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| Abraham Atta in a pose with Sylvester Stallone |
Like many other towns or
settlements, it has a fascinating history unbeknownst to many. (Check
Wikipedia). Its early settlers built the town on a foundation of love. Basically
for family members who wanted to engage in one economic activity or the other. A
home for the weary traveler to catch their breath or spend the night if
necessary. This is ASHAI’s TOWN. Known to many as ASHAIMAN. Often mis-spelt as
“ASHIAMAN”
The town has seen some
unprecedented events capping the love with which the frames of the town was
built on. In other words, it has had its fair share of problems. The town has
been in the past severely marred by the activities of some recalcitrant youth.
But like they say, “every saint has a past and every sinner has a future”. The
future of the town wasn’t resting on the dictates of a few boisterous young men
and woman who early on had plunged the town into an abyss.
The coming in of free compulsory
education saw a surge in school enrollment in the early nineties. A new
secondary school meant pupils from public schools whose folks couldn’t afford
to take them to other regions for secondary education had an option than to
stay at home.
A sprawling artisanal enclave
popularly referred to as "fitter line" gave way to many who desired other than
formal education to learn a trade. Trading activities have replaced what
hitherto was a huge impenetrable slum of drug addicts and thriving network of
prostitution.
Pick pockets, mafias, junkies, festooned the streets, imposing an
unofficial curfew in some areas. But like the sinner with a future, the streets
are safe and surprisingly calm even in the wee hours of the day.
The town has and is witnessing a
drastic change in infrastructure. Modernized private school, clinics and private
hospitals to augment what used to be the only health center. Old buildings are
being replaced with high rise multi-functioning buildings inhabited by local
and international institutions. GCB which used to be the only bank in the town
now faces keen competition with several others. What fascinates many is the
availability of food at any time of the day. From “Hausa koko” (porridge) to
the most sophisticated of meals are found in what used to be a dreaded town. Night
life is amazing. People sit out in pubs and open spaces to blow off some steam
after a long day’s work largely because of the will power of the people and the
presence of a strong policing force.
At the center of it is a hive of
cocooning talents yet to be birthed into professional medical practitioners, musicians,
actors, entrepreneurs, footballers, and comedians who lighten the mood of weary
tenants though a few have been heard of locally and internationally. StoneBwoy who has been made the official ambassador for sanitation, Abraham Atta, Thomas Teye Partey and the list is endless Like the
great baobab tree with several branches, Ashaiman has several settlements:
Lebanon, Jericho, Middle East, Zenu, Official Town, Night Market, Asensu Bar,
Roman Down, “Tabooo”(wooden) line, Tulaku, Christian Village, New Town and many
others. This should give you an idea of how big a place Ashaiman is. A cosmopolitan area of some sort. Home to all
tribes and creed of more than 350,000 making it the fourth largest cosmopolitan city in Ghana after Accra city, Kumasi and Sekondi- Takoradi
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| Fans at Ashaiman to The World Concert |
Suffice to say, Ashaiman has
evolved over the years from a hell hole to a charming place. Like the phoenix,
it rose out of the ashes. It has nurtured thousands of people playing several
important roles in the country though they want to be modest about it.
Living in Ashaiman sharpens your
survival skills and disposition. You learn to tolerate and be tolerated.
Respect is reciprocated but never undermine anyone.
Ashaiman could appeal to many as
a destination to be avoided. An indigent piece of land without any hope.
However, in spite of how others see or call it, THIS IS HOME.
