Takoradi
So I am currently in Takoradi spending time with Family. Actually I arrived here on Wednesday 16th. It is always a trip which I look forward to whenever I am in Ghana. I went to the Internal Flights section on Tuesday to purchase my ticket for Wednesday. As usual, I had the option to go with Africa World or Starbow. I choose Starbow. I was not impressed. When it got to my turn to be served, the lady blanked me for about 8 minutes doing something on her computer screen before acknowledging me as requiring her attention. Nothing like “sorry for keeping you waiting”, you know, the usual customer service lingo you offer when you have kept a customer waiting. I was not in the mood to point out her customer service skills. I had the feeling that sooner or later, someone would let her know her failings.
The flight cost GHC670.00, which I think is a bit steep. Then again, I think the fare has increased. I cannot recall how much I paid for my trip last year. It should not be difficult for me to find out. I am sure I have a copy of the receipt somewhere.
Wednesday morning found me at the airport around 8.00AM. Word of warning, if you have a flight scheduled to take off in the morning from Kotoka International Airport, make sure that you leave home/base location in well enough time. The morning traffic in Accra can be killing and without giving yourself sufficient time to leave home/base location, you will definitely miss your flight if you stretch things thinly.
My flight was scheduled to take off from Kotoka International Airport [KIA] at 9.10AM, and guess what? Yes you guessed right our flight was delayed for almost 45 minutes. The beauty of it was that after announcing the flight and us going through checkin, no staff from Starbow thought it necessary for us to be informed of why the flight was delayed. Typical!
The flight was uneventful and landed at Takoradi Airport at 11.20AM.
I have not been into the town centre yet, but driving home from the airport confirmed my suspicions; no investment has been pumped into the roads in town. Building construction is static. Come to think of it, I don’t remember building construction to be evident on my last visit last year.
Something I did not expect, the power issue is much better here than in my hood Nyaniba Estates. There has certainly been an improvement in the power situation in Takoradi.
I made time to take a ride with Pastor Theo to a spot called Harbour View. From the drinking spot one has an excellent view of Takoradi Harbour and GHACEM. I have never been to Tema Harbour, but I have read in the past of various upgrade projects initiated there to cater for the increased number of vessels and trade. Considering the volume of ships that use Tema Harbour, it is fair to say that it is a much bigger harbour than Takoradi. I believe there is some degree of harbour expansion going on at Takoradi Harbour.
We didn't hang around Harbour View for long. Pastor Theo made a quick call to my nephew Eugene who works for GHACEM. He actually popped over to meet us at Harbour View. He was on his way to GSTS with his friend who is part of the IT Team at GHACEM for a football training session. I was very impressed when they told me that GHACEM has purchased a Quadcopter Drone to assist them in various strategic decision making. Considering the large area GHACEM occupies, this is the most logic tool to employ when one needs information based on feedback from an area footage. Nice move.
Anyway, we all made our way to GSTS [Ghana Secondary Technical School]. I remember GSTS from the days I was in Secondary School. Unfortunately I have never had the opportunity of visiting the school till today. I have always thought this secondary school was situated outside of Takoradi, why, don't ask. Like most most of the very good secondary schools in the country, GSTS has not escaped neglect. It is such a shame. The structures are practically begging for repairs here and there, not to mention a touch of painting.
