Ayekoo

“Ayekoo,” I spontaneously saluted the decorator dedicatedly painting the wall of the central hospital corridor. The word was meaningless to him. He had been working quietly and diligently all week with only the music from his radio set for inspiration and company. Most people walked past him without any greeting or word of encouragement. They appeared not to notice him. If they had wanted to acknowledge him what would they have said? “Good day,” “Lovely day,” “Hi?”

Ayekoo is a Ghanaian salutation, which is commonly used. Depending on the context, it variously means “Well done,” “Congratulations,” and often …