I wonder how many of us can see starry skies with shooting stars when we step outside our houses these days. I know that these days, I struggle to find any stars in the sky. Any time I see a really bright "star", i tell myself sadly that it is probably one of the hundreds or maybe thousands of satellites that countries delight in sending up into the sky. We pride ourselves in Ghana that we also have a satellite up there...
But seriously, we really should treat this earth better - it is the only one we have for now (I mean, how many of us can afford that trip to Mars?), and be more serious about combatting pollution, climate change and all those evils that we have brought upon ourselves.
Anyone fortunate enough to visit Mauritius should take time to take a nightly saunter outside just to look around and admire the night sky. You will be amazed at the number of stars in the sky! I really believe that their clean beaches, and clean air, may contribute to their seemingly unpolluted environment.
I consider myself very lucky to have spent a good part of my youth in the Sefwi area in Ghana, up in the northern part of what was until recently the Western Region of Ghana. The back of our house had a view of a seemingly uninhabited tropical forest. In the night, it was one could sit on the back porch and have a quiet time with nature. My father would give names to the different star formations, but I only remember "Orion the Hunter". There really seemed to be millions of stars in the night sky with shooting stars regularly streaking across the sky. These days, I thank God that i had the opportunity to enjoy those stunning night skies, and I am very sure that there are still places in Ghana where this opportunity exists - maybe the Mole Game Park area....
Well, two weeks ago during the lockdown here in Accra - Ghana, I saw "Orion the Hunter" again after so many years. Although the sky was not really filled with stars, just seeing "Orion" excited me and I subsequently inspected the night sky everyday for one full week, expecting to repeat the experience. Sadly (for me), "Orion the Hunter" has been hidden since that day.
We don't have to give up though. We still have other natural wonders that we can enjoy. Brightly coloured birds, butterflies and moths, monitor lizards and chameleons right here in Accra (thanks to the Achimota Forest which we hope fervently will not be turned into a park or commercial development). Other interesting natural wonders in different parts on the country - water falls, lovely beaches, game parks with crocodiles, elephants, hippos, etc. Let's enjoy them while we can!
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