The Archbishop’s Award

The Archbishop’s Award


Archbishop Tutu was awarded the 2010 African Lifetime Achievement Award from the Millennium Excellence Awards Foundation while the ship was in Ghana. I already described the how we were all welcomed warmly by the people of Ghana, so you can imagine the reception the Tutu’s received! He is treated like a rock star all over the world and especially in Africa.

The following is the description of the two days given to us this evening with slides by Dean David – a guy with a great sense of humor who always has his audience laughing.

Five students were chosen by lottery to attend the two day event at the Bishop’s request. The contingency flew to Kamasi early one morning – about a two hour flight I suppose in a prop plane. They were motorcade from airport to the first site and on to the palace and back to the airport during the first long day.

At every entrance and exit and during each event there was dancing and drumming. Dean David reported the entire two days were filled with energy and joy. At the palace a “durbar” (celebratory ceremony) was attended by 1000 people and 20 chiefs all in full colorful regalia. Naturally many dignitaries attended including the owner of the soccer team that beat the US in the World Cup. The days were full of dancing, drumming, joy, amazing energy and color. Even the colorful sun umbrellas danced with the people. What a picture – I’ll try to get a copy to send to you all.

Next they were off to the Palace. Arrival of the throne (a stool) occurred first. In the Ashanti tribe, the power is in the stool (throne), not the king. The Ashanti tribe is the dominant tribe in the middle of the country. Gifts of schnapps and kente cloths for both Tutus were presented. The Tutu’s were wrapped in these clothes which are the size of bedspreads and hand woven in many bright colors.

The group finally retired to the hotel for the night and flew to Accra, the Capitol of Ghana, the next morning. More dancing and drumming. And off to the castle, which is the seat of the government, to meet the Vice-President of Ghana. The President was in China on official business. Then on to the AngloGoldAshanti Corporation who sponsored the entire trip. This corporation puts money into malaria control and education. As a result of their efforts, malaria has almost been eradicated in the areas of the gold mines. Ghana is the hotbed of the world for malaria.

When the Tutu’s arrived back at the ship, I was just leaving. Leah looked so lovely in her finest and the Archbishop was all decked out in a suit with the awards wrapped around him and I was there without a camera!!! Oh, well. He gave me a hug as he passed by! That’s even better than a photo!