Ghanaian crazes

For my last blog from Ghana I wanted to talk about some things Ghanaians are crazy about

Phones: If you come here, you're first taken aback by the poverty. People live in small shacks or small two bedroom homes. Yet EVERYBODY has a phone. At least everybody over the age of 15.Phones can be bought everywhere. Here you just buy a chip put it in the phone then you buy minutes. Those little stands are absolutely everywhere. In cities at least 2 meters. People on the road sell them. Everybody wants your phone number. It’s so strange in a way. Money spent on phones could be used for something else, especially food and school.

Facebook: Very few people have computers at home but they all know facebook. Whenever you go to an internet café you can be sure that half of the room will be on facebook. Because I’m a foreigner they obviously want to add me as their friend...

Football: The African Football (or Soccer for the American readers here) Cup is currently taking place. Ghana actually did pretty well. Better than in previous years so Ghanaians were very excited and proud. Most people don’t own a TV so people go to each others houses or to the bar. They watch TV from the outside so every time Ghana would score a goal you would hear a roar. Cars honking, people running in the streets. Men, women, kids…They are very proud of their team. Yesterday, Ghana arrived pretty far and was playing against Egypt. A lot of Ghanaians were sporting Ghana t-shirts, headbands and flags. It’s great to see. Life is not easy here. Not many people are proud of their politicians or current situation. They are proud of the people who fought for independence, are proud to have gained independence before other African nations but these things are difficult so football makes them happy.

Obama: Obama is still in his honeymoon period here. You can find the usual Obama t-shirts, posters, paintings etc but I’ve seen Obama jeans, Obama schools, Obama clocks, and everybody here loves the Obama cookies (when I get back, I’ll show you what they look like). Here, like for many Black people in the US, Obama represents hope. If one Black man can become president of the United States then no kid here can say things are impossible or that he can't fulfill his dreams. Obama like Mandela are symbols of hope for many kids.Even a 4 year old knows who he is.

Religion: Religion is always present. Church takes place in the open or inside but with all windows open. There are church services every day, especially at night during the week and then on Sunday mornings. Priests hop onto tro-tros and buses to pray for us or have a little service. Then everybody prays that we arrive to our destination alive (seeing how people drive here, I understand them)

Also, music is central in Ghana. But only rnb, gospel and hip hop. They know Rihanna and Jay-Z but have no clue who the Beatles are. Go figure.