Black and white in Ghana

Togo’s neighbour to the west made a thoroughly different development when democracy was claimed in the early nineties. Somehow it was achieved that the upcoming movement wasn’t cracked down on.

Still, especially from the pictures schown below one could think, that it is as much behind (economically, mainly) as Togo is. But don’t let me cheat on you. There is not a single picture from Ghana’s capital Accra, indeed all photos are from the countryside or smaller towns. Till the cebra crossing, the photos originate from Korkrobite and Elmina (fish market) at the Atlantic coast. The other photos are from Bolga(tanga) which is the most northern town of the country.

Compare the two capitals Accra and Lomé, and you can guess how different the development in the past 20 years was. Since Ghana became more democratic and was caressed from the west for that, Faure Eyadéma was never recognised by western countries and left alone in terms of development aid and trade. When you walk along the streets in Accra, it feels not so much different than if you are in a european town. Not to many locals passing by, mostly clean and divided in tracks for cars and pedestrians are only the most evident things that you recognise when you come from Togo. Whereas in Lomé streets in the city center are crowded, pedestrian, cars and animals try to make there way in a messy chaos. You have to watch your step to not to disapear in an uncovered gully opening while the market salesmen try to sell you all kind of stuff you don’t want or probably want to buy but can’t care about becaus of all the trouble around you.

Okay, I didn’t want to paint a black’n'white picture here, but apparently I did exactly this. At least take into account the following: There are differences between countries, even between developing countries, also within a country, mainly between the countryside and the big cities. But don’t try to judge about it from a glimpse at it. You will only learn that it is not as black’n'white as you thought unless you allow yourself to have a closer, unbiased look at it.

To not to confuse you too much: I traveled to Togo and Ghana last year, it’s only now, that I put it on the website.