Report by Naa Naa Korkor Leeyoo Watson-Nortey

The Journey
The journey lasted for 40minutes by vehicle. At a point, participants had to walk because the road was not good for vehicles to drive through. Being a fishing community, the ground was predominantly sea sand. Participants had to wear sandals which could be removed when the need arose. It is worth noting that the sand equally altered the manner in which one walked. Occasionally, participants waded in the water. Though refreshing to have water splashing tired feet it did not mean the walk was over. The walk lasted for 30minutes until participants were met by the primary resource person Enoch, popularly known as ‘Panity.’

The Interaction
Interaction started at 10:00am. Dr. Otchere began with the purpose of gathering by giving details of the visit which primarily sits on culture and related to the research areas of the graduate students.

About Asekyerebedzi
The inhabitants were given the settlement by the people Moree, a suburb lying along the coast of the Central Region. Asekyerebedzi is believed to be where the people of Moree kept their gods. Till present, the inhabitants of Asekyerebedzi have lived in harmony with the people of Moree. They even trade and work with them.
Asekyerebedzi has a river, which stretches to join the Empa River into Mankessim, another Fante speaking settlement in the Mfantsiman Constituency of the Central Region.

The town Asekyerebedzi tends to inhabits individuals who settle along the coast of Ghana. In view of this the languages spoken are mixed but one can tell that these languages hail from individuals living along the fishing communities in Ghana. These languages include Ada, Fante, Senya, Ewe. However, Twi is the only language spoken out the languages which does not originate from any of the fishing communities.
Asekeyerebedzi was discovered in 1961 by Torgbui Tudorbor II of blessed memory. He had 8 wives and 28 children. His daughter and Princess, Janet Afua Abogah is passionate about the welfare of Asekeyerebedzi. In view of this, she lives most of her time in the village community.

Although the discovery of the town is connected to Torgbui Tudorbor II, other individuals including Nanabanyin from Cape Coast, Agya Sekuame of Woara Beba, Winneba all of blessed memory sought permission to secure to the space at Asekyerebedzi and developed it into a fishing community. Moses Asiki Otutei made it known that, the inhabitants pay royalties to the people of Moree. These royalties includes the coconut plants along the coast on the community.

Settling Disputes in the community
Every issue in the community is settled amicably among members of the community. Being a small community, everyone is well-known to one another hence disputes are not prolonged. When disputes are not settled amicably, it is then taken to a higher traditional court although such instances are not common.

Inheritance
Although the inhabitants hail from different towns, Moses Asiki Otutei admits that they still trace to their roots hometowns. Moses is the son of the first linguist of Asekyerebedzi. He took the role of the caretaker after the death of his father. However, he may not be able to pass on that role to his son.

Marriage
The community believes in the institution of marriage. Although they are not financial stable, they thrive to provide all the necessary requirement needed for contracting marriage. Some of the items include but not limited to:

• 6 half piece cloths
• 6 scarfs
• Beads
• Necklaces

These items may increase depending on the financial status of the individual involved. When pregnancies are involved the groom may add childcare items to the engagement items. They believe in polygamy. Moses Asiki has two wives and eleven (11) children. Enoch has one wife and three (3) children. Due to their hard work, Moses Asiki believes marrying more than one wife will not be a burden on women.

Economic Status of the inhabitants
It was noticed on the day of visit that most of the women were not available. This is because they travel on Tuesdays to Mankessim to sell the fish their husbands bring from fishing. The main work of the men is fishing and their women are into the smoking of the fish and the sales as well.

As result of this, their fear is the impending closure of the sea to halt fishing activities for two months along the coasts of Ghana. They expressed their state of being unemployed as a result of the closure. They were also quick to add the advantage that the closure will bring.

Let’s talk about some taboos
Moses Asiki shared some dos and donts of the fisherman. To him, some canoes used for fishing must be pacified and cleaned periodically. If the necessary rites are not performed, the fisherman is likely to be unproductive. A fisherman must not drink alcohol when he knows he will be going fishing the next day. He must also stay away from being intimate with a woman. When any of these things are done, it may ‘defile’ the canoe which will lead to unproductive catch.

Entertainment
Unfortunately, there are no means of entertainment. However, in December, during Christmas, the fishermen buy jerseys, form teams and play tournaments. This is how Enoch earned the name ‘Panity’ a corrupted word for ‘Penalty’ because, on one of those occasions during the tournament, he saved all balls taken as penalty. Our primary resource person is a genius.

One other aspect of their means of entertainment is their work songs. It is a delight to watch how Dr. Otchere performed most of these work songs with Enoch and during the fishing experiences. The songs are themed on Marriage, Divorce, Hard work, Love and other social issues. They are also didactic in nature because the lyrics teach moral lessons.

The women of Asekyerebedzi
Although the women are hardworking, they are mainly dependent on their men. They are also dedicated to taking care of their children. They understand the concept of rape in marriage but also admit that, a woman once married belongs to her husband. They have formed support groups with other women in Moree. They learn some skills which are job generating avenues to create extra money. The support groups also offer lending opportunities to some of these women.

Religion
Most of the inhabitants are Christians. They join denominations such as Assemblies of God, Pentecost and Apostolic churches to worship.

Education
There is no school in the community. Parents who desire to educate their wards must go outside the community. They expressed their worry about the stretch of the Empa River in that, with time it may be a treat and an impediment for children of school going age to cross. There are no Primary or Second Cycle School facilities in the community.

Health
The community has no hospital facility. Inhabitants seeking healthcare, travel outside the community for healthcare.

The fishing experience and a ride on the river
Official interaction with the resource persons ended at 12:30pm. The SDG team together with groups of fisher folks engaged in fishing experience. We were also taken on a boat ride on the Empa River.

Click here to watch the documentary film.

Participants

Mawukplorm Harriet Abla Adjahoe, Richardson Commey Fio, Naa Korkor Leyoo Watson-Nortey, Richard Ametefe, Gloria Adu Ofori, Dr. Sabina Appiah Boateng, Dr. Eric Otchere Debrah, Jehoshaphat Philip Sarbah, Bismark Ofori, Isaac Kum, Enoch Panity, Hansen Hornam, Moses Asiki Otutei, Janet Afua Abogah, Araba Dzidzor, Emmanuel Adjei, Francis Gavor, Enoch Quason, Bright Kuntu-Blankson, Ernest Sarkodie, Charles Antwi, Emmanuel Asante, Kakraba Aggrey, Abieku Kofi Santana, John Azadzi