Akwaaba, by Chris LaBoube

Rev. Chris LaBoube is just beginning his first term of service in Ghana, as a Scripture Media Advisor.  Here is his account of his first moments in country.

As soon as I stepped off the 10-hour flight from New York City to Accra [uh-kraa], the weather felt a little warm and humid, but it was great being out of the plane.  I had arrived in Ghana on Saturday, 25 June 2011 in late afternoon.  Two LBT missionaries welcomed me at the airport – Rev. Nathan Esala and David Federwitz.

The Ashanti Twi [said something like: chree] word for greeting people is the title of this article and is said [ah-kwaa-bah].  Ashanti Twi is one language that is spoken by a large number of Ghanaians.  It’s kind of considered the ”national language,” though it’s not the official language.  The official language is English, brought to this country by the British, who had previously colonized Ghana.

As all languages do, the English spoken in Ghana has developed into ”Ghanaian English.”  I’ve struggled many times in conversation listening to someone speak to me in Ghanaian English and not fully understanding.  In the local markets, it’s just as hard to tell the difference between ”thirteen” and ‘thirty” or ”fifteen” and ”fifty.”

Please pray for me as I learn to understand and communicate in Ghanaian English, and begin learning Ashanti Twi.