body-container-line-1
03.09.2015 Opinion

Happy New Year, Sons And Daughters Of Jacob, From Kaneshie With Love

By Isaac Clottey
Happy New Year, Sons And Daughters Of Jacob, From Kaneshie With Love
03.09.2015 LISTEN

As soon as news of Avram Grant’s appointment as head coach of the Black Stars broke, my dad called me on the phone to express his joy and bragged contently of his prediction earlier that Avram will be given the job. My dad’s affection for the State of Israel goes way back to the early 1980’s when I vividly remember my mum together with my toddling brother and me going to pick him from Kotoka International Airport after his only visit to the ‘Promised Land’.

Never had I seen my father look as cheerful as he did on his return, as I recollect the stories he bombarded us with on our way home. I was cheery too; because I was simply buoyed on by the thoughts of my goodies stuffed in one of his suitcases and not necessarily his never ending narratives on Israel. He kept on eulogising about the country and I could feel he was smitten by the sights, sounds and smells of Tel Aviv. Alas! Israel was not in heaven as I reassured myself even though he was convinced Israel was indeed God’s chosen people. A view he still holds, even though I keep reminding him we are all God’s children. Days that followed were spent decorating our home with Israel flags and mementos.

I am no exception, and as a child I held on to some of my father’s beliefs and interests and naturally became curious to what the hullabaloo about the State of Israel was, especially after he framed a huge portrait of himself floating in the Dead Sea in the Judean desert. So my lifelong curiosity began.

Accidentally on a radio show on the then GBC FM a few years later, I heard a Ga Wulomo (tribal chief priest of the Gas), retelling the history of Gas. I recall him saying Gas were originally a part of the 12 tribes of Israel, Gad to be precise and had migrated through Egypt, Sudan, Nigeria, Benin, plus Togo and finally settled where they are today. He revealed a lot of similarities and common traditions between the Jews and the Ga tribe. Of course that only added fuel to my curiosity as a Ga boy. I have heard many of my Rastafarian and African traditionalist friends link several of our traditions and customs such as sprinkling of Kpekple (unleaved bread made from corn); circumcision; animal sacrifice and sprinkling of their blood on altars and doorposts; and marrying a deceased brother’s wife as part of some Jewish heritage some Ghanaian tribes still uphold.

Then again I recently stumbled on an article on the internet about a Ghanaian Jewish community settled in New Adiembra at Sefwi Wiaso. The piece highlighted the existence of the ‘House of Israel’, a wholly Ghanaian Jewish community of about 200 residents. Founded by Aaron Ahomtre Toakyirafa in 1976 or thereabouts, they strictly adhere to the Jewish dietary law restricting the consumption of pork. They have a Rabbi (teacher of the Hebrew holy book, Torah) and a synagogue for worship and they also religiously observe the Sabbath (Jewish day of rest) on Saturdays. Even though they are acknowledged on the Israel in Ghana website, it is not certain if they are recognised officially as a Jewish community in Ghana by the Israeli government.

My father is just one of the millions of Ghanaians who have developed an emotional attachment to the State of Israel, consciously and in some cases unconsciously.

Israel evokes emotional attention when mentioned in most parts of Ghana mainly due to two reasons; the Middle East quagmire and Christianity. Let’s not forget that the State of Israel took its name from Abraham’s descendent Jacob, who was renamed Israel after his encounter with an angel, as the Christian holy book the Bible recounts.

Of course, Ghana and the Jewish nation like in most friendships have had on and off moments in history. Officially Ghana and Israel established relations in 1956 just before Ghana attained independence; the Jewish state had then declared its independence eight years earlier, in 1948 and adopted the name Israel. Interestingly both liberated themselves from the British. Even though bilateral and diplomatic relations progressed till the Yom Kippur war in 1973, when relations collapsed, local Christians and the Bible had opened a never ending relationship that has defied politics.

From when Ghanaians accepted Christianity as a religion, the State of Israel had been reserved a soft spot in the hearts of many Ghanaians. This is largely due to the acceptance of Jesus Christ as the messiah and saviour; and the richness of Jewish history as documented in the Bible. The goodwill towards the State of Israel built over time has and continues to give the Hebrew speaking nation a positive gloss in the midst of the Middle East volatile situation.

After three decades of strained relations, the two countries have re-established diplomatic ties and reopened embassies in their respective capitals since 2011. For many Ghanaians, it is now time for a vibrant relationship between the two nations to blossom. But how do re-established relations help the citizens of both countries? I do not know the foreign policies of both countries in relation to themselves but what I do know is that Israel has succeeded in becoming one of the most technologically advanced societies in the area of agriculture and agro technology; defence and space technology; and solar energy. It also prides itself in achievements in science and innovations particularly in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, nanotechnology, software development, and communications backed by a flourishing economy. Can we tap in?

Israel has partnered Ghana in various areas of our socio economic endeavours since formal relations began between the two countries. With the help of the Israelis and India, Ghana established its air force in 1959. It can be recalled that the Israelis assisted Ghana to implement Dr. K.A Busia’s sewerage plan for Accra until the Yom Kippur war broke out in the Middle East in the early 70’s. Leading construction firm in Israel, Sonitra, which executed the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange project among many others, have been a major player in the local construction industry since 1992.

The recently commissioned Urban Water Rehabilitation Project for the Tema Metropolis, a joint project between the Israeli and Dutch governments, had a $19million Israeli funding, with locally registered Israeli company, TAHAL Group executing the project. I also recall when the Melcom Mall collapsed at Achimota; the Israeli government sent an emergency response team including doctors, trauma specialists, and sniffer dogs to assist. I even hear the over $200 million loan for the construction of the University of Ghana Teaching Hospital is coming from Jerusalem. Amen.

It therefore gladdens my heart to reminisce all the wonderful stories my father recounted to us over 30 years ago as the Jewish state celebrates its new year. It is so, simply because the history and survival of this beautiful and blessed country and its industrious people remains harshly obscured by recurring events in the Middle East. After the holocaust; and with an ongoing antagonism Israel faces in its nationhood, it is simply phenomenal how Israel has been able to create a strong and formidable economy for itself to fend for its citizens and interests.

Ghana has also evolved over time in its history. With military interventions and coup d’états now a thing of the past, the nation is gradually rebuilding its economic foundations. Various democratic institutions are taking shape albeit slowly. It is my fervent hope that relations would improve further to allow for enhanced trade and bilateral activities.

Without a doubt the Mashav scheme which is an Israel Agency for Development Cooperation programme set up in 1958 to assist its developing partners is a healthy and crucial initiative for Ghanaians to plug in. There have been training programmes organised for citrus farmers and early childhood teachers across the country organised by Mashav. Ghana could do with access to Israeli education and technology in areas that will speed up real growth as Israel can also benefit from Ghanaian exports and human resources in this ever evolving global village.

For now we expect Avram Grant to win for us the World Cup come 2018 in Russia, after all he comes from the ‘Promised Land’. Before then let us refresh our commitments and friendship as two nations with unique yet common destinies.

In any case, until I get to float in the Dead Sea and make my wishes at the ‘Wailing Wall’ in Jerusalem, I will always recount my dad’s Israel trip.

Rosh Hashanah!

Happy New Year sons and daughters of Jacob!

Isaac Clottey

[email protected]

body-container-line