We traveled in a tro-tro to a nearby village and from there set out on foot. The hike in featured lots of changing terrain: railroad tracks, rice farms, corn farms, river crossings, and winding trails through dense forest.
Once we reached the farm, we were hit by a rainstorm and took shelter with the neighbouring rice farmer. As we waited out the rain, Paul's older boy asked me to take his photo.
Cocoa is one of the main exports and more lucrative foodstuffs in Ghana. As such, the government manages the exportation of cocoa. As you can see in the two photos below, the cocoa fruit grows right off the trunk of the tree. When it's ripe it turns yellow, and you crack it open to take out the beans. The beans are then carried by labourers from the farm to the village. There they are dried, fermented, and bagged. The bags of dried beans are then sold to a purchasing clerk who, in turn, sells the beans to the government for export.
As we returned to Achiase, the people we passed were amazed and amused that a white man had gone out to the farm. By the time we returned to our neighbourhood, the news had spread that I'd visited the farm and many people had a good laugh and lots to say as we approached.
It was a good adventure and Marina is already set to join us on the next visit.
- Davis
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Loving the blog Davis! Especially the pineapple story. It's amazing how sometimes the simplest things can make us so happy.
ReplyDeleteEnough with the soccer though. You need to introduce the Ghanaians to Krankenblok.
Thanks Nick. You think Krankenblok is ready for international exposure?? I suppose of our hair-brained schemes it's the most developed... I'll give it a try and report back shortly.
ReplyDeleteI'm liking the stories so far Davis keep it up!
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting, Davis. Glad you got to surf with some stoked kids! C
ReplyDeleteongrats as well on the engagement.
My absolute favourite pic is of Paul's older boy. A handsome kid and good composition on your part Daybis.
ReplyDeleteJulie