FROM LONDON TO ACCRA
In September 2011 I took part in Miss Ghana UK. It was a random decision and I guess the main reason I did it was to develop my confidence. I put my self in an uncomfortable situation, allowing myself to be judged in front of numerous people from the Ghanaian commutity. Trust me, they are a tough crowd and it was scary! Anyway...for my talent piece I wrote and performed a poem whilst Zara (one of the other contestants) danced ballet! It goes goes better with the music we used but have a read!
I feel a sudden emptiness when I depart the plane and meet London.
Confusion, mixed with fear, happiness which is overtaken but sadness.
The sudden longing of my home town appears with force, I find myself in tears longing for the
Sunshine in the sky and the smiling sun that appears on familiar and unfamiliar faces.
Where do I belong? Me sr3wo don’t get me wrong,
Ti me,
London to me is home but not,
A diverse mix, an international melting pot.
I am still in awe...the buzz of the city, the flashing lights, the fumes, angry sounds,
Buses and taxi’s to get excited people up and around.
A familiar comfort zone, London is like a warm blanket to me...
Whether I’m blue, or terrified, ecstatic or Complete
The optimistic city echoing the American dream,
Landmarks and buildings rocketing towards the sky,
Hmmm abrokyrie a place where people supposedly fly high?
So Me busa why is it I feel like something is wrong?
I take my 4 week journey . Swap what I know for bright colours, unfamiliar harsh sounds
Night creatures and different languages.
I’m here Akwaaba... landing in that humid happy mixture of heat and aggression,
Dozens of faces, each eager to offer you a hand,
my trust in anyone is limited, not even cedi will guarantee me a genuine friend.
The red dust of the sand chokes me as I enter the dusty trotro, oh how I miss the sturdiness of Tar on greater London
roads.
Bump and Jump, rock and slide, like a tidal wave passengers move from side to side.
Pushing and suffocating me, my personal space disappears,
Eager sellers, it’s enough. I don’t want ice water, or kwadu and nktia. Jai me!
I am frustrated.
I am Tired
I am homesick, strangely missing bus 86
Face to face I see my Abusuafo, twi for family,
The strong hold of any Ghanaian community.
The joy, the laughter, the tears, the pain, although we are separated we become close again.
Me Nana’s strength, courage sense, sympathy and support, reminds me of the things my I had been taught.
Shes blessed.
Serwaa prepares the fufu and the steady boom boom boom of the woma, makes me think.
The complexity of a meal, just to be consumed by hungry mouths in less than 15 minutes.
Admiration of her patience, love and skill
Children, jumping with happiness, innocent in their small joy.
No Xbox, Ipad or I this,
The simple joy is in playing ampee, oware or Ludo.
From family to food, food from market
Tesco ,Asda or Lidl aint got nothing on Kejetia Market.
Strong women stand tall, I admire the strength the load on their heads, the akolone on her back.
The rays of the sun lash the traders, the buyers, us all
Its crowded, its loud, its hot....its Ghana
I guess its a game, survival of the fittest
I smile its lively, its energetic, its where I’m from
Can I say its here where I belong?
From Kejetia Market to Asantehene palace...
A place so rich and full of history and culture.
Eager to learn, to discover where i’m from.
Tales of the British empire, Yaa Asantewaa and Osei Tutu
Now thats something we are not taught in sukuu
Pride, interest, discovery of something new.
The gold, the kente, the guns are all clues
Of a great place I, yes me am from.
I guess, I’m torn in between both parts, maybe slightly drawn to one more than the other.
I will always be a Ghanaian but not always be a Londoner?
God can take me anywhere but it is my blood remains the same.
Why is it that in Ghana I miss home but When I’m home I miss Ghana.
The cultural opposites of the two leads me to question where it is a I belong?
Its so different, can I say im confused?
God Save the Queen or God Bless our homeland Ghana?
Should I choose between me and you?
Or should I just learn to embrace the two
© Jennifer Amankwa September 2011
