UKG

After finishing my degree, I was compelled to write but I also wanted to do something for my community. Now, up until very recently when I spent some time in Ghana following the death of my grandfather, the word community had a completely different meaning to me. It was young Londoners – of any background. Although this may still be the case, I have a stronger connection with those of my background – UK Ghanaians. Being in Ghana increased my sense of belonging and attachment to my roots that may have always been present but not a dominant or an obvious part of my personality.

Growing up in London neither of my parents were the kind to socialise immensely with other Ghanaian folk. So I never grew or built up a Ghanaian social circle. My main and only real connection to Ghana was when my mother made her regular calls or shall I say screams (I could hear her from the bath if she was downstairs on a Ghana call) when I would get a chance to speak or say hello to my cousins, aunts and uncles.

If I had developed a large circle of Ghanaians my age group, I imagine that most of these young people my generation may speak their own dialect (mine being Twi, I ramble through it with my embarrassing English lilt!), they may have also been educated in the UK or the west and have been disadvantaged and unfortunate not to have holidayed in Ghana since they were born or for a very long time.

More importantly this generation would be Ghanaian but British by birth or Ghanaian by birth and now British (as you all know this in itself is often a story and a half!). Either of these can be a strange combination as although comfortable with their Ghanaian roots they will also enjoy all our westernized influences. Juggling the two under any personality is tricky! Ghanaians and all Africans can vouch that our roots are an obvious patch (or shining beacon!) however westernized your personality or family. I mention this for all those scarred by school uniform trousers cut and hemmed far too short, school trip sandwiches over filled and for those that had to take jelloff rice - I salute you!

Nevertheless I feel this group, myself included have a new aged culture that is far common now than ten years ago. We should indulge in our Ghanaian heritage, western upbringing and surroundings. In the coming blogs we’ll go into politics, hotspots for Ghanaians, places where famous and prominent Ghanaians are spotted, the best read, events of the season and name dropping of Ghanaians at the top of their profession. But this page wont work without you so please comment with suggestions, jokes, experiences (we love ones about embarrassing Ghanaian parents!) and even ideas. I want to hear ALL! As well as comments you can also e-mail us on ukghanaians@aol.com

Must dash!