Kumasi Story

Kumasi is a city in the northern region of Ghana, home to the Ashanti tribe. The biggest outdoor market is located in Kumasi. Next up is a story I wrote about two jewerly vendors....

KUMASI

The clinging of the beads orchestrates rhythm for the tourists at the Arts and Cultural Center of Kumasi. The sun´s reflection from the golden pendants pleases those standing under the tree´s shadow, whom, without the light, would be unable to see the spectrum of colors that the table reflects.
The necklaces are effective at grabbing people´s attention. But they are merely the puppets in the show. The popularity of the jewelry stand relies heavily on the puppeteers, Ibrahim Mohammed and Ahmed Iddrisu, who have managed to engage customers while working cohesively in a very competitive environment.
“You need to entertain if you want people to buy your beads,” says Ibrahim Mohammed a 38-year-old Kumasi native who was taught by his grandparents how to make bead necklaces.
Ibrahim forced himself to learn English, Twi, and German and is well on his way to learning Spanish, in order to attract a wider array of clients.
The effort has paid off. By noon on Sunday, Ibrahim had already sold 70 Ghana cedis, worth of necklaces, around $50, enough for him to “live well.”
Three feet down from Ibrahim, in the same table, stands his fellow
puppeteer Ahmed Iddrisu.
Although at such close distance competition is inevitable, splitting the cost of the table stand was a thought-out economic decision. They each pay 40 cedis ($29) each month and the space is big enough to display all their creations.
To remain a top of his competition, Ahmed Iddrisu works with beads from all over the world, and not just from Ghana.
“The money that I make, I invest it all in my beads so I can expand my business and maybe take my business abroad,” said Ahmed while holding a couple of beads from Morocco.
Although Ahmed is keen on pursuing his dream, he is well aware of his priorities. Except for the 6 cedis ($4) that he uses for his daily food and transportation, he saves the 80 cedis ($57), that he usually makes on Friday, his most profitable day, for his children´s education.
After 13 years of working at the Central Market in Kumasi, Ahmed moved to the Arts and Cultural Center of Kumasi because “here are the tourists and in the central market [there are] only locals.” With prices that usually start around 10 cedis ($7) tourists´ wallets are trusted more than that of locals.
“I really like these guys because they don’t hassle you,” said Eunice Leota from New Zeland as she swung around a bag full of necklaces and charms she had just bought from Ibrahim´s and Ahmed´s stand.
Eunice waves goodbye to Ibrahim, while Ahmed´s voice takes front stage as he lures their next visitor to buy one of the golden amulets that shines so vividly under the sun.