much fun that everyone was declared a winner, even though we Ghanaians had the loudest voices. After that, we decided to do it every year, and it grew so big that we would have to hire a venue. People didn’t pay to enter, but everyone contributed to it in one way or the other. I started to coordinate the ‘International Jollof Rice Competition’ with a small group of friends: Hajia Hawa Toure, Nemata Majeke-Walker, and Hajia IsattaWurie. We even made bottled water with the competition’s name on it. People came up with all kinds of food, like cassava bread, and Banga soup, we even fried ‘kelewele,’ and it sold out. Then again, I would bring Ghanaian sweets and all kinds of things fromGhana; we needed to represent Ghana, you know. It was simply amazing. I must state for the record, Sierra Leonean jollof is really tasty; they use more onions in their jollof, Aunty Tess’s jollof is amazing. And, of course, there is sumptuous jollof from Senegal too. I can’t talk about Freetown without remembering my beloved friends: Mary Magdalene Mensah, Peninah Kariuki, and Her Excellency, Liberian Ambassador Musu Jatu Ruhle. We used to spend every Sunday together at HEMusu’s house, doing our pedicures and feasting together. Musu fed us all during the Lockdown, and we spent many days in her house; we wished for more lockdown days! Sierra Leone was indeed a challenging yet fulfilling experience. Despite the difficulties, I achieved a lot during my time there. I successfully established a Covid-19 Treatment Centre and Isolation ward in response to the pandemic, collaborating with Pearl andMusu, we built a hospital and several clinics. Additionally, I undertook a comprehensive office human resource reorganisation to improve efficiency of the office. One notable event during my time in Sierra Leone was the mudslide, which required immediate attention and coordination. Even though I was on leave at the time, I rushed back to Sierra Leone within 24 hours to help organise ground support for the survivors. However, my tenure in Sierra Leone did end on a somewhat troubling note as I faced career challenges. I had to navigate the stress of managing both work responsibilities and personal issues affecting others, particularly during the Covid-19 crisis. Moreover, I had to contend with allegations of harassment made against me by one particular staff member. The investigations were taxing, but I am relieved that I was eventually cleared of these accusations. Apia, SAMOA I received a text message while I was on leave and relaxing. It was frommy secretary, Josie Epa, and the message read: “I have organised a mass for your birthday.” I replied, saying, “Oh, okay,” feeling quite surprised. The next thing I knew, she texted again, “I have spoken to the priest. You are a mass lector. I told him you can read at mass.” “Okay,” I replied, thinking to myself, wow. Then, another text came, “Oh, the bishop is going to conduct the mass.” Amazing! So there I was, standing, reading for the mass and the bidding prayers. The best part was that all ten members of my staff were there. It was wonderful. They did the offertory and carried the lectionary in. Afterward, they held a big feast to mark my 59th birthday. 37 The Birthday Journal
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