Promise Mensah

 

Professor Rudge

 

English – 160

 

24 September 2023

 

How I Became Who I Am

 

Ghana, a place that I can only describe as a home sparkled with gold and diamonds, was where my story began. It is located in the western part of Africa and is 238.54K km^2. It is well-known for its nickname, the Gold Coast, which insinuates how Ghana was full of riches and gold before colonization. Additionally, it is well-known for its cultural heritage and cultural diversity just like a melting pot. My hometown is like an extended family full of brothers and sisters who come together to form bonds that cannot be broken. 

I lived in a self-contained household which is a type of rental property in Ghana that has two separate single living rooms and two bedrooms. 3 of my siblings often slept in the living room because I had 6 siblings and two bedrooms weren’t enough. The living room was painted in blue like the pool of water and the bedroom was painted in green like the vegetation. The kitchen was my favorite part of my home. It ensured that the stomach of my family was full and satisfied. The windows provided a clear view that calmed my mind. Overall, our home was filled with love, passion, and togetherness.

People in my hometown in Ghana are friendly and would always lend a helping hand to those in need. This helped foster a relationship between me and the community because of how connected we were just like a spiderweb. Trust and fellowship were the result of my hometown’s strong sense of community. This helped shape my identity in ways I couldn’t imagine. It made it easier for me to rely on my neighbors, friends, and most importantly, family. 

My environment played a huge role in shaping who I am. The scorching sun that always shone on my skin that brought everyone outside of their homes, the rain that allowed everyone to get access to water, the rivers and lakes in my hometown that made me feel the essence of God’s creation, the trees and animals that made me passionate and appreciate nature. Being surrounded by nature itself made me want to treasure and protect what nature has to offer. Additionally, it makes me smile and realize how beautiful the world is. 

To add on, the lack of infrastructure, education, and employment opportunities were factors that needed change for the growth and development of Ghana. Lack of infrastructure is one of the major problems my hometown is dealing with today. Roads were not tarred, and less access to water and fewer transportation systems are the factors that are bringing my hometown to its ruin. A lot of pregnant women are injured due to roads not being tarred. This also makes driving very unsafe for anyone with disabilities. Improving these factors would make Ghana a much better place to live. There is less access to educational opportunities in Ghana. Students usually drop out because of the lack of funds they cannot provide especially for low-income folks.  Increasing the availability of educational opportunities for low income can help motivate individuals. Creating more job opportunities can help reduce the rate of unemployment since Ghana has an employment rate of 8.4%. 

Growing up in Ghana, my family and friends were the people who never abandoned me even though I was in the wrong. They supported me in every way possible and made sure that I was comfortable and not stressed. This helped me gain a sense of belonging and made me feel very safe. It also allowed me to ask any of my family members for help without hesitation. This increased my confidence to ask anyone for help whenever I needed guidance. My friends in my hometown also played a significant role when I was growing up. They always put smiles on my face even during sad times. They were friends I could never forget. 

I always remember me and my friends hanging out in the Cape Coast Castle. It is a historic place that contains information about Ghana’s past during colonization. Children often gather around to play soccer, basketball, etc. Since the Cape Coast Castle has a lot of rivers and seas, me and my friends often play around in the seas and sometimes in the rivers. The splashing of water against each other made beautiful and revitalizing sounds that created bonds among us that can never be broken.  

I came to America when I was 14 years old. I lived in Harlem for 4 years. Harlem was a second hometown for me. Witnessing everyday gang activities made me crave a place that’s quiet like a cemetery. Coming to New Paltz was a form of liberation I could never ask for. Although I felt a sense of loneliness, being in a place like New Paltz made me peaceful and relaxed. 

Furthermore, coming to New Paltz gives me the freedom I never had when I was in Ghana. When I was in Ghana, I didn’t have the opportunity to make my own decisions. I was always told to ask permission from someone older than me before I got what I wanted. Me being in New Paltz gives me the power to make decisions for myself without the permission of others. I can choose to make decisions whenever I want to and I’m very grateful to New Paltz for giving me this opportunity to make my own decisions to help foster my growth and development. 

To conclude, my hometown wasn’t just a place where I lived but it was a place where I loved. Memories and bonds were created that I would never forget. My hometown was a place that taught about how to value a community. No matter the circumstance, my hometown will always hold a special place in my heart and be part of how I became who I am.