Just got back from Ghana….

Hello all,

I trust you are all keeping well! I’m in high spirits as I write this email to you – which is surprising as usually when I get back from Ghana – the grey skies of our beautiful city usually bring me spiralling back down from the highs enjoyed in Ghana!

However this time is different – I’m back in London and after my short two week stay in Accra - I am still filled with the buzz that I felt when I touched down at Kotoka International Airport.

During my stay I visited some of the poorest areas of Accra as well as some of it’s most expensive landmarks and although the disparity between the two more than saddened me - for the first time in my life I really felt that I had the opportunity to make a change – which (I’ve been told) is the first step on the road to making a difference!

Ghana has the same problems as any other country around the world (UK included) – however the advantage that Ghana does have – is us – the Diaspora. We are a dormant force which is slowly being awakened to the opportunities that are all over the country – whether it be charitable and community initiatives to help the many living below the poverty line – or if it is at the other end of the scale in many of Ghana’s booming industries such as telecommunications.

So why do I feel like this? Allow me to tell you a story…

Anyone travelling to Ghana will tell you – it’s a good idea to get a driver as moving around Accra can become more than costly in a taxi! However such was the case that my Brother and I found ourselves in Accra without a driver – which was fine as we saw it as an opportunity to brush up on our Ga and also our haggling skills! On one occasion we hailed a cab and asked him how much it would be to Accra Mall the cab driver smiled and quoted 15 Ghana cedis – the actual fare was probably closer to 5! So we commenced in our haggling – and I must admit, I did get quite emotional - although I understand why he quoted that price – I hate it when I know someone is openly trying to take money out of my pocket – so as our discussion became heated, a passer by got involved – and also said that the fare was to much – and then the driver, now vexed at this intervention replied to the passer by in Ga “Don’t you know that we eat from strangers?” – the passer by looked at the driver, smiled and simply replied – “The problem is they are not strangers”.

For me this was the re- affirmation needed that as much as I was born in the UK – I am Ghanaian and therefore have a duty to help build Ghana as well. I hope you all will join me and the rest of the GBSN on this journey.

The 2nd Annual Ghana Business & Investment Exhibition 2009

Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Town Hall Approach Road,

Tottenham Green, N15 4RX |11am – 6pm Saturday 19th September 2009 Tickets on sale now at http://www.thegbsn.com