IWEEK 2019- GHANA IN THE GLOBAL IMAGINATION

IWEEK 2019- GHANA IN THE GLOBAL IMAGINATION

IPO’s International Week celebration is a long standing tradition strategically organized to bring International students and Ghanaian students together as the office embarks on various educational and entertaining programmes. International Programmes Office organized a week-long celebration themed “Ghana in the Global Imagination” from Monday 25^th February to Saturday 1^st March, 2019. The celebration was open to the entire university community and it gave international students the opportunity to showcase their home traditions and learn more about Ghanaian cultures.

                           

Day One, Monday 25^th February, began with a social event captioned “Disconnect to Reconnect”, which was aimed to get students to abandon their phones for a few hours. Held in the seminar room of the International House, students engaged in conversations about politics, social issues and associated matters. Also on day one, IPO held an Open House for International students. International students were given the opportunity to understudy staff and learn about the various activities at the office. Study Abroad Clinic ran concurrently with the day’s events and continued throughout the week. The clinic aimed to educate University of Ghana students on the various study abroad opportunities IPO offers.

      

Figure 1. Students discussing issues affecting the global environment during “Disconnect to Reconnect”

On Day Two, Tuesday, 26^th February, a glossary of the five Adinkra symbols featured at International House was unveiled in the afternoon.  The symbols are: Gye Nyame, which means except for God, Nkontim meaning loyalty and service, Akofena which is a symbol of courage, valor, and heroism, Biribi wↄ soro which means hope and reliance on God and Akokↄnan which denotes parental nurturing and discipline. In the evening, IPO hosted the promotion of The Mind of Africa, a classic pan-African philosophical book written by Professor William E. Abraham in 1992 and re-issued in 2015 by Sub Saharan Publishers. The event was coordinated by Professor Ama de-Graft Aikins, Dean IPO, Mr Henry Abraham, the son of Prof Abraham and Mrs. Akoss Ofori-Mensah, CEO of Sub Saharan Publishers. Professor Michael Okyerefo, Dean of School of Arts, chaired the event, Dr Richmond Kwesi (Department of Philosophy) reviewed the book and Prof Akosua Adomako Ampofo (immediate past Director of Institute of African Studies) joined the panel to discuss the significance of the book to African development today. The event was attended by UG faculty, students and International collaborators and researchers. 

 

Figure 2 Unveiling of Adinkra symbols at International House

                  

Figure 3 A section of the audience at the book launch

Two activities were organized on Day 3, Wednesday 27^th February: a debate session and a karaoke and charades night. An intellectual debate between Ghanaian and International students on the motion “Google has hindered creative thinking” was held in the morning. The Ghanaian students’ debate team was represented by Ms. Nana Adwoa Opoku-Mensah, Ms. Lois Adjei-Kumi Blankson and Mr Fataw Abdul. Ms. Promise Amor, Mr Ezekiel Ukpabio and Mr Soungalo Ousmane Sanon represented the International students’ debate team. Both teams gave sterling performances as the audience cheered on. At the end of the debate, the teams were both adjudged winners. Karaoke and charades took place later in the evening. The forecourt of International house was filled beyond its capacity for this event. Students enjoyed chilled drinks and popcorn as they cheered all performers who went on stage.
 

Figure 3 Dr Richmond Kwesi giving his final verdict

                   

Figure 2 Doris Kemde and Raquel Payne, two of the Singers during Karaoke Night, posing for the picture

   
     

On Day 4, Thursday, February, 28, 2019 IPO organized outdoor and indoor games for students. There were video games, card games and board games. Some International students tried their hands on Ghanaian indigenous games such as chaskele and oware. Again, the forecourt of International House was filled with students in the evening as two of the new top Hollywood movies were screened.  The movies kept all present glued to their seats while they enjoyed popcorn and drinks.

 

Figure 4 Students engrossed in playing "ludo"

Figure 5 Draught was not left out

       

Day 5, Friday, March 1, was a full day of fun-packed activities. In the morning, students learned about Ghanaian traditional clothing. International students modeled and danced in these costumes to live traditional music. Face painting and Global cuisine took place concurrently. We witnessed a large display of International dishes cooked by students from sixteen (16) countries including Burkina Faso, Mexico, Canada, Britain, Jamaica, USA, Philippines, Ireland, Sierra Leone, Japan, Benin and France. IPO also had a stall that featured Ghanaian foods including ɔfam, ɛtɔ and mpɔtɔmpɔtɔ. There were local drinks including asana, pito and palm wine.  Attendees to the event savored indigenous food from these countries as jazz and afrobeats music played in the carpark.

 

Figure 6 International Students dressed in Akan royal dress

  Figure 7 Students sampling various dishes

        

                     

Figure 8 Asana, Pito and Palm wine were served during the Global Cuisine

                      

The International week celebration ended on Saturday, March 2, 2019 with a blast. Over sixty (60) International and Ghanaian students joined staff of IPO on a fun trip to Ocean Green View beach villas in Prampram, Accra. Everyone who joined on the trip engaged in various activities including football, volleyball, sack racing and swimming competitions. There was excellent food and drinks. At the end of the day, everybody was excited and refreshed.

Figure 9  Some students enjoying some good food after swimming in the ocean

                                        

For more exciting photos of the International Week, visit our social media pages:

Facebook: International Programmes Office

Twitter: @ipoug1

Instagram: @ipoug1

Prepared by: Yunuss Mohammed (Administrative Assistant, Students’ Welfare and Protocol, International Programmes Office)