Recently I picked up “the White Man’s Burden” a book by Bill Easterly on the failures of current development. A model organization of a new method in development is highlighted…and as I read the description of the trip along the coast of Ghana – halfway between Cape Coast and Accra, I realized I had been there, to this town, to visit these people!
My tour began at the future library site in Mprumem. I am hesitant to comment on the location of the library. I strongly believe local leaders are best equipped to make decisions concerning their community's needs. The library is located close to the highway (which is good, it’s where people travel and they hope to eventually have road stands to help fund the library). But it is only accessible by foot through, basically, a swamp! My western intuition wants to criticize this location based on its inaccessibility, but I have to remember – swampy thigh-high weeds a mile from my home may be a deterrent to me, but this is not MY library. The location was chosen because it was central to five communities, not just Mprumem and since none of hte communities have a library or access to books, it will serve all the villagers. The library is still being built and it will take more funding to move to the next level. I was able to visit previous work by this organization in the local community where the community’s chief’s development work is clearly evident. All children attend school and the schools are strong recently built buildings.
A little about the government structure in Ghana – each community has a Chief, a position passed to the brother of the older Chief’s wife, generation after generation. Although not related to the official government, chief’s closely engage with the community and work on community issues. I learned on this site visit that it was common in Ghana for the chief to be well-educated, and living abroad, but still providing for their community. I had another western questioning moment when I wondered how much a leader could help while living thousands of miles away, but it was clear in this community Anthony had much help from his brothers and his wife’s brothers. My hosts showed me the progress Anthony made with the local schools and explained the location of the library and the lack of books and other resources for the children. The elders in this tight knit community are eager to provide for the children and bring education and computers to their world, in order to open more doors from their futures. I’m excited to see the progress in the library and hope to hear about its usage in the coming years.
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