Closing Ceremonies and Ghana Night

Friday, July 17th.

We got to the Polytechnic by 8:30 and watched as they were setting up the hall for the closing ceremonies. Because it was the final day of Ramadan and the fact that the Muslims had to be home by early afternoon, the scheduled morning program was collapsed and we were to start with the gender skits followed by closing ceremonies. (We had heard that there was a problem between two chiefs in the area and that a few people had been killed. As a result there was a curfew put in place and everyone had to be home). I told Thomas Baafi that there was no room in the hall for the gender equity skits as they had set up chairs right up to the stage, and he said they would have to reorganize it, which they did. Since none of the brass were around and Timothy did not ask us we elected not to do our unrehearsed skit and we just watched as they called up the six classes one at a time to present their skits. They ranged from fair to great with lots of laughter and applause as well. All the skits were based on the premise of young girls not being allowed to go to school. After the skits they reorganized the chairs again and we started closing ceremonies at 10:30. Jacob Anderson spent a half hour (stalling time while we waited for a dignitary) rehearsing all the participants in the singing of O Canada and the Ghana National Anthem. Finally they were ready and we began. It lasted over three hours! It was hot and boring. There were too many speeches and they were too long. Diane's closing speech was brief and well done. After the ceremony the paparazzi was out in full force and we posed for photos. Back to hotel for a bit where I organized my receipts. Then we went for an early dinner. We were in the restaurant by 6:00, ordered by 6:30 and when Eric came to get us at 8:30 I still had not gotten my meal, so I cancelled it and we left. Luckily I had half of Bonnie's fried rice. Ghana night was fairly well attended given that most of the Muslims were home. Ernest was back and DJ-ing as usual. There was a troupe of three drummers and six dancers who put on a great performance. Then there was food and more music, before it ended about ten. One of the participants gave me his Muslim hat because he wanted me to have it and our prefect gave me a bead bracelet.
After everyone left I talked to Thomas Baafi and Ernest about our concern over our bill for the hotel accommodation. Ernest told us he would go to the hotel and sort it out while we went on our safari tomorrow.