During my travels in the south last month, I took Jeny to
Kakum National Park and around the canopy walk on her birthday. This was
another re-visit for me but one I particularly enjoyed for a number of
reasons. We joined a group who had
gathered at the entrance. They were not hard to spot as they wore clothes of
identical fabric. This was an outing from a Catholic community in Kumasi, men,
women and children. They were very excited and most seemed to enjoy the
experience. At the end of the walkway above the trees a photographer captures
each person’s image and you can view them and buy one back at the visitors’
centre.
When we arrived the queue of these identically clad visitors
was significant and we watched them with interest. They all bought their photo,
unsurprisingly, as I imagine most Ghanaians don’t have many pictures of
themselves. As it got to our turn to view the images, a woman turned to Jeny
and said, “The mother of this small girl only gave her 1 Cedi, so we told the
man you will pay the rest!” “The rest” was another 1.50 Cedi. She walked away
so quickly, and we were so stunned that there was nothing left to do other than
pay it! It is assumed all white people are rich here. Protestations are
useless. We are too well fed and must have money to have got here.
Later on in the week, a small girl came up to us as we left
the “Last Bath” site and, when we enquired, agreed to be
photographed. A smile was too much to ask and only when we had snapped this
shot did she put out her hand and demanded gruffly “1 Cedi”. Quite an entrepreneur! She
could go far but the smile would help. I'm sure good use was made of the fee.
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