This letter is in response to “Husky completes co-op in Africa,” (Jan. 28). Does this title attract me to the article? Yes, and this would be because of its absurdity.
The article reaffirms certain misconceptions about Africa. First of all, in a culture that thrives on dividing, segregating, or in today’s terms, distinguishing between many things like people, race, class, etc., I am appalled that Africa, the name of the continent in which Ghana is located, is used to attract people to the article. Could it be that some people may not know where Ghana is? Yes, which is unfortunate, especially since we are known for not knowing much about the world.
Africa is a continent, Europe is a continent – but had this article been written about a student who completed a co-op in London, England, U.K, (where I co-oped three years ago) it would have read “Student completes co-op in London.” Every country in Africa is different. There are different languages spoken within a small West African country like Ghana, in which one of them (Ewe) had been misspelled as Ewi in the article. Culture varies, as it does when one travels through Europe. For instance Italy, France and Spain are all European countries with similarities, but they would be distinguished as separate countries. Bottom line folks, invest in learning about the world.
It’s always interesting to read stories on the continent of Africa. They usually pertain to these things: 1. Poverty, 2. The AIDS crisis, 3. Hunger and famine, 4. Tribes and conflict. You never read anything normal such as the fact that hospitality and respect for humanity is embedded within some cultures. Instead, the public has to read about yet another African misfortune. Sure, many countries in Africa are undergoing a great deal of hardships, but don’t we already know this? What about the real Africa, will anyone ever know?
Well, I too traveled to Ghana and other countries in West Africa. My experience is not as “typical” as the student who completed her co-op. I studied abroad this past fall semester at the University of Ghana in Legon. I also was an intern at Ghana’s TV Africa – not to be confused with South Africa’s TV Africa, which is currently no more.
My experience was not of people urinating in the streets and your typical “poverty and such you don’t adjust to.” My experience was amazing. I learned about the tremendous amount of culture in Ghana — its warm and hospitable people, the great and powerful Asante Nation, the horrible slave trade, and the ugly remnants and effects of colonization, which have hindered its growth.
But, you will never really hear about the truth of some African countries, which is why history is so important to know before making assumptions on a country. One can even argue that poverty is one of the results of colonization and Cold War used such as artificial boundaries, divide/conquer tactics, etc. Formally known as the Gold Coast under the British government, Ghana was rich in gold, cocoa, timbre and other natural resources that have been exploited through the process of colonization.
The children of Ghana do not beg on the street. It is a working economy where you will see children as young as 7 vending on the street, not begging. This does not make it right, but they are not begging.
The Korle Bu area is the most extreme area of Accra (the capital of Ghana) affected by pollution. There has been much environmental research and efforts being made to combat the environmental problem. So, the article basically read that the entire continent of Africa is an open gutter and is used as a public restroom. The reason why I know this is because while in Accra, I was working on a documentary on pollution in that specific area. So that is why the continent of Africa is dirty? Is that what the article is trying to imply? The journalist should know that it is wrong to even use Africa interchangeably with Ghana. That is why people have such a distorted view on the continent as a whole, it’s because of these gross generalizations.
Did the reporter travel to Ghana, or did she travel the entire continent? I couldn’t even experience the whole of West Africa, limiting it to Togo, Cote D’Ivoire (which are Ghana’s neighboring countries) and Benin Republic. It is my hope that we will use this opportunity to learn and write more appropriately about Africa, and in this case, Ghana, one of 54 countries on the continent. Thank you.
— Woodlene Alexis is a senior communication studies major.
