Ghana - Tuskegee Travels: Day Seventeen

Our last day in Ghana began with omelets and toast at the restaurant in the hotel. Joey had his usual instant coffee, I had tea and we said farewell to Steve – the waiter who’s taken care of us the last two and a half weeks. He didn’t smile much but he brought us food in the “office” so we could watch the World Cup and knocked the occasional stray bug off the table in the dining room.

Charles came to get us right after Joey shared some ideas with the hotel manager on how to iron out some kinks regarding our stay and ways to bolster hotel services. Morris (the manager and son of the owner) was glad for the feedback. The hotel is great and perfectly located and the chicken and rice was delicious. Joey’s writing about the hotel so check back in for more on that.

The students were all set and waiting for the graduating class when we arrived at school. Eight students graduated this year, their largest class yet. Greenie brought gifts for all of the graduates: scientific calculators, school supplies, graduation necklaces and absolutely wonderful t-shirts that read: Tuskegee International Graduating Class of 2010. Charles was so moved; when he sat down next to me he was looking at Greenie talking with the students and said, “She is truly something Madam Greenie, isn’t she?” Isn’t she though.

Nursery rabbits singing and dancing for the graduates

The first presentation following some poems recited by students was a cultural dance that had “men” working in the field watching a pretty girl by the river. They danced for her and then fought. Enter more girls and they all partnered up.

They were dressed beautifully and two teachers and a student played the drums. The four boys and girls could not have been a more diverse range of ages and heights. The last couple was a thirteen year old girl about 5’4 and an 8 year old boy about 4’2. She basically picked him up as they danced out of the courtyard.

The graduation included a dramatic performance starring students and written by Eugene, the Class 5 teacher, warning the students to listen to their parents, obey teachers and stay away from the trouble-makers lest you fall into bad circumstances. One scene had students listing series of excuses for failing to bring in homework. My favorite: “Excuse Madam, if it is not on the desk it is because the goat ate it.”

There was a beautiful dance with two lead dancers and a back up dance group in green shirts. Gideon from Form 1 is the lead male. It was an elegant and spiritual dance.

Another dance was choreographed by Eugene and was really fantastic. You can see Eugene at the front. I tried to learn a few of the moves later but that was….unsuccessful.

The graduates were announced and celebrated and then they sang a song and thanked Tuskegee and, in particular, Charles and Madam Greenie. Joey gave out certificates to the eight students who had completed woodworking training and gave Benjamin (the design teacher) a certificate for being a master teacher. It was great and all of the students were so happy. Charles gave a lovely closing speech and when he opened the gift from the Form 3 students it was a picture of an eagle. Charles said, “This is appropriate. The eagle is the symbol of Ghana and the United States. It soars high. Like you. Soar high.”

Grace, from Form 1, gave the closing prayer (called the Vote of Thanks) and then Emcee Nicholas announced the conclusion. A dance party of unparalleled energy and enthusiasm ensued. We were all dancing in the hot, hot sun. I had a veritable warren of rabbits from nursery bouncing at my feet. Joey and Greenie were rocking! It was absolutely fantastic and we all agreed - we need to do something to get Parker students dancing at school dances. It was such a….joyous time. Joyous is a strong word and that’s really what it was.