Relations Ghana – Suriname (Suriname) – Typical South-South Cooperation

"The world must learn to work together, otherwise it will not work at all" – Dwight David – 34^th The American president

GEOGRAPHICALLY, THE REPUBLIC OF SURINAME (SURRON of the REPUBLIC in Dutch) is located at equator at latitude 5,063 and longitude 55,43. It is located on the South American continent and shares its borders with Guyana in the west, French Guiana in the east and Brazil in the south. The Atlantic Ocean runs along its coast to the north. This is what makes geography a very interesting subject. You are fascinated by the location of the different countries; the peoples who inhabit them; their main occupations; their food crops; et cetera – not to badume that Suriname is an island or landlocked country, or that locals eat raw meat as other non-geographers think.

It does not look like Suriname is a big country for its size of 164,000 square kilometers, nor for its population – about 585,000 (2018). Compare Ghana with an area of ​​?? 239 000 km 2 and a population of nearly 30 million inhabitants or Nigeria with an area of ​​924 000 km 2 and a population of about 196 million inhabitants . Suriname is a tropical country with alternating dry and rainy seasons and a tropical rain forest, a land where everything grows. The national flag is made of strips of green, white and red. Green represents fertility; white symbolizes justice and peace; and the red band characterizes love and patriotism; and there is a five-pointed yellow star that shows national unity and a "golden future".

The truly national dish is rice and chicken, although there are culinary varieties, given the ethnic background of the population, the main meal being eaten at 15:00. You can not miss "pom and pie". Large quantities of food are served during the "Bigi Yari" celebration of the jubilee year. Education is compulsory and free between six and twelve years old. Adult literacy is above 90%. When a typical Creole tells you: "No duration", it means "Stay cool". "Do not worry". This shows the relaxed atmosphere of the Surinamese community – just as Ghanaians will react to "Ete sen" (how is it done?) "Eye bokoo" (that's cool).

The national capital of Suriname is a 300 year old colonial city, Paramaribo, and about 280,000 inhabitants live in the Grand Paramaribo, with many wooden buildings. The many churches, synagogues, Hindu temples and mosques testify to the multiethnicity of the country. While the hymn is "May God be with our Suriname" (God zij met Suriname, in Dutch), his motto is: "Justice – Piety – Trust" (Justitia – Pietas – Fides). The official language is Dutch but the other languages ​​are: Akurio, Arawak – Lokono, Carib – Karinja, Sikiana – Kashuyana, Tiro – Tiriyo, Waioai, Warao, Wayana – and Sraman Tongo, Sarnami, Hindustani, Javanese, Chinese, English, Portuguese, French and Spanish widespread and heard by the population (Indians 27.4%, Marrons 21.7% Creoles 15.7%, Javanese 13.7%, Indians 3.8%, Chinese 1.5%, Europeans 1 % Other 1.8%).

In 1954, Suriname was a country in the Kingdom of the Netherlands after being considered a colony for more than 400 years. but the 25^th November 1975, the country reached an independent status. Readers who have a political sense may like the name of Désiré Delano Bourtese, who is the ninth president to have emerged from the country's military leadership to become an elected president. In 2000, he was sentenced to 11 years in prison for a drug-related offense, but his presidential status appears to have immunized him. Of course, the president has always denied the charges. Football-minded readers may be thrilled to hear of Edgar Davids, Floyd Hbadelbaink, Frank Rijkaard, Patrick Kluivert, Clarence Seedorf and Ruud Gullit, captain of the Dutch national team. won the UEFA Cup in 1988. 1990 FIFA World Cup. Gullit won the Golden Ball in 1987 and was crowned World Football Player in 1987 and 1989.

This was the country where Otumfuo Osei Tutu Asantehene had gone in November 2018, at the invitation of the 43^rd anniversary of independence. In Suriname, Otumfuo said, "(We) are here for a friendly mission, but we are also here to explore areas such as business development and investments that both Ghana and Suriname can mutually benefit from." The short speech of Otumfuo was a revelation. It was a positive action that should yield great results. To say that Otumfuo is a traditional development-oriented rule is simply a truism.

In the last Akwasidae (Sunday 14^th July 2019) a delegation from various Surinamese ministries visited Kumasi to celebrate the day with Asanteman. It was a very large gathering of peoples separated by more than 350 years since the Dutch seized Suriname in 1667, and about 215,000 people were taken there during the slave trade in the Atlantic. Some Surinamese have their roots in West Africa (especially in Ghana and Benin), and the sound of the talking drum (mpintin – as Surinamese call it) to summon people is similar to the one we have in Asante . Slaves are subjected to very harsh treatment by their Dutch slave masters, and some of them have "abandoned" themselves (called Maroons) and escaped into the vast jungle. The Dutch abolished slavery only in 1863, but the freed slaves had to work in the plantations to produce sugar, coffee, cocoa and cotton.

Surinamese seem to like the white color and their traditional chiefs are dressed like the Ghanaian navy. As part of their traditional attire, there is always a piece of fabric hanging on the shoulder or wrapped around the upper body and attached to a shoulder. It has always been a joy to see various important people attending one or the other ceremony in Manhyia. We owe it all to the initiative of Otumfuo Osei Tutu Ababio. The Logba delegation (near Ho in the Volta region) was warmly welcomed. The same was true for the Ghanaian Bar delegation led by veteran Paul Adu Gyamfi Esq. and Francis Kofi, Esq. whose presence was graciously recognized by Otumfuo.

The country was represented by Vice President Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia and Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, and Regional Deputy Minister, the Hon. Elizabeth Agyemang. Can we leave aside the honorable Osei Assibey, Mayor of Kumasi? Of course, the MMDCE NPP delegation, chaired by Regional President Antwi Boasiako and President Wontumi, was very visible. DCOP Kwasi Mensah-Duku could not "hide" because of his uniform, and seeing him, we remembered his usual presence at the "officers' mess".

Overall, the last Akwasidae was a very simple ceremony, very enjoyable, very educational. Otumfuo Osei Tutu had a kind word for everyone attending the ceremony – a great diplomacy. It was a day for traditional symbolism – no politicization.

Africanus Owusu – Ansah

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