Do You Know Me?

October 2, 2010                       

Day 16 – Do you know me?

The Castles always stir up inside of me another one of my missions. To spread the truth about WHO I represent in the BIG PICTURE out here.  Sad to say, but the majority of our peeps don’t know who I am.

We hit it early again today. Headed out to take Jen to Kakum Park.  We had a good laugh with Kofi last night telling stories about his two experiences at the Canopy Walk.  Jen is adventurous, so she is the type that likes challenges that others may be a bit intimidated by.  But you can see that she has a little anxiety.  But Kofi is talking like, “Oh, you will see when we get there…I’ll take good pictures for you…what time are we leaving…” WE?!  “Where are YOU going Son?  You have too much to get done here to be running up the canopy to hang out.” Esi started cracking up.  She said, “Oh Dad, Kofi is annoyed that he can’t go!” and started laughing again. I have noticed that things have shifted for Esi and Kofi.  They have this jousting thing going on. Esi points out Kofi’s weaknesses and Kofi will find ways to state that he is going to ask so and so to find him a Wife so that he can be happy in life. It is the funniest thing when they do it. So Kofi has to eat this one and deal with him not going and his list of tasks to complete with his ‘Jestering Ex’ getting at him in the cut.  LOL!!! It was even funnier when the taxi came and Kofi came all dressed up in my long plaid shorts, tan socks with white nikes and a long MLK Black T-shirt.  He came in while Esi and I were talking about food and asked, “So am I going today or not Dad?”  I looked at him and laughed.  “Don’t you have stuff to get done here, Son?” He smiled and looked down.  Esi laughed and said, “Oh maybe it is because you are dressed like an Old Man.  That’s why you can’t go!” and then started cracking up.  I was ROLLING! TOO FUNNY!  She said, “Dad, he is annoyed…He can’t go!”  I said, “Esi, why?! Have you ever been to Kakum” She said “No.”  Kofi chimes in and said, “Oh, so I will be REMEMBERING what Kakum is like while they are gone. As for you, you will still be thinking about what it must be like.”  WOW!  This is some good stuff yall. But I have to go.  LOL!! TOO FUNNY!

On our way to Kakum, the Driver tells me that he needs to stop for gas.  While Jen and I are talking about politics, I see a laborer nearby working as a carrier of stones for the mason.  He is wearing a T-shirt with a Confederate Flag on the front.  I told Jen to look over. “That’s what I’m talking about. Anything from America is GOOD.”  This scene reminded me of when we took our first ride in the taxi from the airport in Accra to Elmina back in 1997. The inside of the Taxi Driver’s car was plastered with USA flags. Small U.S. flags blowing, U.S. decals, U.S. air fresheners, U.S.A EVERYWHERE! AKWAABA…Welcome to Ghana?

So we pull up to the entrance gate at Kakum and someone says, “Kojo Bey is that you?” I looked and it was Josh. The Brother of the Groom who’s wedding we drummed at in Litchfield, CT before I traveled to Ghana. He told me that he would be coming to Ghana to run a marathon. He is currently assigned to Mali with the Peace Corp and I met his parents at one of my drum circles in Woodbury, CT.  He called me the other day and told me that he was in Cape Coast and wanted to make it out our way to Brenu to stay for a few days.  He told me that I would hear from him by Monday.  Today is Saturday and he asked me if they could come to Ocean Breeze tomorrow afternoon.  Cool…Full Occupancy at Ocean Breeze!  LOL! Everyone sing: “It’s a small world after all; it’s a small world…” 

We talked to them for sometime before the tour started and it turns out that 3 of Josh’s friends that he is with from the Peace Corp in Mali that we just met are from Seattle where Jen lives.  They all attended the Univ of Washington and one of them was in Jen’s Undergraduate program. Just different years.  Very funny.  I told yall to sing with me!  So, that was a nice exchange between them.  It was time now for the tour.  Jen was more open about her relationships now after I told her about the side effects of the Malaria meds for men.  She laughed and said, “OH MY GOODNESS, you just lifted a crazy weight off of my shoulders that I have been carrying around for some time.  He made me think it was because I wasn’t really giving him any during our trip.”  I laughed. I told her that wet dreams were a side effect for men that take that drug. LOL!  She talked about her current Boyfriend and broke out pictures of him and her cat on her camera.  I guess maybe last night’s photo sharing opened up

something…hmmmm.

 

Jen breezed through the Canopy Walk.  No problem for her. In fact, she enjoyed it VERY much.  It was good to see how much fun she was having out there with the other folks that weren’t so at ease and was also experiencing it for the first time.
We headed right back to OB because I have a meeting with our Board Members here and the OYC Supervisors (they like Supervisor better than Project Director).  I communicated with the family a bit and went out to check on the status of the clearing of the ‘forest’ for our Pineapple garden.  While I was out there, I caught a vibe.  I remember when I was first excited about the POSSIBILITIES of getting land in Africa. Then it progressed to the potential to get beachfront land.  I can still remember the images that would conjure up in my head as to what it would look like and how the village would receive me.  As I look at the beach and back at Ocean Breeze, I can truly say that “You did a DIVINE JOB, MOST HIGH!”

Our meeting was about to start, so I went up to get prepared.  Everyone could not make it, but it was alright.  It was me, Kofi-Board Member/Secretary, Papa Mensah-Board Member, Julius, OYC Supervisor for Akwanda, and Mr. Charles Amissah, OYC Supervisor for Mpeasem.  We had a very good meeting and they all gave some very good input. It was the type of excitement that I experienced when I first sat down and met with Sis. Esther about OYC at Brenu.  The highlight of the meeting came almost at the closing when Mr. Amissah changed over to Fante and talked to Kofi about protocol when we arrive to meet with the Chief and Elders at his village tomorrow.  I knew what he was saying because I knew the context in which we were speaking.  It wasn’t until later that Papa Mensah brought us back to what Mr. Amissah said.  He told me that Mr. Amissah wants to make sure that we are ready to bring the schnapps for…I cut him off and did the cut your throat sign. They all looked at me like, what is wrong with this man.  I told them that I’m done with the European Liquor thing in Ghana. No more schnapps for me.  So, they went on about tradition and custom and I let them speak. I then explained that I know their history AND I know mine from the west.  “I know a very important story about all of you Fantes here on the coast and your relationship with Europeans.” I told them. “And that liquor thing does not bring up good feelings inside of any of us that knows history.”  The Elder, Mr. Amissah, looked at me with a face like does this guy know that he is offending our tradition and about to offend my Chief and Elders. I know that’s what’s running through his head. So Julius, a well educated teacher at the JSS chool in Brenu and one of our OYC Teachers chimes in with more talk about custom, respect and tradition. I listened and then told them to sit back and let me tell you a quick story.  I told them that “You don’t know what happened when our ancestors boarded those ships and left these shores. I DO.  They went to islands like Jamaica and worked as slaves in sugar cane fields. Do you know what they make from sugar cane? Molasses. From the Molasses they made Rum in America. From America, rum was sent to Europe and straight to West Africa to trade Rum for African Slaves.  The Africans were brought to the islands to do what? Right, work in sugar cane fields. To make what? Right, Molasses. To then make what? Right, Rum. To go trade for what?  Right, OUR ANCESTORS. So, who does that make ME?  EXACLTY!  One of the returning descendants of that wicked trading process.  Now do you think I would really want to make an offering of LIQUOR, knowing the history?  And you need to stop saying that is your custom and tradition, because that was not started by an African!”  Julius, my Man, said “In fact Mr. Kojo, I have learned much today. I think that we all have learned much. So I propose that we offer something else because our Elders will expect something until they are properly educated.” I agreed.  “Like what, Julius?” He came out with, “Money.” I said, “Alright, so I am going to pay you so that I can help your children and village?”  It stumped him and he had to pull THAT one back as well.  I offered up a suggestion of some refreshments and biscuits.  They all agreed that would be fine and we were good now.  Later on after dinner, I found myself telling Jen the same story and the role that Rhode Island played in that.  She was so stunned that she never even heard about that.  I told her that a lot of us haven’t heard it.  That’s why me and my peeps do what we do. Then I went on for about an hour about what I experienced at New Milford High School and Schgaticoke MS.  She was BLOWN AWAY.  She said, “Kojo, you never told me about that stuff while we were there!”  I said, “The writing was on the wall…LITERALLY! And on the tables and lockers and KKK costumes during Halloween.  Why would I need to TELL anyone? It was in plain view.  Maybe we see what we want to see and can’t see what doesn’t matter to us.”  It was a good session. She spoke to me about some of her experiences with her family when I left NM. It was good to hear how she developed from who I remember when I was there up to who I see in my yard today.  She’s still like Little Jen to me though.

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

Love Family.

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