Ghana Tastes: Day 40: Mary's Courtyard

Accra - We went to Mary's Courtyard with some young missionaries from Scotts Hill Baptist Church in North Carolina. It is located in the neighborhood of Abossey Okai on the West side of Accra - an unplanned neighborhood characterized by poor road networks, poor drainage systems, and insufficient water and electricity services. The courtyard (backyard, open air kitchen) had several fires going constructed by mounded earth topped with modified tire rims that could accommodate pots. There was also a charcoal cooker. Miriam and her sister worked assisted by two other young workers. Her yard was provisioned with three months worth or firewood, bags of rice and other dry goods, produce she purchased from Abgobloshie market, and giant barrels of water she obtained from some spigot nearby.

Miriam took this business over from her mother who is now 65 when she began ailing a few years ago. Her menu consists of watcheye, fried fish, shito, beef stew, and millet porridge, all of which is difficult and time consuming to prepare. She also prepares boiled eggs for those who cannot afford the fish. Thirty-two dozen were delivered while we were there. If there is a funeral, since mourners are not allowed to cook, she will cook for them. Also she is hired out to do weddings. Watcheye is usually what she prepares as well as her gari as people like the way she seasons it. She sells to the families in her neighborhood as well as to people in the market. Her day begins at 6 AM and ends at 10 or 11 PM when the market closes. She takes Sundays off.

Miriam's hospitality was unparallelled as she was entertaining several obroni's in her place of business quite graciously. She answered questions readily and seemed genuinely willing to share her work with us and to explain procedure and supply items. I am in her debt, as well as in the debt of the lovely young ladies of Scotts Hill who invited us along. Thank you.