It’s been a while since I journeyed over to Tro Tro street. Evelyn knows this, and greets me in kind. Long time! How are you? All good? Yes, good to see you! I do my business and exchange cedis with her. She’s always happy to see her customers. And we’re happy to see her. I’m …
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where there’s a wheel
Cart one wobbles by. Empty, the operator imagining a load he’s yet to find. Cart two follows. Centimeter-thick metal wire interlaced on top. Scraps or treasures, depending on your preference, destined to find repurpose. Three men accompany these wheels. Trousers, and untucked sweaty tee-shirts, they are working today. I wonder about their destination, where the …
Student Led
Sometimes it feels like I’m the only one running this race The sunlight trickles in as the ceiling fan keeps things moving D leans her ear into the crook of her elbow as she retells her story A and mum spar playfully, not sure which piece to feature S and mum are quiet. Too quiet …
quiet
Accra is a city of sound Singing, always beautiful. Lively conversations. Shouting, always good natured. Calls to prayer carry the wind. Taxis beep, into forever. Music wins. Tropical, so the birds have their say. They fill the void both early in the morning and at dusk, reminding us it’s time to get moving. And time …
heroic
The yellow kickball sits, tantalizingly close to the Four Square court, yet just out of reach. It teases the 9-year olds as they try to somehow coax it down. The red corrugated roof flashes heat, each indentation creating a perfect track for just such a ball, and, perfectly spaced places for it to get stuck. …
dive bombers
ksssssssssht ksssssssht ksssssssht kssssssssht ksssssssssht ksssssssht ksssssssht kssssssssht The sprinklers are melodic and consistent, beating a rhythm and keeping time as the afternoon sun passes overhead. We’re at the field, launching bottle rockets. And we have company. 4.41 seconds I shout to Rhino after the launch and subsequent grounding of his San Pellegrino bottle, decked …
stars
Tonight it’s just me and Rhino We’ve had tension lately. A couple missteps and disagreements, for me, and him. He, soon to be a teenager and all. And me, getting older, being Papa and all. So we needed this tonight. Just me, him And 35,000 friends. My friends! Ete sen? E ye Wo din de …
old meets new
white maaaaaan The sunglass vendor slides me an easy smile and holds in his hand three different styles. I’ll give you a very good price I shake my head, smile, and move along. No sale today. Although I could probably use a pair of sunglasses. It’s bright today. I’m wandering Oxford Street, in Osu. The …
Today’s Solutions
The six men, uniform in blue coveralls, get to work. The sound of their makeshift brooms is the only noise on the playground. It’s a welcome quiet, punctuated by gentle rhythm, sneaking its way in after the boom of the rain. When rain comes to Accra, it arrives suddenly, barges through without hesitation. A deluge …
coming and going
Au revoir, a demain! C’est La Semaine de la Francophonie, so our farewell today is, naturellement, en Francais. 19 quick fist bumps, and it’s time to go. It’s breezy today. The wind funnels down the lane as we join the scores of kids meandering towards pickup. But it’s more than just a simple transfer. This …
Get Up Eight 