to do the impossible; and asking for all the help I can garner in my network to help impact my father’s people. Me yɛ Akyemkwaa a minom Birim. Inspirations for Abompe When we bought the land a year ago, I was depressed about the expanse of land that had been gutted by Galamsey operators. The ruts and gullies, which retain rainfall, pose a danger to farmers coming from their farms. I can barely look at the muddied waters. These were clear waters that we bathed in and fetched for our homesteads. Now… Education is key. The plan is to build a library where the young can escape to read and aspire to be more, aiming for a ripple effect. The other plan is to institute a scholarship fund to help very needy and bright students make powerful strides. That the beading industry will flourish and bring more recognition to Abompe. I will come to my network with a pan in my hand, a story to tell, and results to show. May God grant me wisdom and wise counselors. Turning 50… Why my hometown? Months leading up to my 50th milestone, all I wanted to do was visit Rome, Italy, and Venice, particularly to sit on a Gondola and have it bob me and my family on its calm waters. However, I could not pull that off. So we decided... why not go back to the land of your father and do something different. We toyed with this idea ad nauseam. The more we thought of it, the more it seemed right. In blocking off guesthouses for friends and family who were billed to travel to us, every receptionist asked, “when is the funeral?” Oops! So, we don’t bring celebrations back to our roots? Only the dead? I mumbled. That nauseated me and urged us on to curate an Akurase experience to bring life, to bring a hurrah, and perhaps to encourage my generation to go back and nurture their roots as well as prune the branches that had grown unruly. I have to say Kwabena took this idea and raced so fast with it, I had to sit on an Okada to catch up. His frenzy, dedication to this project, his zeal to celebrate me in the face of all the why questions had me stunned. Kwabena… Son of the sparrowhawk, you are indeed God’s blessed child. May He grant you favour, my brother. The eagle has landed to spread its wings. 64 The Birthday Journal
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