyone, then you will surely get it.” NOW THAT’S PEACE Nana, Medase Peeeeeeeee. We’re OUT! Well, not before I laid it into Kofi about NOT bringing the FIRE in there. I told him that this is where it is needed Son, not with your Family. Right here, with a room filled with your Elders that don’t respect you and are trying to hustle you. He got it and will eventually be put to the test.

Now, imagine the energy that is on me from this meeting and this damn limo, going up to deal with the Eghan family about that Hot Mess, Gifty. I did my deep breathing, welcomed Mr. Eghan and Gifty’s Mother and went into our story. I started to tear up as I told the story as if I am appealing for someone else. They heard all that I had to say and I finished by telling them that I need them to write a letter to Gifty stating that they met with me and that they are aware of the debt that Gifty and Eddie owes me and that they have agreed to make payments on it. Mr. Eghan and Kofi are acting as translator for Gifty’s Mother and are in apologetic mode. Gifty’s Mother is in defensive mode and is appealing for me to bring the $10,000 down and asking all types of why did I do this and how did I know this and…WHAT??!!! How about, I’m sorry for what my Daughter has done to your family?! Mr. Eghan apologized on Gifty’s and his family’s behalf. She just agreed, but never gave the humble apology. Mom is a playa just like Gifty. In fact she just spoke with Gifty and Eddie yesterday. I had to join her BRIEFLY in her gaming and asked did she know about Eddie’s other family? She didn’t answer. Mr. Eghan and Kofi both reacted with crazy shock. I kept asking her and she kept doing that thing that Gifty does when she doesn’t want to answer something. Just sits there like they don’t understand English. I told them to ask her in Fante and she barks back at them that she understands. Kofi can’t even look at his Aunt in her face. He addressed his Father with everything. This Gifty issue has created a split in the Eghan family back when they found out about Gifty’s behavior in the U.S.. So, she finally said Yes to knowing about Eddie’s other family. But she said she only knew about one child. I said, “He has two and one is about 2 years old. Do the math.” Instead of showing any type of humility she found herself correcting me about him being in China instead of Thailand. I thought to myself, I know this type of personality. All of her wrong dealings has come back to bite her in the ass and she is the type that will find a way to push your buttons so that her stuff won’t smell so bad. She was all teeth and warm when we were working on Gifty’s papers. But she didn’t even want to greet me when we arrived from Nana’s. She had the nerve to ask,”Why did you leave her at the train station? She doesn’t know the U.S. and how to get around.” Wow, this woman. Are you Serious?! I told her that not only did I tell my Wife to drop her ass off at the train station, but I wanted to reach through the phone and grab your Daughter’s neck for what she did at my house. We trained your Daughter how to take the train. Gave her traveling money and a cell phone. We fed her and even took her to church a couple of times and sat through those services with her. And you come out of your mouth with what?! “Let’s do this Auntie. Can you pay Gifty’s debt?” She said, “No.” I asked, “Can you force Gifty to pay me?” She went back and forth with this, but eventually said, “No.” I told her that, “So, you can’t really do anything for me. I am meeting you to make you aware of our side of the story and to let you know my plan for Gifty now. I want the letter from you. I will bring it to Gifty and have a talk with her. I will remind her of her debt and her agreement to start paying and will tell her that if she doesn’t pay then I will call Immigration. If I call immigration, then your Daughter will be put in Jail, the baby will go with social services, and she will eventually end up here in Ghana in your yard pounding foo foo with no chance of EVER getting a VISA to the U.S. again. Anything you would like to say to that Auntie?” She sighed and then I got a call that I had to take. When I came back, WHOAH! The three of them were IN IT. I had to calm them down and tell them that I have to get on a phone meeting, so I’m done. Mr. Eghan said that the Mother has decided that she will call Gifty and appeal to her that they must start paying and to be aware of the Immigration threat. I said, that sounds good to me. Medase family. PEACE!

These are the type of days that I am so thankful for who God made me and for the way that I am. Ghana is changing rapidly with the fast movements of America to sink her claws deep into the soul of this country. Soon, these Chiefs will be laughed at because it will be business men and NGOs that will be running these villages. Just like any other developing country. Cripple the people, then charge them for what they naturally had. The old way of dealing with us Africans from the Diaspora is OVER. I am one of the ones that will not allow Ghanaians or any other indigenous African to tell me that this unrighteous behavior is ‘custom’ or ‘our culture’. That hustle is OVER. If you don’t make the move towards change then prepare to be MOVED.

“I’m awake, I have worked, and I’ve been blessed, It’s time to Take Me Home!”

Love Family

Not WHY, it's HOW!

September 25, 2010
Day 9 – Not WHY, It’s HOW!

Today, I want to see and speak with the family. The first week away is always the roughest. I am still getting acclimated to the environment and culture. While that transition is happening I am naturally dealing with missing all of my peeps. So today, I will more than likely be in touch with the family throughout the day; and because of technology…I CAN! LOL!! It’s good to hear that the family has enjoyed these journal entries. I believe everyone takes a little something different from them, but it is important to me that you all find them ‘good reads’.

So, after my meditations and communications with the family today, I have an appointment WITH the beach and AT the beach. I have a client today…KOFI! I know that you all are probably getting ready to laugh, but this one is little bit more on the serious side. I need to talk with him about his relationships with his Brothers and Esi. The major issue is the WAY he communicates to them. He is too harsh with them. Too many insults and when he is disturbed, he complains about the smallest things. It’s actually something that I have spoken to him about over the years, but it came to a head the other day. Paa Ekow wanted to leave and had crazy attitude. They all came into my chalet. Papa Mensah mentioned out loud that Paa Ekow is annoyed today. I said, “Oh Paa Ekow, what is it, Son?” He didn’t answer. I mentioned Papa Mensah and he didn’t respond. I mentioned Kofi and WHOAH!!!! The look that this young man had on his FACE. GANGSTA!!!! I said, “Kofi, what did you do?” He told me some story which isn’t even that important. The WHY isn’t the issue here, it’s the HOW do you communicate with your peeps? Paa Ekow cut Kofi off with a few remarks in that Gangsta tone, with the ‘cut you’ expression on his face. It was upsetting Kofi more where now Kofi was allowing that energy on his face and he had the nerve to say, “Oh Dad, you see the way that he talks to his Senior Brother?! He even speaks to our Father likes this!” I looked at Kofi and just gave him the ‘We are going to have a long talk today, Big Brother’ look. So, I heard Paa Ekow out once Kofi left the room and it was exactly what I want to address today. He is tired of Kofi’s insults and attitude toward him. He said that he doesn’t like the way that he talks to him. I told him that I agree, but THAT’S your Brother. Your Brother that HAS always and WILL always look out for you. So, don’t EVER turn your back on him. Soon, Kofi came for Paa Ekow and they rode off on the motorcycle to Elmina…Paa Ekow was OUT! Well, not just because of the incident, but also because he is traveling to his new school on Monday and has to get his stuff ready. Peace Son, back to Senior Secondary School.
Now, when Paa Ekow and Kofi left, Esi comes in now with her complaints about the way that Kofi treats his Brothers and even his Father. She explained to me that it is because of Kofi, why Paa Ekow left today. I am starting to wonder now where this conversation is going, because it doesn’t sound like a supportive Wife looking out for her man. She continues and told me that she even spoke to Kofi a few times about the way that he speaks to his Father. I listened and agreed. THEN she comes out with remember when I told you that I would not marry Kofi, Dad? I said, “Yes.” She said, “I can’t marry a liar.” I knew that I was in for a journey now. I buckled my seatbelt and checked to make sure it was fastened properly and took that deep breath before TAKE OFF. Let’s go Daughter, what’s up? Without going into too much detail, she explained that she believes that Kofi has been cheating on her and also she doesn’t like the way that he speaks to her either. But the cheating thing, lying and going to see other girls has been resting heavily on her heart for some time now. I’m so happy that I fastened by seat belt because that was some serious turbulence for me. Kofi?! I still can’t believe it. He is sociable and probably draws more attention since he has been the Property Manager of Ocean Breeze and the various projects; but to be running around with other women? I can’t see it. But then again, I’m supposed to be wearing glasses when I drive, so I can’t see a lot of things. LOL! “I got it Daughter and I will address it, alright?” She said, “Alright Dad.”

In walks Papa Mensah on the tail end of this ‘Esi ride’ through ‘Kofiland’. I asked him about these things and Papa is truly a diplomat. He has never been one to put Kofi ‘under the bus’. And from WAY back he has been the one to catch MOST of Kofi’s attitude and insults. Papa has a cool, calm and collective way about him, but he will sting Kofi if Kofi comes a little too strong. So Papa finally told me that he believes that there may be some merit to what Esi is saying about the trust issues. WHAAAAAAT?! Even Papa believes it to be true?! Damn, this is what MY beach time today is going to be about?! You know I am already forecasting a long counseling session today with Kofi in Yemoja’s office. So, I decided that I will get myself ready and hit the beach while Kofi is gone in order to get MY time in. “Hey Oludumare, you’re very funny!” RAIN RAIN RAIN! I’m talking, ‘gotta bring the clothes in off of the lines with a poncho’ type of rain. So, I smiled and sat my butt back down and reached out again to the family. As I was getting play by play commentary via YM of Nile and Rajuma’s football games, I notice that the rain is slowing down and the sun is coming out. I am encouraged that I am going to get my time in. It has been about 2 hours now of rain and I know that Kofi has some serious running around to do because he asked me for an advance on his salary so that he could pay Paa Ekow’s school fees. So that means that he will have to go change money; pick up one or two things for the house from the market, bring the money to his Father’s house. Then of course he will make a few stops before returning, because that’s what everyone does when they go to Elmina and Cape Coast. So in essence, I have time. As I am wrapping up the end of Rajuma’s game which was the second game, I see that the sun has come back out, fully. I have to end this session and hit the beach family. As I am typing my ‘Peace and Goodbyes’, don’t I hear a motorcycle putt puttin’ up the hill?! WOW!!!!! “Alright Oludumare, you ARE funny.” So Kofi and I descended down to the beach together the way that The Most High wanted it today.

I am so amazed that our beach here looks so magical after all of my years coming here. This beach is majestic and divine. Truly a place that will forever be timeless. What a blessing it is to have this as Ocean Breeze’s backyard. It’s YOURS too family, so don’t trip. So, the beach, Yemoja, me and Kofi. We sat down and I began to talk about what we need at Ocean Breeze as we move forward. Then I transitioned into one of my personal stories that all of you are so familiar with. The way that I tell my own story to bring a lesson forward. I went for the comfort zone thing first. I told him that I don’t believe that your Brothers, Father and Esi have OBey in their souls the way that you and Esther do. Because of that, they don’t meet your expectations. I told him that he has to do something about that before I do. They can always help you, but they don’t need to be here as much as they are when I am around. They can help you with certain things and visit me, but not as staff. Esi will be going away to cooking school so she will be out anyway. So we need to train up a Cook before I return in January. It was a bit rough for him, but he knew that it was true and accepted that pretty well. Then I went on to the HOW you communicate thing. Very sensitive area. I told him what I had been seeing and hearing over the years and I don’t like it. I gave him a chance to explain himself and I said, “Now, I’m warning you. I don’t want to hear anything about ‘they’ or this person or that person. Tell me about Kofi, I and me.” He started off running and was about to speak about the others right away and what they do and don’t do and caught himself. I looked at him and he said, “Alright Dad.” He then began to explain all of his standards and expectations and it was leading us to the place of people don’t meet my expectations so that is why I speak to them the way that I do. You know I seen THAT ONE coming. I stopped him and told him that Son, I know where this is going. I don’t want to hear about the WHY you talk to them the way that you do, I want you to address the HOW you speak to them. I gave him a personal example by RIPPING into him with the vulgarity and aggression about something that he did recently at Ocean Breeze. Then I brought it with the cool, sarcastic energy that I usually bring. I asked, “Did that first one feel good?” He nodded no. He looked at me and said, “Alright Dad, I get it.” I gave him some tips on how to change that behavior and I believe that he will work on it.

Now it is time for the BANGER…ESI. And I forgot to tell you that Esi had concerns about how I was going to address the trust thing. She was anxious that I may convey to Kofi that she was telling on him and wanted me talk to him. I told her that I wouldn’t do that. So I put it in Kofi’s hands. I told him that when a woman is in LOVE and knows that she has a good man that can support her, she doesn’t tell people that “I won’t marry.” “Something is wrong there, Kofi. What did you do?” He told me about finances and what she expects and because he doesn’t meet her expectations, then she get annoyed and thinks that he is holding money back from her. I listened to all of that, but you all know what I want to talk about. So, I told him that I hear you and finances are always at the top of the list when it comes to problems in relationships. But the way she said what she said, “I won’t marry.” There’s a trust issue going on. Talk to me about other women. Now things became very interesting. I never seen Kofi squirm about women before, which made me wonder if he really does have some “Playa Playa” in him. After two stories that I know were not the cases that Esi brought to me, I asked, “Could there be ANY OTHER issues with women?” He gave me the emphatic “NO NO NO!” I asked him, “How would he feel if I called Esi right now and asked her?” He said, “No problem.” I took the phone so that there would be no Fante going on before I spoke with her. I asked if there were any issues with other women that I need to address Kofi with. She told me that she is with the Grandmother so she would rather talk face to face with Kofi and me. I told her that I wanted a yes or no to my question. She said, “YES.” I told Kofi and then like a bug buzzed into his head he JUST remembered something that came to him. LOL!! I rubbed his head and said, “Yeah, I figured that you would.” Anyway, it was yet another story that made Esi look like she is a jealous maniac; so I just listened. We finished by talking about our plans for the rescued child that we will bring back to Brenu and then I went to Yemoja to get a little ‘work’ in. We went up the hill and Esi was already preparing food. Kofi had a nice tone as we settled in the house. Esi seemed a bit surprised, but flowed with it. I requested something that Esi didn’t remember and Kofi jumped in to prepare it WITH her. They talked nicely and it was a beautiful scene. Plus I didn’t want to bring any issues while they were preparing MY FOOD. You all know how I am about my food and energy. I will fast for a week if I have to rely on someone with attitude to prepare it for me. LOL!! So, my food is on the table and I’m ready to eat. I said, “So Daughter, I almost forgot that there is something that you want to talk about?” It is now that Kofi decides he is ready to go and eat HIS dinner before it “Spoils”. Yeah yeah yeah Son, sit down and relax. Esi clams up and won’t speak now. Kofi said, “Maybe she wants me to leave Dad.” I said, “I spoke with each of you alone already. I don’t want to have the same talk with you two alone. I’m ready for the group session.” He sits back down. I ask Esi, do you want Kofi to leave? Whe said, “Yes, Dad.” She is noticeably nervous, but I am trying to help her push through. Esi, you want him to leave and then you and I are going to talk about the same thing? She said, “Oh, he can stay.” She brought IT and WHOAH did she BRING IT. I kept looking at Kofi with the ‘Oh you had nothing else to tell me, huh Son?’ look. I wouldn’t let Kofi speak so that we could hear all that Esi had to say. Then it was Kofi’s turn. Wheeew, did Esi give off some HEAT as Kofi weaved his story. Whoah! The LOOKS from her. The remarks in Fante, that I didn’t even WANT to know what she said. It was clear that these two were either going to need to work on their relationship and fast or this is coming to a quick end. Kofi said, “Dad, you made me respect her time and now look at her. She keeps coming in with whatever she wants to say.” I told Esi to chill. She continued, and I just kept telling her to chill. Kofi went on and on with his stories. I had to threaten him at one point by telling him, “Son, if this story does not lead to the person in question, then I am going to cane you!” He FINALLY got to the point and it sounded like he was being true to his character. I still believe that Kofi is not all that Esi believes him to be. I also believe that Esi is extremely jealous and insecure and that she needs much more time to develop and be exposed to more of the world (Ghana) before getting into a serious relationship. My main reason for entertaining all of this today was because in looking forward at our Healing Compound, we cannot have the Caretakers of the property moving around here with all of that tension and attitude. I would rather we send everyone away and hire staff that just does the job and goes home. That’s what I brought to them today. I told Kofi, “Your Brothers and Father are OUT and ESI is OUT.” I don’t want anyone else experiencing what I have experienced already in my short time being here. Not easy for him, but he needed that bitter pill.
When I explained this to Esi and how she is my Daughter and that we will always take care of her, she responded with “Kofi needs to go his way and I will go mine, Dad. I will always come when you are here to take care of you and whatever you need, but I will now only take Kofi as a friend from today going.” WOW. “Esi, Daughter. CHILL. Relax. Don’t make decisions when you are angry like this.” She told us that, “Dad I have made my mind up last month and just did not say anything.” Wow, that shut me down right there. I looked at Kofi and asked, “Are you going to fight for her to stay?!” He said, “Dad, she knows that you are my Father and knows how much I love you and that you are my Spiritual Teacher. If she can say such things like she will not marry me and she wants to break up, then I have to think that she is very serious and that she has been holding on to this. So, I have to remember that God has the plan for me and if this is what God has planned then I will be fine.” It’s very clear that Kofi has NOT been intimate with Esi, because THAT little reasoning would have sounded much different! LOL!!! But I get it, my wise and spiritually endowed Son.

I love my children, but it was clear the last time that I was here in Ghana that they were not compatible as mates. But they are very good friends and that was my goal today. To help them to see that they have to resolve issues so that they preserve their friendship. PLUS, You can’t be PISSING OFF my COOK, SON! LOL!!!

“I’m awake, I have worked, and I’ve been blessed. It’s Time to Take Me Home!”

Love family.