My Journey to France (Robert Asekabta)

A the Ghanaian Embassy (Paris). From left to right: Coleman Aidoo (Consular Conseiller), Gérard Guittet, Robert Asekabta

From March 23rd to May 16th, 2018 I paid a familiarization visit to Paris the capital city of France and to St. Xandre. My visit was a result of an invitation extended to me by my long-time friend, Gérard Guittet, who, as a former member of the Order of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers), had been posted to the St. Francis Xavier parish in Wiaga.
I first met Rev. Fr. Guittet in 1968, when I worked with him as a District Scout Commissioner and later as a Regional Coordinator for the then Upper Region, while Fr. Guittet was the Youth Chaplain of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Parish at WIAGA.
In France I arrived at Charles de Gaulle Airport and lived with Mr. Gérard Guittet and Anne Marie’s family in St. Xandre. I also visited several of Mr Guittet’s relatives or met them at St. Xandre.

VISIT OF FARMS

I visited biological /organic farmers. What amazed me a lot was the fact that these farmers were voluntarily organized in associations which raise goats as well as produce cheese from their milk.
From dairy farmers and compost harvesting farms I learnt the effective practices of agriculture.

ENVIRONMENT, WASTE MANAGEMENT

I was greatly in love with how they kept their environment clean. They did this by selectively sorting out wastes generated in their homes. I also visited a “dechetterie” (a waste disposal unit) at St. Xandre.

Robert Asekabta and Gérard Guittet in the mountains

TOURISM

I toured a number of interesting places. In La Rochelle I saw the Maritime Harbour, as well as the harbour for fisheries and sailing boats. At Chataillon harbours I visited the Kites Feast, at Nantes the Slavery Museum, at Chambord the Castle of the Kings (one of the châteaux de la Loire), the Historical Theme Park at Puy du Fou and at Melle I went underground to see the silver mines. In Paris at Bateau – Mouches we went on a boat tour.

Over very narrow and winding roads we visited the mountains, the highest of which was more than 3,000 feet high. Here was my first time seeing ice and snow. We lived in a rented house at Saligos.
At Lourdes I was at the Grottos where the Virgin Mary appeared to St Bernadette and there I participated in various rituals of the Catholic Church.
After my experiences in France the following changes might promote development in Ghana :
1) Breed cows separately for milk and meat, as it is the case in France.
2) Goats should be used for cheese and meat.
3) Collect bees in beehives to produce honey.
4) Start or extend tree nurseries, mangoes, sheanut trees etc.
5) Make dry toilets to help stop open defecation.
6) Organize waste management.
7) Improve thermal insulation of houses.