It all started when I arrived at Kotoka International Airport in Accra. The airport had been renovated and re-organized. I had not seen a single elevator or travolator in the six times I had used the airport before. Now, there were at least six elevators and eight travolators. I took this as a sign that everything was going well in the country.
But, then, something almost spoiled my good feeling. The immigration officers, who are supposed to represent the culture and behavior of the country since they are the first one meets upon entering the country, were unprofessional. They were very slow in attending to travelers. It was clear that Africa lacks behind Europe in many areas. I asked one lady in the queue if that is how they always work. She replied angrily, `They should all be sacked.'
Since I arrived in the night, I could not see much of Accra. I took a walk the following morning and it was as I would expect of a capital city of any country. People were rushing to their work places and the city was alive. Before I left for my studies abroad, all the public transportation systems were broken down. I could not believe it when I saw yellow buses zipping around. I also saw the icon of London: double-decker buses. The driver still sits at the right side, but the doors to the bus have been changed. It was funny to see them in Ghana.
I knew there had been a change of government two years earlier, but I did not think that two years of an African government could make that much difference. I was proved wrong. The citizens seemed happy and confident as they went about their daily lives, even though the economy was not at its best.
I finally reached my hometown of Sunyani, about 400 km north of the nation's capital. It was here that I had a bad experience. I went around greeting relatives and friends from school days, as the custom demands. Almost all my former schoolmates who could not continue their education for one reason or another had gotten married and had children. Getting married and having children are not bad initiatives at all, but the age at which they had was what worried me a bit. On average they were 22 or 23 years. I could not believe my eyes. I asked one who was close to me during our elementary school days, `Why are all of you married and having children?' He replied, `We don't not have anything else to do. There are no jobs around in our area.' It was pity to see able and energetic youth lying idle.
All in all, my first four-week return to my mother land was, all in all, a good one. Now it has been two years since that visit. I would like to go back to see if the developmental and social changes I encountered are still ongoing.
It is always exciting to go back to one's country of birth after a long absence. For those UTers going home for Christmas, have fun and keep your eyes open for changes.
