Akwaaba - Willkommen in Ghana
deutsch / english
Autor / Author: François Maher Presley
Fotos / Images: François Maher Presley
Grußwort / A Word of Welcome:
Emeritus Professor J.H. Kwabena Nketia
Englisch-Übersetzung / English translation:
Alexa Alfer
Erschienen 2007 / Appeared 2007
Leinen, Schutzumschlag, 196 Seiten, 29,7 x 21 cm, ca. 200 farbige Fotos
Preis: 29,95 EUR | Bestellung
Meinungen / Opinions
Akwaaba – Welcome to Ghana“ launched
Daily Graphic, Accra, Saturday, May 26, 2007,
No. 150058
“AKWAABA – Welcome to Ghana”, a picturesque compilation of sights, tradition and cultural experiences in the country, has been launched in Accra, as part of the year-long activities to commemorate the Golden Jubilee anniversary.
Written by a German Author, Mr. François Maher Presley, and edited by Mr. Gerhard Buchmann, a German businessman who has lived in Ghana for over 40 years, the 194-page book has pictures with accompanying commentary from the perspective of the two Germans who have strong ties to the country. The author is a journalist, publisher and businessman with a passion for photography. The book is written in both English and German. Pictures of facial expressions of joy and seriousness, animals, clothes, markets, foods, architecture and construction are all captured with personal commentary on each footage.
At the launch of the book, the German Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Peter Linder, said it was only natural for Germany to celebrate with Ghana as the 5th independence anniversary also marked the 50th year of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Describing the book as “new and intriguing”, he said it presented a different perspective of the country and paid another fitting homage to the country in its anniversary year.
Prof. J.H. Kwabena Nketiah, the immediate past President of the Ghana International Centre for Music and Dance, in his introductory statement said the book presented a dynamic picture of the country. He expressed satisfaction with the subjective perspective of the two Germans and he said it provided another refreshing dimension in the sharing of their experiences with others. Prof. Nketiah said while many Ghanaians take their diversity for granted as they go about their daily routine, socialise and participate in events, the visitor, who is used to different rhythms of life might not be able to make sense out of his initial encounters in the country. He said it was in that vein that the book was a welcome documentation to understand the rich Ghanaian culture and traditions as “the eyes of a stranger may be big but cannot see the town clearly”.
Prof. Nketiah expressed the hope that the book would not only be available at tourist stands but also in schools and local bookshops nationwide.
The president of the German-African Business Association in Hamburg, Mrs. Bianca Buchmann, in a commentary on the book, said it represented a “personal authentic portrait” of the country by the two men, who had felt, tasted and experienced it. She said the photographs were shaped primarily by artistic and passionate concerns and reflected the beauty of daily life in Ghana. Mrs. Buchmann who later read excerpts from the book with the author, interspersed with music from the violinist, Thomas Woernle, said the German-Africa Business Association’s connection with the publication of the book was evidence of their aim of not only collaborating for business but also in all spheres of endeavours in the two countries.
In an interview, Mr. Presley, who was born in Kuwait, said he had never visited Black Africa till he came to Ghana and fell in love with the country. He said that passion drove him on several adventures throughout the country, and with the support of his editor he came out with the book.
The Director of the Goethe Institute, where the book was launched, Ms. Eleonore Sylla, said the institute had planned activities to commemorate the country’s anniversary and the book launch was one of such activities.
German - German
Visitors from the northern hemisphere or other parts of the world who come to Ghana for the first time inevitably notice the double face of Ghana on their forays into the country, which combines old and new, local and foreign, traditional and modern. Customs and structures from the colonial era persist long after Ghana's independence, just like in many other parts of the world that were formerly ruled by colonial rulers, such as Latin America or the Caribbean. Added to this is the diversity of the native languages, handicrafts and the cultural customs and traditions of the many different ethnic groups that are at home here. All of this comes across not only in the country and in the historical home areas of the various ethnic groups, but now also in the cities and metropolises of the country. This is due to the increasing mobility of the population, which reached its first peak in the colonial era and is now being accelerated once again through socio-economic, political and cultural development programs as well as initiatives in the areas of health, education and communication.
While this colorful diversity is simply part of everyday life for most Ghanaians, their social togetherness and the festivals and occasions they celebrate, visitors from abroad, used to different everyday images and rhythms of life, may initially find all of this confusing feel. Any guide that makes it easier for him to access this strange world should be welcomed, because as the old Akan saying goes: "The eyes of the stranger may be large, but they still cannot see the city clearly." In my opinion, it was precisely this insight that guided the creation and development of this volume.
Before I finish, I would like to take this opportunity to offer my congratulations to the authors of “Welcome to Ghana”. They have not only shown foresight, but have also written this volume from their very own, subjective perspective, which enables them to share the experience and knowledge they have gathered about this country over many years with others. I am firmly convinced that even those readers who cannot come to Ghana in person will travel this place in their minds through this book and be inspired by the more artistically than ethnographically inspired pictures. But Ghanaian readers should also find what two “outsiders” have to tell us in this book about their experiences in Ghana and their impressions of our cultural sites, which are part of everyday life for us, very interesting. So I hope that this volume, initially aimed at visitors, will not only be available at tourist stands but also in local bookshops. Emeritus Professor JH Kwabena Nketia
Hurry
english / englisch
Anyone who visits Ghana for the first time from the Northern hemisphere and other parts of the world, cannot but be struck by the duality of old and new, indigenous and foreign, tradition and modernity that one encounters as one goes around the country, or colonial structures and traditions long after the attainment of political independence, as indeed one finds in former dependent countries in Latin America, the Caribbeans and elsewhere. Added to this is the diversity of indigenous languages, arts and cultural practices of the various ethnic groups, which may be encountered not only in ethnic locations but also in various towns and cities due to increased mobility of the population precipitated by various factors which reached their peak in the colonial period but which are now being accelerated by development strategies in various spheres of socio-economic, political and cultural life as well as in health, education and communication.
While many Ghanaians take this diversity for granted as they go about their daily routine, socialize and participate in events, the visitor used to different vistas and rhytms of life may not be able to make sense of it in his initial encounters and may welcome any documentation that enables him to do this, for as the Akan proverb put it: “the eyes of a stranger may be big, but they cannot see the town clearly.” I believe that this is what guided the conception and preparation of “Welcome to Ghana”.
Before conclusing, I would like to congratulate the authors of “Welcome to Ghana” not only for their foresight but also for writing this guide from their own subejctive perspective so that they can share with others their knowledge and experience of Ghana through a long period of residence. I believe that those who are not able to come to Ghana physically will be able to do so from their imaginative reading of the book and the illustrations which are intended to be more of aesthetic rather than ethnographic interest. As Ghanaian readers may also find what resident “outsiders” tell us about their experience in Ghana or their visits to cultural sites, which we take for granted, instructive, I hope that this book which adresses itself to visitors will be accesible in local bookshops and not only on stands for tourists. Emeritus Professor J.H. Kwabena Nketia
Speech of Ambassador Linder on the occasion of the Booklaunch “Welcome to Ghana” by Francois Maher Presley at the Goethe Institut Accra.
Dear Mrs. Buchmann, President of the Afrika-Verein,
Mrs. Sylla, Director of the Goethe Institut Accra and our host tonight
Dear Mr. Buchmann, Chairman and director of Hospital Engineering, today here as editor
Mr. Presley, author and photographaer of “Akwaaba – Welcome to Ghana”
Ladies and Gentlemen, distinguished Guests,
I have the great honour and the pleasure to welcome you here to the launch of a new intriguing book “Welcome to Ghana” by Francois Maher Presley. It is an honor to speak on this important occasion.
This book is another hommage to Ghana@50, presenting the country from the angle of a German author, journalist and editor travelling to Ghana for many times and getting more and more attracted by the country, the culture and the people. It was edited by the German Entrepreneur, Mr. Gerhard Buchmann who- together with his wife- does not only know Ghana very well from 40 years of business activities in the country but has become a true friend of Ghana and her people. What a happy coincidence, if true friends and enthusiasts of Ghana are behind such a nice piece of art, this is not only a book, it is a piece or art.
Today Ghana looks back at very succesful and festive 5 month of the Jubilee year 2007 when on March 6th Ghana marked her 50 years of independence with colourful and distinguished celebrations in Accra and all over the country. Seven more month of celebrations will follow.
Germany has also good reasons to celebrate the Golden Jubilee – because 50 years ago we took up diplomatic relations with Ghana. Germany honours the Golden Jublilee with many activities in all fields of Ghanaian-German cooperation. The political highlight was the visit of President Köhler in January and the Africa-Forum helt together with President John A.Kufuor. Due to the Ghanaian AU-Presidency and the German Presidency of the EU and G8, political relations stay exceptionally intensive over the year, the next highlight being H.E. Prtesident Kufuor himself who will attend the G8-summit on the 8th June in Heiligendamm.
The German Government, organisations, foundations, churches, NGO’s and private persons contribute with own activities and projects to Ghana-Germany at 50. The German Embassy in cooperation with Ghanaian artists developed a Logo for these events.
The Goethe Institut Accra as the German cultural institut takes a focal position as an organiser of cultural events succesfully linking our countries, their artists and public and contributing a great deal to increase the knowledge about each other and understanding of our two nations. I would like to thank Mrs. Sylla for hosting tonights book launch.
