By the time we returned, tired and hungry, the cocoyamwould be ready, hot and smoky, its skin charred from the fire. There was no time to sit down and enjoy it. We would carefully wrap the piping hot cocoyam in a piece of cloth and set off again for school. As we walked, we would unwrap our little bundle, break off pieces of cocoyam and eat along the way, blowing on each bite to cool it before quickly putting it into our mouths. With the afternoon sun beating down on us, we would eat as we walked until the school came into sight. By the time we arrived, the cocoyamwas usually finished. We would dust ourselves off and head straight back into the classroom for the afternoon lessons. I was born on September 26, 1941, in Vakpo in the Volta Region. My mother was Regina Yawabosio Baku, andmy father, Matheo Obimpeh, both of blessedmemory. Both of my parents were from Vakpo, and although they each had other children, I was their only child together. I was born into the Amuyao Royal Family. My grandfather was Gbogbolulu II, aka Henry Kwaku Obimpeh. I was the only child born tomy mother and father together, but I was never really an only child. I was part of a larger family, surrounded by siblings, cousins, nephews, nieces, uncles, aunties and grandparents who were all part of my early life. My mother had another son, Sylvester Kosi Anku, who later followed a path similar tomine by joining the Ghana Navy and is now retired. Onmy father’s side, I had a brother, Peter Komla Obimpeh, who lives in Kpando, and an older sister, Akosua Obimpeh, whom I remember frommy childhood but who sadly passed away in her thirties. My father was a mason, or what we called a bricklayer. He was a goodman, tall, handsome and very hardworking. In addition to his bricklaying, he took up cocoa farming at Fodome, although I never visited his farmor knew exactly where it was. I did not spendmuch time living with him. Onmy mother’s side, farming was very much a part of life. My maternal grandmother was a groundnut farmer, andmy mother followed in her footsteps, growing both groundnuts and okro. Some of my earliest memories are of living with my paternal grandmother and cousins in Kpando, where I stayed until I was about seven years old. Her home was an important part of my childhood, and growing up surrounded by family gave me a strong sense of belonging and of always having a place to call home. 8 The Birthday Journal
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