Accra kadabra – see you in court

Headlines from Ghana in local newspapers and other media during the week tell us that there will be no change in judgement date despite looming JUSAG (Judicial staff Assosiation of Ghana) strike. “There will be peace, no matter the verdict”, Ghanaians seem to be certain that The Supreme Court will rule this in favour of Ghana and the judgement must be trusted.

You can feel the tension and excitement when you talk to the ordinary people and workers in shops and in restaurants. Some of them are in favor of the ruling President John Mahama and some for the opponent Nana Akufo-Addo. Alledgibly all shops will be closed when people seek themselves in front of television, or then not. Some say that there will be huge celebrations if the opponent will win but so say those who prefer current president to continue at service. There are also those who are afraid of turbulences, demonstrations or even a chaos to accure. Last night news from the Togo border predicted that many Ghanaians would “escape” from Ghana to Togo, just to avoid confrontation or fights against the other party. At the moment in our hotel, personnel show no sign that there´s anything unusual in their work day. But I can assure to you that the HEAT IS ON!

My colleagues have already gone for work. They are lucky to experience this historic moment of Ghana at work and get valuable information how ordinary service sector worker see and take the news of outcome of todays ruling.

Katri is out somewhere in town to make an interview of a local miner. Maria has a task for PamPlus and I´ll join her as an observer and reporter. Later this evening, the three of us will start our evening shift in Imperial Peking Restaurant for the second day.

Distances are quite long here and the traffic is pretty hectic in every normal day, so you can imagine how this judgement day will affect to the queues. All traffic and motor transportation will be blocked on the court area, and every suspicious vehicle will be transformed elsewhere, obviously.

We´ve noticed that police activities have increased a lot this week on the streets. Almost in every main street there are police patrols controlling the traffic, protecting people and in my opinion they are also there to neutralize any disturbances that may accure. Yesterday we witnessed tanks and the riot troops to arrive. I´m sure, that the heliforce will take their positions today. We are witnessing and experiencing one of the Ghanas present time historic event´s - exciting times to remember for the rest of our lives.

For me and Maria, as a media reps, this is a priceless opportunity to absorbe the atmosphere live, in streets of Accra. About the photo shooting - it is a challenge.  When we want to take pictures or tape videos here we are amazed by how few people want their pictures taken. Some of them have actually been hostile towards us. Once we almost got stoned by on man by the chags near our hotel and just because he saw a camera. Rule number one is that you ask permission to take a photo before you take it.

We have taken general pictures and video safely when we have been on the move by our van. When the van stands or stays put e.g. in traffic lights on due to queues, we are careful for not taking any close pictures, just a precaution. It´s safe to take pictures from the moving car.

Our evening shift should end near the midnight but for the security reasons we´ll finish our shif earlier and leave from the rural area 20.30 at latest.

Merja