{TGIA – Thank God it’s Africa, is my weekly look at the weird and wonderful things that happen when you’re living in Africa.  Sometimes they’re funny, sometimes they’re a little dangerous, sometimes they’re a heady combination of the two. On a continent which faces many challenges, populated with people of extraordinary ingenuity, it makes for some good times.}

Life is never black and white is it?

Well, sometimes, especially when you live in Africa, it is. Quite literally.

From bibini (lit. black man or African) to obruni (lit.white man), each term can be laced with their own cultural prejudices and expectations. But there is, as often as not, a refreshing honesty about colour here. If the kids in Konongo want my attention, it’s “Obuni!’ they yell. Fair enough, that’s what I am (but I do prefer it when they call me Abena, or Ama, or…almost anything else really).

So I was intrigued with this shop in Kumasi for months before I finally paid a visit. After all, I am a white (wo)man, and what decoration could I find in this little store that would set me racing for my wallet?

IKEA furniture?

The latest from the Apple store?

Fair trade coffee?

Alas (for me at least), car accessories.

So I picked up some new windscreen wipers and car mats. None the wiser really. But my car is looking good.

Have a listen to the fab Kwabena Kwabena’s Bibini album here.

Have a great weekend.

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