Ghana natives speak at international luncheon

By: Michelle Anstett
Editor-in-chief

Monmouth College’s modern foreign languages department concluded this semester’s international luncheon series in the Highlander Room on Wednesday, Nov. 8, with a talk given by James and Ruby Bukari.

The lecture, entitled “Tales from Ghana: The Gateway to Africa” was open to Monmouth College students and faculty, as well as the public. Anyone could attend the lecture free of charge, but the buffet luncheon, featuring international foods, required reservations and a fee of $6.50.

The Bukaris, both natives of Ghana, returned there in 2004 after living approximately five years in the United States. They were visiting Ghana so James, a visiting assistant professor of modern foreign languages at Monmouth College, could gather data for his doctoral dissertation. Ruby is the college’s coordinator of intercultural life.

Ghana, located in western Africa, is a country “hemmed-in between French-speaking countries,” James stated. With a population of approximately 20.4 million and the official language being English, it is a mixed country in many senses.

The categories of marriage, for example, are three: mutual (a man and a woman mutually decide to marry one another), betrothal (a woman is promised to a young man from birth) and exchange (one family gives their daughter in exchange for the daughter of the other family) and can be seen as controversial, traditional and problematic by Western standards. Women are also not allowed to make any decisions, and are treated very much like subordinates. “Our culture is one that promotes male education over female education,” James said, and the literacy rate in Ghana is just about 74 percent nationally, with roughly 85 percent of males able to read, and just over 60 percent of females literate.

In terms of peaceful coexistence of religions, however, Ghana is fairly progressive, even by Western standards. Ruby stated that Muslims, Christians and those who practice a more native religion all live in harmony, with many civic ceremonies incorporating all faith practices.

While visiting Ghana, the Bukaris participated in an interesting tradition. Prior to their arrival, one of James’ father’s wives--he has three, which is common in Ghana --was accused of practicing witchcraft and banished from her home. James took this very personally, and decided to speak on her behalf.

He had to speak to a group of elders in order for them to consider her case, and the entire town watched the proceedings. In the end, she was cleared of the charges and allowed to return to James’ father’s home. The women, whose lower status in society makes any of them susceptible to these accusations at any moment, performed a celebratory dance after the verdict was rendered.

The Bukaris, through their lecture on Ghana, educated members of the Monmouth College community on a society different from their own.