WAITING AT THE BEREKUM STATION

It was a very dark night when the VIP Coach eventually pulled into Berekum. The passengers were travel weary from the long and tedious journey. But they pulled their hand luggage from the overhead shelves, and quietly disembarked. Several mothers had babies strapped to their backs; and most of those infants were sound asleep. Some people had food and drink on which they quietly feasted. As they slowly made their way down the crowded aisle of the coach. The hot Ghanaian air struck us all in the face, and deeply penetrated our clothing to reach the surface of each passenger’s skin. As we left the comfortable air conditioned atmosphere of the bus. We all faced new challenges now. Not just the sudden change in body temperature. But also to find a vacant room at a nearby hotel. Or to secure some form of accommodation, somewhere, for the night. I quickly pulled out my smartphone and called my female friend. I was looking forward to spending the night, in the beautiful and luxurious mansion, portrayed in the pictures she had sent to me. A woman answered the phone with a typical Ghanaian ‘Hello.’ No announcement of any name, or other form of self identification. I informed her who I was. Advising her that I had arrived in Berekum. She wasn’t surprised or taken aback in any way. Because I had called and spoken with her, upon my arrival at the Kotoka International Airport. She informed me that she would get her brothers, then come to meet me at The Berekum Station, as soon as possible. I waited patiently in the stillness of the night. Darkness surrounded me on every side. There might have been a few street lights here and there. But the lights were dim. I saw one armed uniformed soldier on the other side of the road. He was dressed in full military fatigue and brandished a formidable semi automatic rifle. Otherwise the area was desolate at around 1:00 A.M. I stood with my suitcase, alone and solitary as a stranger on a deserted island. Waiting and wondering if my female friend would ever arrive with her brothers. After about one and a half hours not only did they actually show up, but they also found me. I was tired, sleepy, confused and anxious. What on Earth had I now gotten myself into, I wondered? Being six thousand miles away from home and modernity, and also in a strange third world country. I attempted to find some self consolation by reminding myself that this was a journey that I had planned. Berekum, I discovered was a small dusty town. Located in the heart of The Brong Ahafo Region. Approximately 45 minutes drive by taxi, from the regional capital of Sunyani. All of the passengers that got off the VIP coach with me had vanished. They had all been picked up by relatives or friends. Or had boarded a taxi to a nearby hotel. My new found friends greeted me. The lady with whom I had been in contact was short and brown in complexion. Her two brothers were tall and slender.