IN GHANA     

 

His interest in Ghana, made him to accept an offer of a work experience, with a graphic design company in Accra.   

 

He had previously spent some of his early years in Ghana, Accra, Korle-Gonno. 1977-79 

I decided to go to Ghana and bring him back as I missed him.  And, besides, I had promised him that I would bring him back after two years.   

I arrived in Ghana, December 1979.  To get access to him was the most unpleasant experience I ever encountered.  Extremely terrifying and traumatising.   The ‘commando’ exercise at Accra Airport, was all so unnecessary and senseless. 

  

Once the Plane took off, I thanked God and sighed with a big relief.   

I was exhausted and wondered, what was all that about? 

 

We settled down in our seats, I had a toy Concorde Airplane and gave it to him.  With excitement he asked?!  “How do you know that I like aeroplanes?”  “Because I am your mum!”  I replied.   Thanks mum, and he made flying noises with his toy plane.  

 

After our dinner, he played with the toy Concorde until our plane landed at London Heathrow in the early hours of a cold, wintery morning, in January 1980.   My body started to shake like wobbly jelly – secondary shock had set in.   

 

We were picked up by a family friend and driven home to Battersea, South London.  On the way home he asked!  “Who were the people who were chasing you mum?”  Those were his first words throughout the entire journey.   

“They were your uncles!” I replied.  Why? He asked again.  “They did not want you to come with me!”  I answered.  Why? Again, he asked.  “I do not know!”  I replied.  

He put his head on my shoulders, I cuddled him, and he slept all the way still clutching his toy, until we arrived home.   

No more questions were asked.  I tried to put the whole episode behind us.  There were no bad feelings.  “End of story!”   “History!”  

 

He settled very well; having had a couple nightmares, otherwise, he was fine.   

He started primary school in February 1980.   

 

From 1986 onwards, we would visit Ghana on a family holiday whenever possible.  He loved the Cultural Centre in Kumasi; and Afful Nkwanta, Amakom, our family home.  He was so happy to see Emena, our village, and the relatives. “I would like to buy a land here!” He remarked. 

At Aburi Botanical Garden, he jumped in the old Helicopter, which was on display, and pretended to fly.    

We went to Labadi beach in Accra.  He and his sister Davina could not make sandcastles, and he could not ‘bury’ himself in the sand, or jump in the sea, as he would have safely done at the seaside in the United Kingdom.   

 

Some years later, he went back to Ghana for work experience as he had always been interested in spending his time there.    

He stayed with relatives in Tema.   

He travelled on the ‘tro-tro’, (that was an experience in itself) to Adabraka.  He would leave Tema in the early hours and return very late at night.  He persevered, never complaining.   

He was indebted to his Uncle K B, sister Amma and Cousin Emmanuel – ‘Cobbs’, as he fondly called him.    

 

Although, he had been in constant pain, he made regular visits to Ghana, and soon made friends, and mustered some local dialect, which made him feel very proud.   What he could not understand was being called “Obroni!”   

“Are you having a laugh?” He would call out!”  “Madamfo” (My friend, come), and put his arm forward. “Look!”  I am not different from you; so why do you call me “Obroni?”  (White man?) 

He would then ‘show off’ with his newly acquired lingo!  “Me de Kwesi” He would say his name, followed by, “Bra, yenko!”  (Come, let us go!”) which often produced laughter from his companions.  

“In London, I am a ‘black boy/man,’ but here I am, in my country, and I am called “Obroni!”  “That is terrible!”  “I don’t get it!”   He remarked frequently. 

 

Year 2008 was an exciting year.  The preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations Football were well under way.   Rob had not been in the best of health, but he was determined to go to Ghana to watch them play at the Stadium.  

On the one hand, I was very happy for him, as where “there is hope, there is life” On the other hand I was worried about his ailing health.  Sensing my anguish, he said “Mum, don’t worry, I will be fine!”   That was typically Robert, ‘the fighter, considerate and thoughtful’.  

 

The day arrived for our departure.  We landed at Accra International Airport.   

He was put in a wheelchair, and I took his clutches, neither of us saying much.  I had been silently praying as usual.  

 

At the arrival entrance, his Cousin Michael spotted us immediately, and came towards us.  When Rob saw him, his face lit up with a big smile.  Tears were running down my face, but thank goodness, the place was so dark no one noticed. I was overwhelmed with emotions.  

Considering Rob’s condition, the family had turned up in two estate cars, to make sure we had a comfortable ride home.  We were happy and grateful.  

He quietly asked me to hold his arms. “I will try to walk mum!”  I gave him his clutches, and slowly but surely, step by step he got into one car.   

 

The excitement of being in Ghana, had giving him a ‘new lease’ of life, and amazingly, he managed on two clutches and pain killers.  Then two became a single clutch with caution, it was wonderful to see how much effort he would put into everything that he did.    

He was very relaxed and happy and could not stop talking about the game.  

 

The ‘big day’ was upon us, and Cousin Michael came to pick him up.  When they came back, there was no doubt that they had had the most fantastic time.  He was elated and tried to analyse the entire game to those of us who could not go to the stadium.  

We had recorded all the games for him to take back to London, for a ‘double dose’ of shared entertainment with his friends.  

Atlas, his one dream had come true, and we were all very happy for him.   

 

The visit had been a success, and back in London, he continued to make progress gradually.   

He would drive to the youth centre to see how they were getting on and gave them his total attention where needed.    

 

He was keen on trying Herbal medicines, (scientifically proven of course), and we had previously visited Mampong-Akwapim, Dr Oku-Ampofo’s Herbal Clinic.  

While there, he had a long chat with the staff and decided to give the medicines a try.   

He was given some preparations to take home to see how they worked for him.  The medications seemed to have given him some relief from pain, and that was encouraging and reassuring.  He had more to take with him on his return to London.  

 

Sometime later, he planned to ‘go home’ (Ghana) again, but this time on his own.   

He would drive to Dodowa and the mountains – Aburi, Oyarifa, exploring the areas to see which best suited him, to purchase a land or a petrol station.   

He settled for Prampram, as he loved the sea and the tranquillity. Also, the proposed building of an airport in the area made Prampram more attractive to him for future investment.   

Rob would drive from home in Baatsonaa/Spintex, to Prampram every day to work on his plot, from morning to late evening.   

He was very excited and worked hard – some days limping with pain, but that did not deter him.  He was very brave, determined, and optimistic.   

 

At weekends, he would swap his Golf for his battered Jeep, so that the car would be serviced by his mechanic, Divine, who also, looked after us, as a general ‘handy’ man and gardener.  Some days, Rob would take him along for company.   

Robert loved fufu, and our Helena took care of that.  These two selfless people, have since remained loyal, trusting, and caring; they are very special to us.   

 

Prampram became his ‘pride and joy’ and he would spend more time in Ghana, in preparation of settling permanently.    

 

 

One day, he was driving to Mampong, to see the Pharmacist and the Doctors, at the Herbal Clinic, to review his medications.   

He was stopped by a Police Officer.  And he thought to himself! “I have not been speeding, as I am concentrating to avoid these ‘goats and potholes’ so why am I being stopped?”  

The Officer came to the car, and asked, “Where are you going, ‘masa,’ (Mister)?” “Mampong, he told him!”  “Can I have some water?” the Officer asked!”  “I have a bottle, but I need it, sorry!” He told him.  “No, ‘masa,’ not your water; and he showed his palm to Robert.    

“Are you serious?” “Are you a Police Officer?” Rob asked him, seemingly baffled.  “Wait here for me, I will bring you ‘food and water’ on my way back.”  “Give me your name?”  He requested! 

The Officer, sensing that it was not going to be his ‘lucky day’ with this ‘foreigner’, backed off, leaving Rob to drive away – somewhat irritated for having wasted his time.   

Imagine his surprise!”  “An officer’, in uniform, shamelessly, asking for money!”   

Rob could not believe it, the officer laughed, but Robert was not amused.    

 

He continued to make his regular trips to Prampram, making sure everything was going according to his plans.   

 

Robert, the people’s friend, had two adorable Nephews, Tanou and Alpha Benjamin, and two God sons, Benjamin and Robert and a loving family.   

Rob loved children, watching him play with them was so heart-warming.  He was in a relationship and talked of getting married to start a family; but the thought of seeing any child, endure so much pain, as he did was too much a risk to take.  He was heartbroken. 

 

By the grace of God, his land in Prampram, which he tirelessly and passionately maintained, shall be appropriately named, Robert Lodge in his memory.  

 

“His legacy lives on!” 

“Gone, but never forgotten!” 

“Forever in our hearts!” 

Your loving mum!