Our visits to the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) in Tafo and Professor Asare Opoku's Anansekwae, a forest preservation project in Mampong, have opened my eyes to some of the possibilities and challenges in our Ghanaian society. A seemingly simple presentation on the production of chocolate drew analogies to life and social questions in my mind. What is useful in life? What and who do we value? What and who do we discard?
In his presentation on the history and processing of cocoa, our guide at CRIG, pointed out that previously, the production focus was on the cocoa beans and its attributes . Everything outside of these beans was considered a waste. I recalled then that some Ghanaians think that plants which do not bear fruits are mere weeds. What changed this attitude for the people at CRIG? Comprehensive and thorough analysis shows that the assumptions made were wrong. Our ancestors knew this all along- every plant has value.
Currently the whole cocoa pod yields multiple products. The beans are used for making chocolate, the exocarp, once considered waste, is used in making pomades, soaps, drinks and other fancy products.
This simple lesson and observation lead me to reflect on life lessons for myself and my future students.
First, in terms of plants, Anansekwae and the cocoa pod have taught me that no plant is useless.
Simultaneously, Professor Asare Opoku's forest and research have proved to me that most plants which could not bear fruit and were considered weeds are of medicinal value. His passion for our traditions, wisdom of our ancestors and his knowledge about plant-medicine have further shed light on the relevance of plants, their indigenous value, and the need to preserve vegetation and forests for our survival.
As my mind wanders, I am reminded of parallels to humanity and our need to respect our differences. It is evident that nobody, like the cocoa pod, is useless and must not be discarded.
We need to work and collaborate as one unified force in our quest to make the world a better place. Just as Lucky Dube said in his music, “They were created in the image of God And who are you to seperate them. The Bible says, he made man in his image. But it didn't say black or white.”
When you see a black man, you see God. When you see a white man, you see God, because humans were created in the image of God, according to most religions. Racism and tribalism are two of the many evils that continue to create separation amongst people. People are denied opportunities, and in most cases dehumanized based on the color of their skin, ethnicity, religion and so on. We continue to regress in these areas.
2023 Cohort 1 in front of the statue of Tetteh Quarshie who first brought the Cacao plant to Ghana
As educators, we must make sure all our students are loved, respected, treated equally, helping them to identify and develop their potential.
Finally, as human beings and curriculum implementators, we should emulate what makes the tree ensure its survival. The tree bears fruit, providing shade and also herbs for the benefit of other living organisms. They in turn provide sustenance to the roots of that tree.
I am a proud beneficiary of the Witness Tree institute of Ghana . WTIG is an educational organization whose primary aim is to improve the lot of teachers through interactions with participants in their cohorts in a deep cultural way. It creates self development and also, goes to help both students and the communities the participants come from.
The WTIG echoes the proverb that that states that knowledge is like a baobab tree. No one person can encircle its trunk fully. It requires a group effort to do so. In light of this, the WTIG encourages cooperative and group learning.
A WTIG cohort takes into consideration the ideas and opinions of group members for effective and efficient decision making. With this group all opinions are considered viable. This creates room for gracious space.
As a member if the WTIG cohort one Funtunmereku, I will emulate the WTIG principles I learned and apply them.
Let's strive to make the world a better place.
By Akwadah Abednego Teye, Student Teacher, Accra College of Education, Accra, Ghana