Cross-Cultural Orientation

Jim and I recently finished an excellent one-week orientation course at the Tamale institute of Cross-Cultural Studies (TICCS). This organization was founded by Dr. Jon Kirby, who is a respected anthropologist and a Catholic priest of the Society of the Divine Word. We were twelve participants in all - represented by Norway, Japan, the Congo, Kenya, India, South Africa, the Netherlands, Canada and the U.S. We ate and slept on the grounds of this unique facility and began friendships that will hopefully be nourished well into the future.
In addition to interesting lectures on topics concerning politics, tribal chiefs, economics, health, kinship, religious beliefs and language, we visited a Diviner, a local chief, various tradesmen, and a clinic run by a remarkable Ghanaian physician, Dr. David Abdulai, who ministers to the poor free of any charge. One night we ate fu-fu on the compound of a local village and were warmly welcomed by both elders and children alike. On our last evening, we watched a performance of the Choggu Dance Troupe & had a lot of fun with audience participation. Jim even filmed me "in motion" thoroughly enjoying learning the "moves" of the African steps. This was followed by a fantastic Ghanaian buffet in the garden with a variety of over thirty specially prepared dishes.
The course was extremely beneficial and demonstrated how many Ghanaians who welcome modern development still have one foot firmly entrenched in the traditions of the past.