Bank of Ghana Governor, Dr. Kwasi Amissah-Arthur Named Vice President of Ghana

So on the day Ghana honors President Mills' "One Week" national mourning, a Vice President is announced and he is none other than the Governor of Bank of Ghana, Dr. Kwasi Amissah-Arthur. The Daily Guide has a bit of something about the story here.

Ghana Honors President Mills' Death With "One Week" National Mourning

The world has grieved with Ghana this past week after our sitting President was pronounced dead at the 37 Military hospital in Accra on July 24, 2012. It's not clear what killed him as no official reports have surfaced but it is of common knowledge, though never publicly admitted, that the president was suffering from throat cancer. And today, according to tradition with mourning of the dead, Ghana will honor John Evans Atta Mills on his "one week."

This has all been an experience for me. The excitement that came with voting for the first time in Ghana was something else. The process of really studying each political party to carefully align with or identify with one that speaks to my political ideologies has been exciting. I've been patiently waiting, while itching for December 7th, to cast my vote for whomever deserves it and is able to win it - I'm not affiliated with any one party. I guess I can be labeled as a swinger/independent. But, I must say, the death of the president has really shaken me and somehow I'm grateful I could be home, in Ghana, to experience it for myself. You can read my coverage of it for Global Voices here. 

I'll be updating this post throughout the day to reflect what's happening on this "One Week" day of mourning for the nation. This morning, Accra residents are visibly mourning. Some have tied their heads or wrists with red strips of cloth symbolic of a mourning state in the Ghanaian culture. Some commercial vehicles and private ones have tied these strips of cloth to their cars to indicate bereavement. See image below.

A taxi driver on the Avenor road leading to the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra ties his red strip of cloth on his side mirror in honor of President Mills' "One Week" national mourning.

 And some private homes are showing support to the president's family with the display below.
 

A private house displays an image of the ex-president and cloths in traditional mourning colors to mark the national "One Week" mourning.

  

Coverage of the Death of Ghana's President, John Evans Atta Mills

On July 24, 2012, Ghana experienced something tragic: A sitting President died. And it is an election year. The atmosphere in Parliament, televised by Ghana Television (GTV), was that of shock and sadness as Members of Parliament displayed deeply saddened faces. By 8pm, the Vice President John Dramani Mahama was sworn in as President of the Republic of Ghana.

But four hours prior to this, just after the news had broken, Ghanaians took to Twitter to express their shock and sadness. Tweets of the President’s death hit the social media site before many of the media houses officially confirmed it.

Myjoyonline.com revised its abbreviated report published immediately after the death announcement with a much detailed one and a fitting image that symbolized the president’s departure hours later:
(read full piece of my coverage on Global Voices)

Jewels From Nairobi, Kenya

Greetings from the East!! And by this I mean Nairobi, Kenya. I'm having a blast at the 2012 Global Voices Citizen Media Summit! I promise a post about the actual summit is coming soon. I just couldn't help sending a bit of a teaser! It's only day 2 and yet it feels like a week!

First of all, I should say that I've been really impressed with some things in Kenya - the architecture in the city and if I'm not mistaken, the preservation of some greenery, are features to talk about - well, in comparison to Ghana, of course. I haven't been able to take any pictures of buildings due to security reasons - Kenya is on high security alert due to the Mombasa bombing and currently frowns upon tourists taking pictures of buildings.  

But, I have some shots. I went to the Masai market, one of the most famous markets in Kenya, with other GVers and we had a blast shopping and bargaining with vendors. Kenya's fashionable handicrafts are amazing! The bead necklaces, earrings, scarves, purses, whoa! You can munch on these images for the time being. More posts coming!

GHANA IN PICTURES - KUMASI

So earlier this month I went on a trip (work-related) to Kumasi, making it my third visit there since I've lived in Ghana, and I thought whoa, I have to take advantage of this place. Kumasi really feels like a whole other kind of Ghana by itself. I mean folks there have created their own sort of entertainment that speaks to them - they make their own movies that they seem to enjoy very much; there are entertainment centers and cool restaurants and bars to spice up the night life. And I must add, people in Kumasi seem to love to have fun! There are some really beautiful historic areas that I wished I had gotten the chance to see, but hopefully that can be done on my next trip. I was fortunate, though, to get to explore the Kumasi Cultural Centre for a bit and on my way back I took some pictures of the infamous Nkawkaw market - I loved it!

Kumasi Cultural Centre

Ashanti men playing musical instrument in a beautiful art piece built into a wall at the Cultural Centre

Prempeh II Jubilee Museum @ the Cultural Centre

Nkawkaw Market - where the best bread is sold - located close to Kumasi

Good Reads for the New Year - My Picks

So I read this inspiring book by Hugh MacLeod about creativity, originality, balance and doing something that matters entitled "Ignore Everybody - And 39 Other Keys to Creativity" and I thought it would be selfish to keep it to myself. I wanted to share it here especially since I can't afford to buy it for every creative person I know! Since I'm sharing books with you, via recommendation, I thought why not include three of my favorite books - totally good! Here ya go!

 By the talented Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Read my review of the book in Obaasema magazine.  It's a historical fiction...my favorite kind of book! You're fed with information about a major historical event that affected the lives of many in Nigeria. The writer does an incredible job of giving life to her characters, which makes the story feel even more real. A must read! 

Ahhh Simon Montefiore! I actually chanced upon this book last year at a Dollar Store in Philadelphia for...guess how much? One dollar!! And I would've bought it again if it were selling at the original price of $27.00. It's my first read by Montefiore and I'm totally a fan. Another historical fiction...yeah, I gravitate towards these books without thinking! But this one is also good, set from 1916-1994 Russia, the author does a great job of weighing Marxism and Capitalism through the lives of his characters. I loved it and will definitely read it again.   

Uh-oh, Mr. "Godfather" himself. Although Puzo didn't complete this book before his death - and folks have criticized it for its lack of authenticity and whatnot, I still enjoyed it and appreciated what Puzo attempted to creatively do with this novel. I actually got this book, for free, about six years ago on my way back from a meeting with my journalism professor in school. It was just lying on a shelf without an owner...I asked prof if I could have it and he gave the go ahead. Another historical fiction set in 15th century Rome. I'll read it again.

An Interview I Should've Shared Months Ago

Thought I would share an interview of me conducted some months ago by Global Voices Online author, Steve Sharra. I just recently went back to really read it and realized that I never shared it here! So here ya go! See below:

TOWARDS THE 'IDEAL WOMAN': MEET BLOGGER AND JOURNALIST LINDA ANNAN

GHANA IN PICTURES: Aburi - Bosomase Waterfalls

Aburi mountains is another part of Ghana that screams with natural beauty! It's breezy and offers a great view of towns below and makes for a great location to hike and bike! Below are images shot on a recent hiking trip to the Bosomase waterfalls, about 7 kilometers away from Aburi town.

Driving up the mountain, entering Aburi

A view of the city from the mountains

En route to hiking destination

Hiking path

Yours truly walking behind nephew & tour guide getting close to Bosomase Waterfalls

Bosomase Waterfalls

GHANA IN PICTURES: Central Region - Elmina

So, I've been obsessed with Cape Coast and Elmina since my visit in November 2011. Although the story about my trip (read here) was heavy, I did get to enjoy some of the incredible scenes offered by this central part of Ghana. A sucker for all things nature, I couldn't help but capture these stills on camera.

SUNSET IN ELMINA (Market place around the Elmina slave dungeon)

KIDS PLAYING OFF THE COAST AT ELMINA BEACH OVERLOOKING THE SLAVE DUNGEON

SUNRISE AT ELMINA

MORE SUNSET STILLS FROM RESORT IN ELMINA