Dr. Emmanuel Debrah gave an overview of politics in Ghana, beginning primarily with Kwame Nkrumah and political independence in 1957. The country became a free nation in 1960, where Nkrumah was elected as the first president and led the Convention People's Party. He governed until 1966, until a military coup, funded by the CIA, overthrew him. Nkrumah was radical and a socialist, and connected to Eastern governance, and so naturally, the United States funded his downfall.
Ghana has a history of coups. Jerry Rawlings' coup of 1979 was of the most substantial. He was already in power when he ran and won the presidency in 1992, under the National Democratic Congress (just a subsidiary of his previous regime) and served as head of state until 2001. During his presidency, he borrowed lot's of money and Ghana became seriously indebted. Ghana is preparing for a presidential election this November.
The second lecture was absolute fascinating, conducted by a sociologist on traditional medicine. Kodjo Senah went in-depth into the 3 recognizable healing systems in Ghana: allopathetic or bio-medicine, which constitutes hospitals, clinics and Western medicine, indigenous healing facilities, and asiatic or natural healing systems.
He spoke of Ghana's health problems. Infant mortality is very high and 1 out of 10 babies die before the age of 5. In rural areas, only 40% have access to good drinking water and 30% to functioning toilet facilities. The doctor patient ratio is 1 : 13,000. The average age in Ghana is 19.
Part of colonization and the promotion of Christianity and Westernization included a systematic attack on local, traditional practices. In 1892, a law was instituted called The Native Customs Regulation Ordinance, which banned traditional healing. The rift between traditional healers and Western doctors is still prevalent in Ghana. And only after independence, were the rights of traditional healers restored. Nkrumah created an association for traditional healers, but when his government was co-opted, the association also came down.
In 1975, the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine was founded and there became a boost of herbal medicine. Even though Christian and elite groups, and medical professionals are still trying to kill indigenous medicine, the government is working to implement herbal medicines into local hospitals. Healers have had increased visibility since the 1980s and many even have billboards advertising their skills.
The final speaker was Ghanaian investigative journalist Anas Amereyaw Anas. Famous for his undercover work for BBC, CNN and Al Jazeera. He walked into the room with his face completely covered and explained that his "anonymity is his secret weapon." He disguises himself in various costumes to enter spaces where corruption or illegal activity is running rampant, and with hidden cameras, he films people in the very illegal act and uses that footage to convict them. He calls it "problem-solving journalism" and it's his way of "dealing with weak institutions." He aims to make meaningful change in society and for the people of his community. He's a trained lawyer, but also a realist and listens to what his community needs.
Anas was tired of hearing the same old stories of Africa, and of Western journalists parachuting in to his communities to capture surface-level stories. He is adamant that Africans must tell their own stories and their own way. He left us by saying, "hopefully one day I won't need to wear this mask."
I made sure I got a selfie with this brave, brave man.
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