Not everyone in Humjibre lives to reach fifty years. So as one of GHEI’s all-star Health Program Assistants, Mensah Gyapong’s 50th birthday approached, everyone looked forward to a big celebration. ”Fifty is not easy.” When I asked Mensah what this meant, he explained: “I did not always think that I would live fifty years, but I have and I pray that my children do also. It is not easy to live this long.” Here, age brings respect, and to live to an age like fifty is something to be very proud of.
Thursday was the day. The party started early since some of the staff had classes to teach in the afternoon. By 8:30, some people were already at the kitchen beginning preparations. The menu for the day included fufu and egusi soup with tuna and chicken.
Ghanaians enjoy a wide variety of delicious traditional foods, but there is something about fufu that sets it apart. If you ask people, many will explain that eating fufu satisfies you like no other food can. To prepare it: first you have to section, peel and steam cassava and plantains. Then the real work begins. The pounding process requires two people and a full-size mortar and pestle. The person at the top uses their whole body to work the pestle: literally pounding the fufu, sweat dripping down their back. The second person, the driver, sits by the mortar, sweeping their hand under the pestle as it is raised, turning the fufu, working in water and picking out fibers until it reaches the perfect soft, sticky consistency. Everybody took a turn at pounding for Mensah’s birthday. Abby even drove; doing a terrific job preforming in front of the group.
As Aggie was getting everybody’s dishes ready to serve, Happy brought over a large bin filled with water. We started singing “Happy Birthday,” and everybody began splashing from the bin and filling cups to pour on Mensah. In Ghana, when there is a big celebration, like a birthday or a wedding, it is customary to surprise the people at the center by throwing water on them. As Lawrence explained, “Fifty is not easy, so you need to throw water to celebrate.”
Mensah was smiling, but completely soaked. When we all sat down to eat, his clothes were dripping. After a long morning of preparing fufu and throwing water, everyone was very hungry. We ate quickly until we were full, and then ate a little more. After everyone was satiated and the extra food was put away, an all-out water war broke out with what was left in the bin.
Mensah’s fiftieth birthday was a great day. In another fifty years, when we plan to celebrate his 100th, it will be even better!
Thursday was the day. The party started early since some of the staff had classes to teach in the afternoon. By 8:30, some people were already at the kitchen beginning preparations. The menu for the day included fufu and egusi soup with tuna and chicken. 
Ghanaians enjoy a wide variety of delicious traditional foods, but there is something about fufu that sets it apart. If you ask people, many will explain that eating fufu satisfies you like no other food can. To prepare it: first you have to section, peel and steam cassava and plantains. Then the real work begins. The pounding process requires two people and a full-size mortar and pestle. The person at the top uses their whole body to work the pestle: literally pounding the fufu, sweat dripping down their back. The second person, the driver, sits by the mortar, sweeping their hand under the pestle as it is raised, turning the fufu, working in water and picking out fibers until it reaches the perfect soft, sticky consistency. Everybody took a turn at pounding for Mensah’s birthday. Abby even drove; doing a terrific job preforming in front of the group. As Aggie was getting everybody’s dishes ready to serve, Happy brought over a large bin filled with water. We started singing “Happy Birthday,” and everybody began splashing from the bin and filling cups to pour on Mensah. In Ghana, when there is a big celebration, like a birthday or a wedding, it is customary to surprise the people at the center by throwing water on them. As Lawrence explained, “Fifty is not easy, so you need to throw water to celebrate.”
Mensah was smiling, but completely soaked. When we all sat down to eat, his clothes were dripping. After a long morning of preparing fufu and throwing water, everyone was very hungry. We ate quickly until we were full, and then ate a little more. After everyone was satiated and the extra food was put away, an all-out water war broke out with what was left in the bin. Mensah’s fiftieth birthday was a great day. In another fifty years, when we plan to celebrate his 100th, it will be even better!
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