The holy month of Ramadan is of significance to both Muslims and non-Muslims in Ghana. It is an experience like no other, it has that feeling of being exactly where you ought to be. I’ve spent the Ramadan period abroad with a stench of nostalgia and emotions; the period had me reminiscing childhood memories of me and my siblings gathering around the Television for our favorite show, dancing, playing in the streets until it is time to break the fast with our families and mum doing a great job of preparing the best dishes.
Ramadan is the best opportunity for colleagues, old school friends and distant family members we don't get to see often to catch up by having Iftar and Suhoor time together.
My typical Ramadan day starts quite dry, cranky, lacking focus and sleepy at the same time with the inability to console myself with some caffeine I usually need.
While that is a reason behind being counter product and lazy, it's the indiscipline while fasting that costs us the the most; we over compensate for the fast by overeating usually through the night, we stay up watching TV instead of having a good night rest and eventually drag ourselves to work to perform poorly, funny enough that’s the routine on most weekdays.
While at work, most of the time is spent staring at the computer screen, counting every minute while not making it count and talking about food while disturbing home to find out what is for Iftar.
Then it's time to go home, drive down town like a maniac to get some much needed rest and some food.
Iftar is like a moment of revelation and enlightenment that is best enjoyed with friends. It is always better to start with fluids like soup before going for the heavier portions. I top it all up with a cup of coffee and I’m back, alife. I usually enjoy the evening with friends at an outdoor swimming pool in a nearby hotel before heading home.
Before sunrise we gather for the Souhour at a friends place or in a Ramadan tent known some of us played through the night. It's time to start the fast again.
There you go, this cycle goes on and on throughout the whole Ramadan period and we wonder why we are always tired.
Ramadan is more than a spiritual month, it is a month of fellowship and creating that future nostalgia with every gathering, Ramadan tents, delicious food, decorations and Ramadan Fawanees.Spending Ramadan in Accra, Ghana is an inspiring experience that I always look forward to yearly.