Act of Kindness: One Evening in Kumasi, Ghana

Posted: January 11, 2025 by Mary Oluonye

Everyday act of kindness. This time it was one evening in Kumasi, Ghana.

It had been a long day on the road, touring with clients visiting Ghana. We had dropped our visitors off at their 5-star hotel for the night, and then the tour management crew – tour manager, tour driver, and I, – exhausted, went in search of some good food for the night.

Haze from the smoke emanating from roadside chop bars, as local eateries or food joints are often described, filtered through the air, casting a pale golden glow over everything. Taxis and cars with horns blaring, bicycles weaving in and out between them, pedestrians greeting each other, street sellers still plying their wares, a couple of dogs and chickens taking their time sniffing and pecking as they meandered around. Just a typical after-sunset scene in tropical West Africa as people of all ages made their way through crowded streets on their way home, or elsewhere after the day’s work.

This is authentic West Africa at night in the city. This is Kumasi. Ghana.

We were searching for something nutritious and filling to eat before we made our way back to our hotel to crash for the night. I wanted to eat rice and stew, savory, but not too peppery. Ishmael, the tour manager, knew where we could find some. The driver parked the van and we proceeded on foot.

I took in the ambiance as I followed Ishmael. I really do enjoy being back home in West Africa. I like the humid heat with the gentle breezes, the cacophony of sounds, the smell of food cooking on an open fire, and so much more.

We mingled with the moving stream of people talking loudly, and laughing, and I couldn’t help but smile at the playful banter and snatches of conversations and even the occasional, very short-lived arguments I heard as we made our way through the streets.

Before too long, we arrived at the little chop bar which resembled one of those smaller food trucks you often see on some streets in New York City.  I figured the food was good because there were people in line waiting to order. We joined the queue.

While waiting for our turn to order, I noticed an older man quietly waiting, not in line, but leaning against a wall. Shirtless, he wore only tattered khaki trousers and held a book between his hands.

A little act of kindness observed

Once the woman had finished serving up the customers who had been in line in front of us, and before she took our order, she reached over for a large plastic bag, something like a large Ziploc bag, and spooned some food into it – some of everything. Then she handed the bag of food to the elderly man who accepted it with what looked like a slight bow of the head in gratitude or thanks. Mind you, not a word was spoken between the two.

We ordered our takeaway food. It came to about 14 cedis (about $1.00) for the two of us. She gave me a good helping portion and mentioned that shito (a flavorful, spicy condiment) would go well with my rice, stew, and beans. Should she add some? “Yes please,” I answered.

I handed her 20 cedis and she gave me back 6 cedis change. As we started to walk away, I felt compelled to ask her if the gentleman she gave the food to paid for it. She said, no, please.” You gave him the food for free?” “Yes, please,” she told me. Ghanaians often add the word, please, to these types of questions—something I find somewhat endearing. I returned my change and asked her to please put it toward the next meal for the old man. I was rewarded with one of those smiles you get from the Ghanaian people. Spontaneous and real. Smiles that transform, inspire, and light up the spirit.

Kindness: Powerful and touching

The kindness of people is so powerful and so touching. Maybe the man is homeless, cashless, or maybe he has some big problems. Does it really matter?

Ishmael told me later that the old man has lived in the area for years and the book he clasps between his fingers is a tattered, old Bible. So, there may be some mental health challenges there. But just look at how people care for each other. He won’t starve. He won’t remain unseen. People will look out for him. He will be given good, nutritious food to eat, and clean water to drink. And he’ll continue to wander around in his world of reality and he will be okay.

These are the little acts of kindness that come so naturally to many. The little kindness that costs nothing. The kindness may seem to be a very small deal but is actually a huge deal. It is kindness that means everything to many, or the few, or the one, and it is kindness that makes all the difference.

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