Before I left for my yearlong Humanist service trip with Pathfinders Project, I gave the impression that I was most looking forward to traveling—visiting other countries, seeing cultural sites, and … [Read more...]
Ghana
Unreconcilable Beliefs: Humanism, Witches, and Human Rights
Before I went to Ghana I had no idea there were witches there. For me witchcraft accusations were of historical interest, not a contemporary concern. How wrong I was. Witchcraft accusations are … [Read more...]
From Just Us To All Of Us
I am not sure if awe inspiring authentic communities can be defined, but recent travels lead me to believe that I might know them when I see them. To truly witness such community is to become a part … [Read more...]
A Tale of Two Communities
How can we refuse those who come? A constant refrain as we visited Kukuo, a camp for alleged witches in northern Ghana, was that the accused women are part of the larger community not merely … [Read more...]
Interfaith Lessons Learned from a Witch Camp
Kukuo, in northern Ghana, is home to a camp for alleged witches. There women who have been accused of witchcraft come looking for safety. They come looking because if they stay home they are in … [Read more...]
Surprising Smiles with Accused Witches in Ghana
In Ghana, like much of Africa, belief in witchcraft is quite common. So are witchcraft accusations. The vast majority of accusations are levied at old women. Who can no longer produce children. … [Read more...]
Confessions of a Female Traveler Part II
Our first night in Ghana we stayed at a hostel just across the street from the beach—not too shabby. Naturally, almost immediately after dropping our bags, we were at the beach. We split up and the … [Read more...]
Toppled White Castles in Africa and America
I visited two slave castles recently—Cape Coast and Elmina in Ghana. I am rarely so aware of my skin color. I’m conscious that white privilege is why I am even able to say that. It is absolutely … [Read more...]
Gye Nyame Blog Post
I have never been so enveloped by religion as I have been in Ghana (and Uganda). I say this having spent time in Lhasa; Varanasi, India; Jerusalem; and Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Before you ask, … [Read more...]
Silly Obruni
Ghana is blue. I don’t mean it is sad, I mean it is tinted blue. So many light bulbs here are blue. I’m not talking in bars and clubs other places that are trying to achieve a certain atmosphere. … [Read more...]