Kuapa Kokoo

En route to Kumasi.  The landscape
is more verdant as you go north.

Stephen and I took a short flight yesterday to Ghana's second city, Kumasi, in the Ashanti region.  Our day didn't quite work as planned as we left too late for the airport and missed our lunchtime flight, so we only arrived in the early evening with just time for a light evening meal.

Stephen is very much at home here as he was born in this region where his family were cocoa farmers, which moves me nicely on to the business of the day.

Amankwatia project

 We spent most of the day in a meeting with representatives from Kuapa Kokoo, the largest cocoa cooperative in Ghana.   They are fair trade certified and work to improve the well-being of their members, who number well in excess of 80,000 individuals spread across about 1250 community groups.  The organisation is run democratically with elections to coordinating groups at local, area and national level.  Those of you in the UK (and possibly the US) may be familiar with the 'Divine' brand of chocolate which is own by Kuapa Kokoo.

(L to R)
Samuel (representative from Amankwatia)
Esther (Communications Officer, Kuapa Kokoo)
Stephen Appiah

There was a lot of ground to cover during the meeting, for which and we were joined (via Skype) by Derek and Joan Pike also from Wesley Methodist Church in Reading whose inspiration has got the project thus far.

The plan is to provide a replacement borehole for the fresh water supply for Amankwatia and also to build a second 8 cubicle sanitation bleock to improve the village's communal facilities.

The key points were covered successfully today, but your prayers would be welcome as this project gets up and running for real.  Talking of prayers, this was the first time I have led prayers at the start and conclusion of a business meeting.  This is quite common practice here, strengthening my impressions from my time in Winneba, that Ghanaians visibly involve their faith in all aspects of day-to-day activities.

Esther joined us with her family for our evening meal together with Kofi Marfo, a former member of Wesley Methodist Church, who is going to represent Wesley on the project meetings as the work progresses.

We are off to visit members of Stephen's family tomorrow morning, then travel to see the Methodist Superintendent minister whose area covers Amankwatia.  We will worship there on Sunday morning before travelling back to Accra on Monday.

 

Homeward bound?

I was able to talk to Sandy, Maddy and Faith via Skype last night (thanks to the effective 3G coverage here) so my own thoughts are beginning to turn homeward bound now.  As I opened the final packet of antimalarial tablets this morning, it suddenly felt like a long time since I was at home and it will be good to see everyone again for real.  I will only have two nights at home as I have a study weekend with my fellow STETS students in Bristol; it will also be good to hear how everyone else's placements are progressing.