From Tennis to Everything You Do in Life

With over 20 years playing tennis, I thought I could never be as good as the ones I had dreamed of. I am not even talking of stars such as Federer and Nadal, but more realistic ones such as the player who was nearly 20 years older than me but beat me in straight sets.

However, recent things have changed my perception. And now, more than ever, I believe I can beat the top guns inside my playing circle, and even some good players in the city. What have changed? It all started from a new coach and new perspective.

This new coach, let’s call him Eric, is not even a good coach by popular judgment. A tennis buddy even warned me that Eric is a good player, but doesn’t have a clue about coaching. Terrible, I was warned.

But hey, there is no deny about Eric being the No.1 player inside the Tennis Club, I believe that there must be something that Eric has that I can learn from. So I signed up. And I have seen changes kept coming ever since.

Eric has no mercy; he doesn’t treat trainees like trainees, but professional players in training. Eric believe that everyone can be equally qualified to be playing tennis just as well as him, if they put the right amount of practice, right attitude and never give up and give in.

I immediately felt the difference of the perspective change in my tennis. I was thrilled by the feeling of hitting the balls like a pro, the desire to improve, the determination to keep going even I was ready to collapse, and in return, the tangible improvement pushes me to move forward further and further.

Eric is not only bad at pleasing you so you will feel good about yourself, at the expenses of releasing your full potential and achieving the maximum goals, he is also bad at saving people’s face. “Where is your stamina?” “Your forms mess up”, he would say, to your face, so you will correct right away.

Coaches like Eric are not for everyone; you do have to stomach constructive suggestions, to-you-face comments and everything in between.

It has been going on for two months; I still have a long way to go towards my goal of beating the local stars with flying colors.

Do you have such a coach in your life that can motivate you to constantly improve?

Let me leave one quote with you, “You stop playing not because you become old, you become old because you stop playing.”

Ghana views China favorably

According to a newly released BBC poll, China is viewed highly favorably among Ghanaian public.

The poll shows that 72 percent of surveyed view Beijing in a positive view, up by 9% from last year. Ghana is also ranked second, only next to another West African country, Nigeria which have 85% share favorable views of China. In general, Africans share the good impression of China, in East African nation Kenya, the poll find that 73% like China.

Beijing is certainly taking note of these positive views reflected in Africa, at a recent interview, Chinese diplomat Liu Guangyuan cited the data, saying that, whether China is good or bad to Africa, let Africans judge.

"I am not going to explain anything, because I know that actions speak louder than word and seeing is believing. It is for the African people to judge whether China is good or bad for them. "

Liu also recognized a lack of voices in Chinese engagement in Africa, he said, due to an introverted personality, Chinese are preferring doing rather than saying. "Of course, we should try to change a little bit in this aspect by improving our publicity and raising our voices. More support and understanding from our African friends are most needed and deeply appreciated, especially those from the African media friends. "

Japanese Earthquake seen from Ghana

The near Sentai, Japan centered earthquake has shockwaves all over the world, even in the West African nation of Ghana, news spread out quickly about the disastrous event.

On the same day, the Japanese Ambassador Katakami paid a farewell courtesy call to the Ghanaian President Mills. According to Ghana News Agency report, Mills expressed sympathy towards the Japanese people and hope to see a strengthened Japan emerging from the disaster.

Katakami expressed his government's assistance and hope to see Ghana to develop into an African Tiger.

However, the tie has not always smooth. Last year, the death of Ghanaian men at a Tokyo detention facility has prompted his Japanese wife to challenge Japanese government, asking for a appeal.

Outgunned in Africa by China, Japan has been playing catch up. Katakami has made efforts in his part to restore a yen-loan to Ghana that was previously suspended.

China, No more a Nation riding on Bikes

China is no longer a nation on bikes, can you believe it?

Without seeing it, I can't believe myself. But upon returning from a recent trip, I have no doubt that China is no more riding on bikes.

Just less than two years ago when I was there, the bikes were still everywhere, many of them are electronic bikes. However, even these e-bikes are only occasionally spotted on the streets, most likely on back streets.

Where are these bikes?

One reason is the fast growing car-owning class, who have since retired their bikes and start the four-wheel life. The previous car-owners, such as businessmen, sales or private enterprise managers are also replaced with school teachers, civil servants and other salary earners. Owning a car is no longer a dream, but a reachable goal.

Another reason is the unfriendlier road riding experience. In the past, since most of Chinese ride bikes to work, go shopping, picking and dropping kids and just about any other errands, the bike lines were wide and plenty. However, nowadays, the bike lines, as explained by New Yorker Beijing writer Even Osnos, are getting a facelift. The three classes all have trade offs, and the cyclists have to consider before setting for a ride. Sounds like a hassle?

Last reason, I think, is the culture perception of class. In China, a strong views associating certain things with a profession. Jeans and backpacks? Students. People with white scrubs are either physicians or dentists, (even illegal street corner dentists have to were these). So bicycles are considered as a thing of poor people (painters and day laborers waiting on the street), or poor students. If you have money, why riding a bike?

However, I had no problem riding one around. The fresh air just unbeatable to seating inside a bus. I just wish the bike lines will still be there, for many years to come. Because, with the soaring oil prices and unrest in the Middle East, the bikes may well be coming back in a big way.

(AP photo)

Ghana's new battleground?

Entering 2011, Ghana has seen a flurry of high level visits from China and U.S., the density of the visits could indicate an ongoing competition between the two giants in the African country.

First U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg came for a visit during his six-nation African tour which took him from Sudan, where a historic referendum to split the largest African nation took place, to neighboring Djibouti, and then to Eastern African countries Ethiopia and Kenya and then to Western African Ghana.

Following his heels, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Marantis visited Accra before heading on to Monrovia, Liberia. While in Ghana, he held a media availability disclosing that the bilateral trade between the U.S. and Ghana surpassed $4.8 billion and pledged to review the trade initiatives and opportunities available to Ghanaian businesses to make them more attractive.

"“We are working with the Ghanaian government on trying to identify new export opportunities for Ghanaian products into the US market,” he was quoted by local JoyFM.

For Beijing's part, right before the Feb. 3 Chinese New Year celebration even ended, Chinese vice president of People's Political Consultative Conference has arrived in Accra Feb. 13 for a visit on his African tour which took him later to Uganda and Mozambique. Mr. Li Zhaozhuo met the Ghanaian President Mills and House Speaker.

Following the heels of Mr. Li from CPPC, the Chinese Minster of Commerce, an influential agency who is overseeing China's foreign investment, commerce and assistance, visited Ghana Feb.15. Minister Chen met Ghanaian President Mills, Hannah Tetteh, Minister of Trade and Industry, and Kwabena Duffuor, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning

China's Export-Import Bank signed the preferential export buyer's credit loan agreement on e-government platform projects with the Ghana, at the meetings.

Ghana is China’s fourth export market in Central and West Africa. In 2010, bilateral trade value hit US$2.056 billion, breaking through US$2 billion for the first time, up by 27.5% year on year, said the statement from MOC of China.

African's Chinese Dream

Coming back from a trip to China, I can't help noticing increasing number of Africans working and living in Chinese cities.

Every foreigner is called Laowai in Chinese, and Africans, especially sub-Sahara Africans are in particular noticeable due to their dark skin color. During the morning rush hour, you will encounter passing a young black lady who might on her way to work. There are estimated around 200,000 Africans in the Southern city Guangzhou alone, the number could be fluctuate largely due to many of them are staying illegally and underground.

While waiting for a flight in Accra some time last year, I met a Ghanaian who is doing business in the Northeastern city of Xi'an, mainly dealing used PC, the business model is quite sustainable as he has since established himself. He also found a group of countrymen, most of Africans pursuing their Chinese Dreams are men in 30s-40s, they are religious and go to a local church on Sundays, and eat together after the services.

"we are living a separate lives than the Chinese, we don't interact except for business purpose." The middle-aged Ghanaian businessman told me. He added that the money is easier and opportunities are plenty, however, separating from families can easily draw down spirits some time.

I sensed a bitterness in his feelings towards Chinese attitude towards Africans. While we talked, there was another Chinese man in his 20s waiting for a flight going back to his hometown in Shandong province. The Chinese questioned the Ghanaian, bluntly, the authenticity of their worship for God. (The Ghanaian, while answered the question, obviously offended and moved away where the Chinese man sat)

One information looking for animal breeding beds sellers, posted on Xian's public info protal,
requesting no inquiry/response from Africans.

As more and more locals I met in Accra look to China as the New Continent, instead of traditionally U.S. or Europe to realize their dreams for a better life, China will likely see more Africans flowing in. However, unless there is more positive description and real attitude change towards these dark-skinned dream seekers, there will likely more bitterness felt in both groups.

African Perspective of Hu-Obama Meet

While Chinese president Hu Jintao and U.S. president Obama dined and lunched inside the White House, the Africans are watching the leaders of the two biggest economies with high interests.

Recently, Africa has become a new frontier for both the countries, who are eager to win hearts and mind and influence on the largest voting bloc at United Nations. The natural resource rich continent also has the largest untapped reserves that both countries need.

However, the Africa is hardly on the top of the two leaders' agenda at their meetings in Washington. U.S. will be eager to sign orders and create jobs for millions of Americans, and the Chinese want to put a stormy year of bilateral relationship to a safe harbor, at least for now.

As Obama will be on the road again to visit African continent this year, and China will unquestionably send their high level envoys to African capitals as well, just they did in the past, the competition is not over at all, it just started.

Not too long, the collaboration between China and the U.S. in Africa will also become one of the top agendas when Hu and Obama meet.

Harmatan, the season of dust

Right from the New Year to Feb, here in Ghana is a season called Harmatan,when the hot and dusty wind is blown down from the Sahara to the West African countries.

During the two winters I have spent here in Accra, this year the Harmatan haze is particularly and noticeably bad. Through this whole week, everyday the sky has never cleared, the sun was half visible. Unlike Winter foggy days, the temperature is still hovering around 80 degree (20 degree Celsius). The fine dusty particles are everywhere and have made people coughing and avoid going outdoor.

Even the raining season will be still several months away, but one rainy break in the middle of dusty haze will be so much welcomed.

(photo courtesy: Flikr/hiyori)

Sea Urchin Hunters

These hunters are not diving into the sea for the sea urchins, a delicacy but rarely consumed by the locals. They are standing and bending over near the water level to quickly uproot the prickly creatures using a 6 inch iron stick with a hook in the top.

The waves from the Gulf of Guinea are strong and sometimes exceed the hunters height, as they were focusing on locating their "crops", they also had to make sure not being sucked away by the strong current. Another peril is the sea urchins themselves, as they can sting and make human skin itchy and hurt.

Coastal Erosion in Ghana

Yesterday I witnessed the first hand coastal erosion in Till's No.1 beach, a popular beach front getaway located 1.5 hour driving from Accra. The rocky formation is relatively new, as the last time I was there, around two month ago, the section was still sandy. However, possibly due largely to the prolonged rain season of this year, the sandy section has now become more of a rocky coastline.

According to Wikipedia, "On non-rocky coasts, coastal erosion results in dramatic rock formations in areas where the coastline contains rock layers or fracture zones with varying resistance to erosion."

Ghanaians working for Chinese

Yesterday was Friday, and I went to the Chinese Embassy in town to get a document done. While some embassies have already closed down shops around 12:30PM, the consular section at the Chinese Embassy opens until 5pm on every Friday. Their hours opening to the public are Monday, Wed and Friday, three hours in the morning and 2 hours in the evening.

Entering the waiting area, two young Ghanaian ladies were manning the two windows, one on the left is for document submission, on the right is payment and collection. There were three people in total in the whole waiting room: two customers stood at the left. Was it due to the fact of Friday afternoon close to five or that less Ghanaian interests in going to China?

While since there are actually no seats available, so I flipped through a local Chinese language papers while on my feet. My turn came, and I walked up to the window and turned in my document. However, besides the files they listed on the website, the lady asked for additional documents, such as identification for my relatives, invitation letters. The obtaining of the documents will require substantial back and forth communications. I determined to present my case, remembering well it's a Chinese run facility and even she is a Ghanaian, after all, she is working for the Chinese.

After much explanation, and after she had to go back to her Chinese boss to explain my case, finally, the lady asked me to write a letter in Chinese, instead of the document. Something like an application but with all the information on where and how long for my stay, who I see and their address and contact information.

I then was told to pay a fee for the document, which is higher than the fee charged for the same document in Washington, USA. When I inquired about the extreme of the fee, given the income condition in the country as Ghana, the lady said, they charge more for people to go to the U.S. I have yet heard the reasoning. China is now the It place to visit, even for Ghanaians?

Then I realized that next Friday will be Dec. 24th, the Christmas Eve and here is very religious, 75% of population are Christians. Yes, I was told that the two ladies will be here and the office will be open, just as another Friday workday.

Wow, when did the Ghanaian working for the Chinese become so much more like Chinese, workaholic and effectively intense?

Gomoa Oguaa, Ghana Central Region

During the week of Nov. 20, a group of us set foot in Gomoa Oguaa, a town located in the Ghana's Central Region. The people entertained us as much as our presence entertained them. Kids were excited, following us around. The locals not only told us their folk stories, but accompanied them with songs and dance. The following video clip captured the scene.

Agbogbloshie, E-waste

Agbogbloshie market is surprisingly closer to the center of Accra than I thought. It is only a few hundred meters away from ever-expanding Makola Market, which is in the very center of Accra.

With the smokes and flames, and thick toxic air filled with fumes from burning tires, electric wires and computer cases, the area is also densely populated. It is crowded even on a national holiday mid-morning. The market vendors, most are selling tomatoes, yams from the Northern part of the country and plantains, market goers and many scrabble metal collectors and workers that burn the e-waste to get them.

On this day, I talked to a boy named Maxwell, who claimed he is 15 years old. Coming from Bolgatanga, the center of Upper East region close to Bukina Faso border, Maxwell is the most vocal and thus the de-facto leader of seven boys from the same village.

A typical day for the boys start from 8 am and go to 4pm, most of them work six days a week. Some work every day. The burning process takes place in the morning, and then in the afternoon, they will sort out the metals and pieces, the most valuable is copper, which is sought after by vendors talking to the boys where I was there.

Maxwell has stopped going to school since last year, so are the other boys. He earned 10 cedis ($8) a day, sometime less. He sends most of them to parents to support siblings at home.

To these boys, the most exciting thing is to go home to visits families. Maxwell said he will be hitting home on 26th.

"But I will come back."

Ghana Reaches Out To Bosai's Hometwon For Investment

If you are not a news junkie, Bosai may not be sounding familiar. However, as the historical loan agreement signed between China and Ghana, the Chinese company is getting more attention. Its name was mentioned by the Ghanaian Minster of Industry and Trade, Ms. Hanna Tetteh in her speech to the Parliament of Ghana in explaining the loan agreeement.

Bosai is the largest stakeholder, owns 80% of Ghana Bauxite Co.

Out of the largest loan agreement for Ghana, $3 billion will be developed as a joint venture by Bosai, Government of Ghana and China African Development Fund.

Now, Ghana government is also reaching to Bosai's backyard. The Chongqing based company brought the attention back to the largest Chinese city, created by combining several megacities.

According to Chinese media report, a delegation from Accra visited Chongqing looking for investment in Coco processing and Chololate making, (not that Chinese are known for), but also in hotels, agriculture, ICT, infrastrcture.

People in Chongqing is known for eatting spaces, Sichuan cuisine also enjoys popularity here in Accra. Maybe more Bosais will be emerging?

Where will the $10 billion go?

The recent loan agreement between China and Ghana has generated a lot of interests. The focus, obviously, is on the sheer size, but more importantly, where will the money spent on?

Due to a nature of combination of giant loans and smaller ones, the money maize is not evidently easy to crack. Here is my initial research:

The largest part is $5.9 billion committed by China Export-Import Bank. The money will fund around 19 projects identified between Ghana and China. They include health, agriculture, railway, roads and education sectors. Ghana has the right to propose alternative projects.

$3 billion will be from China Development Bank, which agreed to fund gas commercialization in the Western Ghana Region, including a gas processing plant in Bonyere, to utilize gas discovered at Jubilee and Sankofa oil fields.

At least $262 million will be used for water and sanitation. They include $250 million to support on-gong rehabilitation of Kpong Water Works and $12 million for building boreholes for rural communities and a modern sports complex and Kotokraba Market in Cape Coast.

Additional $20 million interest free loan will be used to construct fish landing sites in coast areas in the Central Region. The Ministry of Industry and Trade Tetteh said the loan comes with 2 percent interest rate and repayable over 20 years.