Telepresence!

Akoma Ntoso Cultural Center (ANCC) opened in 2009 in Newark, New Jersey and Cape Coast, Ghana. It is named after the adinkra symbol meaning "linked hearts." Their mission is to "link hearts" across the world, that is, share Ghana's culture and history with people of other nations. 

Using video conferencing technology, students from all over the world are able to interact with students here in Ghana. This creates a cultural exchange. As students are exposed to Ghana, Ghanaian students are learning about the U.S. and other countries. 

We call this program Telepresence. 

Telepresence is so important because there are many misconceptions about Africa. Our students are asked questions like "Do people in Ghana have cell phones?" (Yes), "Do you sleep in trees?" (No), or "Do you ride on lions?" (Definitely not). It is because the media shows such a negative view of Africa (war, poverty, primitivity, etc) that our perception of Africa is often distorted and incomplete. For over four years Telepresence has allowed youth throughout the world to see a more accurate picture of Ghana and of Africa. 

Our students here in Ghana also largely benefit from this program. By putting together presentations and answering questions they not only gain a thorough knowledge of their country's culture and history, but they develop their communication and public speaking skills. By listening to the presentations of other classrooms they learn about life in other places and dismantle their own misconceptions about countries like the U.S. It is a huge part of our teaching curriculum.

One of the most common things students realize from these sessions is how alike we all are in spite of our diverse cultural backgrounds. A teenage girl in Ghana has a lot in common with a teenage girl in the U.S. 

Here are some pictures from Teleprescence sessions taken over the last few weeks:

Here we have a 6th through 12th grade presentation. Jela and Dawn are using the green screen to teach about Ghana fashion and Ghana food. The other students also took turns presenting facts about Ghana. 

The 3rd-5th graders singing a Ghanaian song about kente cloth for their American peers. 

Some of the high school students performing a skit for the students in Colorado. The skit was about a group of American students traveling to Ghana. 

The little ones had a session today about jobs in Ghana. They learned about dentists, construction workers, and policemen in the U.S.

The kids are lined up waiting for their turn to present. 

Our class taught about policemen, firefighters, and fishermen in Ghana. 

Here you can see a better view of the green screen.

These 4th graders are doing a song about colors.

Khandesi leading a session on arts and crafts with Northern Michigan University. 

(Side note: All of the pictures were taken in the ANCC. If you have been reading my blog then this place might look familiar. That is because it is also the main living room of where I am staying in Cape Coast. I basically live at the ANCC.)