An Eastern Michigan University journalism professor returned from his sabbatical in Ghana, Africa and shared his experiences through a lecture called “Detroit to Accra” on Tuesday.
Charles Simmons spoke about the road to Accra and how he went from being a boy standing on tables reading poetry to soldiers to going overseas helping and learning about the struggles they hold.
He and his wife, Sandra Simmons, traveled to different areas within the country.
“I always participate in it,” Simmons said talking about studying abroad.
At the lecture, the audience included students visiting from the University of Michigan, Michigan State University as well as other schools throughout the United States.
Two-three million people live in Accra. A large percentage of the population is middle class and an even larger percent is lower class.In Ghana there are rules on trade. The government won’t allow farmers to grow or eat their own crops, so local governments and non government organizations come together to farm.
Farmers lose out and it makes it hard for small businesses to compete with bigger ones.
Simmons spent a month in a fisherman’s village where he witnessed the problems small businesses and specifically small boat owners have.
Companies from other countries bribe the government to come in with their boats and collect all the fish — the fish used throughout the local communities. These companies then sell the fish back to the communities that would have gotten them,free had the companies not interfered.
The small country doesn’t have security to protect its produce or land.
Unlike in the United States, and especially in Michigan, Ghana has many deserts that are growing, taking over farming lands and making areas unlivable.
In an attempt to combat the water shortage problem, women in Wa, Ghana made a water-storing facility. They dug this water system without obtaining government help. According to Simmons, there are differences between the way missionaries help and how he and his wife helped the people.
He said they asked “what are your needs?” and “what are your wants?” Pollution and trash such as plastic bags are affecting the water and beaches in Ghana.
“It kills animals and it kills people,” Simmons said. “Re-use and recycle.”
Simmons said the title “Detroit to Accra” was a comparison between the two cities, because there are so many similarities.
“Children weren’t playing,” Sandra Simmons said. “They work, some selling oranges.”
Struggle is everywhere according to the pair.
“If it happens in Detroit, it can happen any place because humans have the same problems no matter where they are in the world,” Sandra Simmons said.
Simmons also spoke about the lack of education.
“About 66 percent of men are illiterate, but they listen to the radio and have learned 12 or more languages,” Simmons said.