Gender equality - the key to cultural and, by extension, political "progress"

Parliament - Unfortunately, the assembly was not in session for us to see, but we were able to tour the building and sit in the chamber. Ghanaian Parliament is a hybrid system of the American and British legislative systems. I was struck by some of the progressive measures being pursued to improve its degree of representativeness yet also its desire not to rush too quickly into progress. For example, Parliament has implemented several methods of promoting public outreach and awareness of the political system:

- welcoming public feedback

- sending government information as well as members of Parliament to rural districts to keep them informed and participating

- instituting early government education and Parliament chamber visits

Additionally, the arrangement of members within the chamber intrigued me, with one' position indicating much about both your politics and your longevity in Parliament. Nkrumah's daughter is a newcomer, with her position reflecting such and her relatively moderate political stance.

When we consulted the press secretary about female representation in Parliament, she informed us that the Speaker of Parliament (the third highest political position in the state) is a woman but that women constitute a low percentage of parliamentary membership (about 19 out of 230 members). I asked her if Ghana had considered implementing quotas or a proportional representation system, as in other states like Rwanda, and she responded that Ghana needed to take baby steps in politics before it could run. Also, she lik most Ghanaians favored female participation based on merits rather than quotas and thought that with time more Ghanaians would be receptive to female political leadership as well. I do not know which system is more democratic - one like Rwanda that ensures the voices of minority interests are heard or one like Ghana which promotes competition - but I am glad to see that Ghana is ocnsidering these reforms in order to make itself a more democratic state.

Art Centre = market - Next, we went to a local market, which extended further than I had time or energy to meander. The haggling wa exciting but exhausting. I am worried that my gender and race label me an easy target to overcharge, but I am learning to be more firm while still polite and likable.

Outside of the market, a member of our group saw a man selling/wearing a t-shirt she just had to have - "Can you smell what Obama's cookin'?" I wish I were clear on the details of the story because as it unfolded it somewhat irked me. She bought the very shirt off his back. It bothered me because it indicated to me an attitude of absolute entitlement,as if her desire to have the shirt superceded his right to keep it. I wish I knew the details.

Later, we went to the mall to run errands and eat lunch. I was amused by the general Americanization of it all, particularly the menus in the food court (while slightly altered from tradition in their preparation). Case in point: I ate Chinese food; Will had a cheeseburger;Judy had chicken tenders. Is something wrong with this picture?