I started following his posts on Facebook just around July last year and, if I recollect properly, we met on a thread where he made a comment on a comment on mine. I was like wow, did he just do that?! I reached out to send a friend request and he accepted. That was 21 August 2013. I quickly sent a message via his inbox to say thanks. Since then, I have followed his line of thoughts and intense engagement on FB with much interest and respect. From afar, I said to myself that this was a man I would really love to meet. In the fourth quarter of last year, I reached again via his inbox to market my book I Speak of Ghana and he was full of support and encouragement. Last week, I was going to be in Accra for the weekend, and I asked whether he was still around after his recent presentation. I thought he had returned to his usual base. He indicated that he was still around and we should chat on Friday to see if we could meet. Finally. On Friday 5th September, I was rudely reminded that dumsor was still a legal tender; my phone went off the entire day and when I got the electricity back, I quickly sent a message to apologise for not getting in touch, using the well-worn phrase to explain why: circumstances beyond my control. He then gave me a surprise: an invitation to his home for a dinner for a few friends of his. Woooow! Saturday 6th, I had an unforgettable evening with Prof H Kwasi Prempeh who hosted me, Kathleen Addy, Kofi Brobbey, Agnes Adu, H.e. Olga Vladimir-Boshovoi Phd and Evron Hughes. I arrived just after 6pm and as we waited for the rest to join us, Prof and I spent an refreshing time in his study and by his wall of words discussing history, antique books, culture, Ghana and even Wasa - yes, he has some Wasa roots. Explains a lot! One of the many insights gleaned in that room is the trove that exists on a site - abebooks - and the fact that there are some great books out there that capture our history well. On Ghana, and as we went through the historical literature, we both wondered why our past was so bright and why we have not improved on the great foundation we had. For instance, a publication on the 10 years of the CPP from 1951 to 1960 showed pictures of mobile libraries that took books to children in the hitherland, books they could borrow and return on the next trip of the vans. Even our library infrastructure is gone now. Then the rest of the folks joined and what conversation! What laughter! What good food! I was meeting all of them for the first time, but it even didnt show. I paid homage to my mentor, the Chief Mischief Officer (CMO), Evron Hughes. Olga conducted the conversation with such deep insights from life (Olga, check my classification? *wink*). Kathleen, Agnes, Prof, Kofi - too much to recollect from the evening. Many thanks for giving me one of my memorable evenings in recent times, and, yes, we must do it again! Finally, Prof, I believe it is just right to serve notice that I have become your mentee by force! Just take note!
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 17:50:30 +0000