In the next unit we will be talking about visiting the hospital so it is appropriate to talk about the parts of the body so that we can tell the doctor. There are certain parts of the body which are not openly talked about or their names are not mentioned in public. Idiomatic expressions are used for those parts. Care must be taken so that you do not mention them in public or else people will brand you as being profane. We also do not curse with any part of the human body. People most of the time express sickness by talking about the part hurting. Illness or sickness among the Akans is not only a physical occurrence but also a social fact. When one is sick one’s relatives are all affected. Individuals are seen as bad neighbors when they do not show concern for a sick friend or relative or show concern in their recovery.  

Illness or sickness among the Akan is not only a physical occurrence but also a social fact. When one is sick one’s relatives are all affected. Individuals are seen as bad neighbors when they do not show concern for a sick friend or relative or in their recovery after a period of sickness. Sometimes, relatives pull resources together to help a sick relative to seek treatment. When people are sick they either seek traditional treatment or go to the hospital. Most people in the rural areas who have limited access to hospitals rely heavily on traditional medicine or other systems of treatment for their health needs. Even, there are some in the urban areas who still consider traditional treatment as the first option when they are sick. It is not uncommon for people to combine the two systems of healing when they are sick. I some cases, people resort to religious sects for healing.

In Ghana and among the Akans, most buying and selling activities go on in the open market. Buying and selling also goes on along the streets. There are also big market buildings where sellers have their stalls. They are mostly found in big cities. Examples are Kaneshie Market, Makola Market (in Accra), Asafo Market, Kejetia Market (in Kumasi), Kotokoraba Market (in Cape Coast) and Market Circle (in Takoradi). There are also malls or supermarkets where you can buy items. Most of the time food items are commonly sold in the open market. This does not mean other items are not found in the open market or food items are not sold in the malls or supermarkets. One advantage of buying in the open market is that there is constant bargaining. In the open market, even when items have tagged prices people still bargain. It is even customary to bargain with taxi drivers when you are going off a normal route or going to use the taxi services for a long period of time. Not bargaining is seen as a sign of affluence. It is also common to hear the seller say there is no price reduction the first time but upon insistence he/she reduces it. Sometimes you will be asked to say the price you can afford. Bargaining sometimes takes slightly a different form when it comes to buying items like fish, onions, salt and some food items in small groups. Instead of asking for reduction in price, the buyer appeals to the seller to add some of the items. Sometimes, the seller voluntarily adds some items especially if more quantities were bought. This does not happen in the malls and the supermarkets. There are special market days in some communities where farmers and buyers meet to transact business. At such places and times, items are a bit cheaper. It is worth noting that we do not use the left hand to give or receive anything. If for some reason you cannot use the right hand and want to use the left, say memma wo bankum (I don’t give you left) meaning “pardon me for my use of the left hand.” Occasionally, you will find somebody who will want to carry your items for a tip. They are call “akayafo or kayayo” Note that in the open market and sometimes in the malls items bought cannot be returned so make enquires before you buy.