Journals - Ghana
Ghana Videoconference 
Ghana Videoconference 
 Ghana Videoconference 

We participated in this videoconference through Global Nomads Group.  They joined the project called Semester at Sea, which embarked on its 100th voyage from Sept. - Dec. 2009.  Live, open dialogue videoconferences were planned with each port city along their route. 

"The aim of this project is for youth participants to broaden their understanding of an increasing "flat world" in the 21st century though live, cross-cultural conversations on the manifold issues that relate to immigration and globalization."  -Semester-At-Sea Lesson Plan

During two videoconferences, we spoke with students about Ghana's ties to the North American slave trade. We also spoke about globalization and Ghana as the first African state to gain independence and just recently held a successful democratic election.  We also studied and discussed the global issues of human trafficking and e-waste.  We also shared about our daily lives and there was some competitive talk about the World Cup this coming summer.
Ghana Videoconference  "We enjoyed talking with Kwesi from the Cape Coast Castle.  He is the Senior Museum and Monuments Educator at the Castle.  We learned about its history as the slave trading center for the trans-Atlantic slave trade to the New World."  -CITVC

We e-mailed with Kwesi after the videoconference.  He asked us: "How do we stop all these forms of slavery as they exist today so that the world will be a better place for us all to live in?"  We responded: 
-through education at a young age about slavery and the existence of modern slavery in the world today
-through world governments regulating industries that use children for slave labor.  Major, major fines and even lawsuits should discourage these industries from engaging in modern-day slavery.
-through organizations like the United Nations asking famous individuals to use their media savvy and attention to educate the world about this horror
-through school curricula to include it in their requirements when they teach about historical slavery
-through commercials on television and radio to broadcast the issue to a wide audience
-have a page set up on Facebook so people can join and get their friends to join in the fight against this horror.
"Instead of just saying our goodbyes, we exchanged contact information to stay in touch.  We also agreed to exchange gifts for each other's schools.  As a class, we decided to purchase a book and DVD containing President Barack Obama's speeches.  The students from Ghana had told us how much of an inspiration he is to them.  I know that all of us are looking forward to having a lasting bond with these students who we made a connection with over videoconference."  -Roxanne Christine "The Ghanian students were very well-spoken, interesting, and suprisingly similar to American teens.  I highly enjoyed this conference series because it truly opened my eyes to the reality of their everyday lives."  -Danielle 
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