Judith Sawyer (3), Educationalist, Former Headmistress, Ghana International School

[afosek]

Bravo! Mrs Judith Sawyer.

What ever you have said on this interview is the gospel truth about eduation in Ghana. I am a Ghanaian and I must admit that our educational system is full of junk.

I just hope that this interview will put our politicians and the education body into thinking.

[vixxy02]

It's the job of the govt. to educate the people as to the 'whats' and 'whys' , same as educating foreigners as to the 'whats' and 'whys'. What is acceptable to do and say, and what isn't. It's not for ANY FOREIGNER to educate them how they should live. If they don't like it don't stay.

[vixxy02]

I can only talk from a Nigerian perspective, and from my place in particular, that foreigners are most welcome, and especially foreign blacks, who we see as our kith and kin, and none of them come with a 'better-than-you' mentality, they are just happy to be part of the society! We have a lot of people from the Caribbean, China, India, South America, Lebanon and of course other African nations, and they all love living there, and are made to feel at home, and they also contribute positively.

[vixxy02]

Nobody likes to be dictated to in their own land, no matter how good the intentions, nor do the natives like to be treated unfairly or looked down in their own country. Here in England there are a lot of resentments towards foreign Muslims demanding special treatment, and against Somalians in particular who they feel are crippling the health system, by coming in as asylum/refugees and just taking from the govt. and coming in with all sorts of diseases, and many children draining the resources.

[vixxy02]

2. Africans in England don't hate Americans, but a lot of them have been told negative tales, by other Africans living in America,regarding the way they've been treated by some Americans. In England, every black person is a foreigner, regardless of whether you were born there or not, so none are in a position to accuse anybody of encroaching in their territory. Unfortunately some Americans feel Africans are taking what is theirs,especially when they excel educationally/financially.Sad but true!

[cocoaton]

continued- maybe they hate african americans because they are being influenced by africans from england. I heard many of them hate african americans. I know you spent time in england you said in one of your interviews. Is that true that the africans from england hate africans americans? I just want to get the meat of this story. If thats the case there. I don't think I would even bother to visit. I refuse to come there and be abused by my own people. That a pathetic tragedy. I just want to know

[cocoaton]

continued- whats the reason why ghanians hate african americans. I hear that many of them that moved to ghana and settled there are now leaving. what is that all about. Me knowing the way my people love africa, that must be very painful for them. I was shocked. I am sure the white man there will do all they can to put gasoline in that fire. They wanted us to hate you guys for centuries and wanted you to hate us. so this must be a party for them. its sad. gotta talk about it. thats not good.

[vixxy02]

1.@cocoaton My dear sister, it's not a matter of Africans/Ghanaians hating African Americans per say, it's some attitudes which come across as offensive. For instance if you go to Rome, you are expected to do as the Romans do, no matter how difficult or strange, that way people will love ans accept you knowing that you are willing to be just like everybody else. But when some come, they immediately want to change things or have an air of superiority over the natives, which causes problems.

[cocoaton]

I hear you vixxy but even the natives that have traveled go back home and have problems with the natives that have stayed there in regards to getting them to begin change in their region. for the better. for example a news headline in takoradi says that business and building owners refuse to paint their property so that the town would be more inviting. This would increase tourist and be of help to the locals. They also have problem with people keep things clean. that must change.

[vixxy02]

@cocoaton I understand what you're saying and I agree entirely, but there is a saying " get your feet well under the table before you think of changing the carpet!" In order for them to make or want to make changes live with the people, be part and parcel of the society FIRST...That way you will have a stronger voice because people will recognize your voice and listen! In the case of painting the buildings, the authorities should GIVE them the paint to do it, that way every body wins!

PEACE!

[cocoaton]

there are now many black americans there that have taken on citizenship. they are there living with the people. But they are constantly targeted for some kind of scam. second. ghana is constantly in acceptance of african american culture, music, fashion, why don't they learn the business, or ideas to help their system. the white man won't really help. he pretends to help. But they don't want ghana to grow. we love africa. we want to see it do bigger things.

[cocoaton]

continued- a african american woman went to ghana. She was shopping. She saw them making some food outside in the market. she wanted some. but then she looked over right next to it. see saw open sewage. So she calmly told the woman. why don't you set your space away from the sewage, its cleaner and more people would want to buy from you. The woman lost it as though she said something horrible. ghana has to get past these things. They must understand that they are in need of lots of changes.

[vixxy02]

@cocoaton So then who is to blame? The seller, the buyer or the govt? Personally I feel the govt, because this should not even be allowed. The seller may not have any other option but to sell there, because if there's no other place or the cleaner places might be expensive for her to rent. The seller should have got to know the woman a bit better before suggesting she moved away. She could have become a 'regular' that way they both would've been familiar to each other, then she could've told her

[cocoaton]

Vixxy02 This is not lala land.There is no time to stroke these people any longer.Ghanians are the most traveled africans in the world. the walk me to the water thing has to stop. Ghana has to get it together quickly.Even if she could not moveThis is a customer. I would have given explaination.Then assure my customer that I have worked hard to make sure that my food was not tainted by the sewage in anyway.make the sale.And plan day and night to remedy the problem. Business is not emotionalism.

[vixxy02]

@cocoaton So then the fault is with the authorities! They should be the ones to stop that practice,as well as educating the people on how not to behave, and about hygiene. Where I come from we don't have that problem, because it is totally unacceptable. There was a case whereby a woman came from a neighboring state and wanted to set up business frying 'akara' on the street. The local people refused to let her,because we just don't do it,and she thought she was being discriminated against.

[cocoaton]

vixxy02 your right, the authorities are suppose to regulate these things. This is where the system fails. However, I would think that most people would know what would be offensive to them in the case of someone handling their food. You said " the local people refuse to let her" well the african americans are becoming citizen there. They are the local people. But many people will not join them as that community did in forbidding that woman to fry akara. why can't any citizen have a voice.

[cocoaton]

I think that african americans there love the people.but we are not known for being fake. we do say it like it is.I think ghana suffers because the people are scared to speak up. But its time. they found oil.They are under a microscope. So I don't think the african americans are trying to hurt them. yes we come from a more developed country. We have ideas that may eccelerate the process of bettering the infrastructure. when you see how some things are don. you can see some people just don't know

[vixxy02]

@cocoaton The thing is when A.Americans, or returnees for that matter go back home, especially if they've never been, or have been away for some time, they go through a "cultural shock phase" , and this can be taken as being condescending. Nobody likes to be looked down in their own land by anybody, so this leads to resentments, by the Africans and a general idea of Americans as being unfriendly or condescending, so they become prejudiced against them.Change comes by positive interaction.

[cocoaton]

I can believe that can happen. But they get targeted a lot for money. Because the africans just assume that they are rich. I have heard many hurtful stories concerning africans only wanting money and treating black americans with this scamming atitude. I think it just need to be talked out.

[cocoaton]

and lastly. vixxy. The white man have taken information from almost every culture to better their establisment. Thats one of the reason why they keep growing. yea they have some other ways that are not good. but one thing they do. they share knowledge. especially if its free. I just think that ghana have to get past this crazy pride thing. and get the info. even if it does come from african americans. Its free knowledge. They let the white man tells them many things, some bad, with no problem.

[vixxy02]

@cocoaton AMEN TO THAT!!

PEACE!!

[cocoaton]

david a little off topic. I did a little research. Their seems to be a problem with ghanians having a hatred for african americans over there. Why have you not done a show on that.thats a tragedy.I would imagine they feel black americans are trying to run things.Well we lived in the enemy's mouth for years So what seem to be the other problems according to ghanians.I heard they really make life hard there for african americans. thats terrible.thats even worst than abuse from whites. our own? wow

[cocoaton]

what she said about rewarding those that go into the rural areas. thats a home run. its right. go judith. even though i'm curious about your style of teaching and your study agenda. that would really tell who you are. most africans would miss it. But african americans are experts concerning what whites do to the detriment of black students. we know all the subtle signs. I hope ghana finds out more in that area.

[xikidi]

Great Judith i love very much,keep on so