Review of Golden Footprints
Posted: 26 Oct 2022, 05:23
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Golden Footprints" by Samuel Dubinyale Braimah.]
Samuel Dubinyale Braimah, in Golden Footprints, recounted stories of his life and journey as a development worker from Northern Ghana. Braimah grew up in the Manga community located southwest of Bawku. The book included stories about his childhood experiences, like working on the farms during the planting season and fishing. He told stories about how they celebrated Christmas with the practice of firing shots into the air, an act that was performed proudly by his father. Braimah attended Manga Primary school and later Ghana College in Tamale. He attended the University of Cape Coast, where he studied chemistry. By the time he completed his compulsory national service, he was already married. His career as a development worker was kickstarted with his work with World Vision International, Ghana, as a project coordinator for Northern Ghana. The rest of the book told stories of his challenges and work as a development worker in Ghana and other parts of the world.
One of the things Golden Footprints exposed was the inner workings and challenges that accompanied the work of rural development workers. The author painted a picture that would be especially useful to aspiring or working development workers on what to expect while working in third-world countries. While the advent of technology may have altered many challenges and replaced them with new ones, the book would serve as a preparatory tool for rural developers. It gave an insight into the kind of challenges to be expected and what to do to prepare, handle, and even prevent them.
The author also used this book to showcase Ghanaians' culture and way of life through his experiences growing up in the Manga community. For example, he wrote about the practice of not slaughtering chickens except for specific festivities or when a 'chicken' commits a taboo. For instance, if chickens mate at a Bissa house's gate, they could be slaughtered. He shined a light on the community's communal spirit, which was a positive culture for Ghanaians and African communities.
The author did have a lot of stories to tell about the communities in Northern Ghana where he worked in the field as a developer. However, beyond the stories he told, the most impactful were the lessons he learned from his experiences, which he heartily shared with readers. One of the lessons he shared was the importance of strategic planning in the workplace and our personal lives. His story about how he and his wife changed a Christmas tradition to take stock of their lives exemplified how valuable and impactful strategic planning could be in our personal lives.
The author's narration showed readers what life was like before the advent of specific technologies, like the telex before the phone and the typewriters before the computers. It was an insightful piece of historical knowledge, even as he subtly pointed out one of the downsides of technology as a research tool—an abundance of false information. We saw Braimah's character through his dedication to poverty eradication and rural development. The fact that he had a chapter of this book dedicated to divine intervention in his life showed he was a man of faith. However, this wasn't a religious book.
Golden Footprints was a long read, as the author pointed out. However, it was an enlightening read. Readers would learn a few words in the local language, Bissa. The book would require further editing for some errors observed. Apart from the editing issue, there was nothing to dislike. Golden Footprints would best suit rural development workers and non-governmental organizations working with third-world countries. I'd rate it three out of four stars.
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Golden Footprints
View: on Bookshelves
Samuel Dubinyale Braimah, in Golden Footprints, recounted stories of his life and journey as a development worker from Northern Ghana. Braimah grew up in the Manga community located southwest of Bawku. The book included stories about his childhood experiences, like working on the farms during the planting season and fishing. He told stories about how they celebrated Christmas with the practice of firing shots into the air, an act that was performed proudly by his father. Braimah attended Manga Primary school and later Ghana College in Tamale. He attended the University of Cape Coast, where he studied chemistry. By the time he completed his compulsory national service, he was already married. His career as a development worker was kickstarted with his work with World Vision International, Ghana, as a project coordinator for Northern Ghana. The rest of the book told stories of his challenges and work as a development worker in Ghana and other parts of the world.
One of the things Golden Footprints exposed was the inner workings and challenges that accompanied the work of rural development workers. The author painted a picture that would be especially useful to aspiring or working development workers on what to expect while working in third-world countries. While the advent of technology may have altered many challenges and replaced them with new ones, the book would serve as a preparatory tool for rural developers. It gave an insight into the kind of challenges to be expected and what to do to prepare, handle, and even prevent them.
The author also used this book to showcase Ghanaians' culture and way of life through his experiences growing up in the Manga community. For example, he wrote about the practice of not slaughtering chickens except for specific festivities or when a 'chicken' commits a taboo. For instance, if chickens mate at a Bissa house's gate, they could be slaughtered. He shined a light on the community's communal spirit, which was a positive culture for Ghanaians and African communities.
The author did have a lot of stories to tell about the communities in Northern Ghana where he worked in the field as a developer. However, beyond the stories he told, the most impactful were the lessons he learned from his experiences, which he heartily shared with readers. One of the lessons he shared was the importance of strategic planning in the workplace and our personal lives. His story about how he and his wife changed a Christmas tradition to take stock of their lives exemplified how valuable and impactful strategic planning could be in our personal lives.
The author's narration showed readers what life was like before the advent of specific technologies, like the telex before the phone and the typewriters before the computers. It was an insightful piece of historical knowledge, even as he subtly pointed out one of the downsides of technology as a research tool—an abundance of false information. We saw Braimah's character through his dedication to poverty eradication and rural development. The fact that he had a chapter of this book dedicated to divine intervention in his life showed he was a man of faith. However, this wasn't a religious book.
Golden Footprints was a long read, as the author pointed out. However, it was an enlightening read. Readers would learn a few words in the local language, Bissa. The book would require further editing for some errors observed. Apart from the editing issue, there was nothing to dislike. Golden Footprints would best suit rural development workers and non-governmental organizations working with third-world countries. I'd rate it three out of four stars.
******
Golden Footprints
View: on Bookshelves