Ghana’s Prostitutes and Churches Get Ready for the Tournament

Reader Sooz linked this hilarious article that details some of the chaos Ghana is undergoing as the opening match between Ghana and Guinea looms on the horizon.

Let’s hope this guy is soliciting something other than sex.

Daryl has already mentioned the jacked up hotel prices in Accra, where profiteering is at an all time high. Some guests will be arriving at hotels that haven’t been built yet or ones that lack appropriate toilet facilities. And don’t even ask how much a bottle of mineral water will cost you.

Ticket prices have also soared through the roof. Already a scarce commodity, tickets that were purchased at $4 a piece are now being sold for $120 each. Just imagine what scalped tickets will cost on the actual day of the game!

But the best part is how two opposing groups of people are getting ready for the tournament.

Churches all over Ghana are organizing prayers for the Black Stars, and some Churches will even be broadcasting the game after Sunday’s services (let’s hope they aren’t charging inflated rates though - that would be so wrong). After all, the Ghana hosting African Cup of Nations isn’t just about the Black Stars. It’s also about the fans, who are taking their role seriously when it comes to spiritual support. One sermon ended with:

“Jesus help our Black Stars lift this Cup. Oh Lord when our defence is stretched let the linesman’s flag be raised high. Halleluiah! Amen.”

At the other end of the human spectrum, Ghanaian prostitutes have already begun marking their territory and have started a “turf war” with the prostitutes from the neighboring Ivory Coast and Nigeria. If you’re someone who likes the celebrate a great game by winding down with a dubious lady of the night, make sure you have extra cash on you because these ladies have upped their prices considerably (”tournament rates”). You know, to buy new outfits.

But at least the Ghana Aids Commission can help you out. They will provide all hotels with free condoms for the guests, though they hope that doesn’t encourage the aforementioned ladies of the night to look for customers at these hotels.

Not that the Aids Commission should worry - many hotels still lack enough beds to accommodate all their customers.