“Ah! So they were just coming to cut down the trees like that?” David Avudega asked over the phone in amazement.

“Yes oo, David. That was their mission at the farm. To come and cut down our cocoa trees. Can you imagine?”

David shook his head. “These people kraaa, what is wrong with them? Do they know how hard cocoa farmers have worked to get those trees to grow? And now they are just giving orders to cut down trees? Ah!”

“They’ll tell you it’s for the best too. That’s what annoys me the most. They think we don’t know.”

“Nonsense. How is it for the best? Ah, this government paaa.”

“See, my son, the word out there is that they’re doing this just to destroy our cocoa industry. These white people are just evil. They know how important our cocoa is to us, so they just want to wipe it out. Evil people! And you have our people too following their lead. Ah ah ah. See, I’m so glad Elorm, Mustapha, and Mohammed went to catch them. The way they warned those guys and sacked them with the cutlasses eh, I’m sure they’ll think twice before daring to come near the farm.”

“Mmm hmm,” David hummed in agreement. “They’ll not even dare.”

“They better not. Hmm. Anyways, how is work?”

David sighed. “Hmm, Paapa, same old thing ooo. It’s not easy, but we’re managing.”

“Mmmm, I see. So the school’s requests still haven’t been attended to?”

“Oh, Paapa. As long as it’s not a government-assisted school with any of their own, they’ll never mind us.”

“Ei, hmmmm.”

“It’s serious oo. Whether chalk, tables, or chairs, they won’t heed our requests. So we the teachers have to buy all these things ourselves.”

“Hmmm, It’s hard ooo. Ah, well, what more can I say? Anyways, you’ll be home next week, right?”

“Yes, yes, I should be in Adukrom by Sunday. So you’ll see me.”

“Great, great. We’ll be expecting you, then. Take care of yourself, okay?”

“Yes, Paapa. I’ll talk to you later, then.”

“Yooo, my son. Goodbye.”

As David placed the handset down, he sighed and rubbed his face. It was such a relief that Rosetta worked in the General Post Office; contacting his old man back in the village was now easier.

He glanced toward his friend and nodded gratefully. “Thanks once again, Rosetta. I’m very grateful.”

Looking up at him from her desk, she nodded and smiled. “You’re welcome, Dave. See you later, and safe journey to Adukrom.”

“Thanks ooo, thanks. Goodbye.”

David quickly proceeded to make his way out of the General Post Office.

Perfect timing that I took my leave during this time, he thought to himself. The old man had been ill for a while, apparently, and thanks to his commitments as an overworked, undertrained, and underequipped teacher at Fadama D/A Primary School, he had not been able to check on him.

Thankfully, though, the old man had recovered and was in full health, and was updating him on the latest developments back home. Of course, nothing is too strong to keep good old Efo Norman Avudega down for long, he thought to himself in amusement as he stepped out into town. Now, time to go get some rest, then prepare for Adukrom. Anything to get out of this frustrating cycle here is wholly welcome.

***

BREAKING NEWS!

Following the conclusion of a series of negotiations between the Chamber of Commerce and the Anti-Inflation Campaign Committee, prices on some imported goods would be reduced and the boycott would end on Saturday, the 28th of February. An agreement was reached after some of the foreign firms assented to reducing their overall profit margin from 75 to 50 percent.

***

Once the announcement was made on the radio, it was safe to say many were overjoyed. Many who passed by the various neighbourhoods in the city heard shouts of joy and rejoicing as Gold Coast folk applauded this great piece of news. Whether it was thanking God for the life of Boycotthene and this worthy cause he had championed, or just feeling gleeful that they could now get their daily provisions at a cheaper price, people were just glad to hear this.

As Yaw and Michael walked through the streets of Labadi about an hour and a half after the announcement, their excitement was on the good works of the now-revered chief.

“Ohhhhhh, God bless Boycotthene!” Michael gushed happily. “I’m so glad he stood firm throughout the whole thing. With the way you said he was bribed to bring it to an end, it shows how the man loves the country.”

“Oh yes, yes, he truly does. Coz Mike, ten thousand pounds is no small amount ooo. Many people would have just caved in and taken the money. But not Boycotthene. See eh, in this life, there are certain people with convictions so strong, you can’t just buy them off with money. Those kinds of people, they know their purpose is bigger than just having a fat bank account.”

“Yes, that’s true. And it’s so obvious that Nii Bonne is one such man. He’s really done well for us, he really has.”

“Oh yes! Chale, he went all out ooo. All over the nation, making sure everyone understood the plan. He really worked hard to get this done. History must be kind to this man, it must.”

Indeed. Very necessary. Boycotthene is a freedom fighter worthy of his flowers, no doubt. I just hope this is the beginning of this government coming to learn that they can’t be messing with us and treating us anyhow.”

“Well, we live to see. Let’s just see how this one pans out, then we’ll know where we are headed as time goes on…”

Well, the boycott’s been called off. Let’s see what comes of that in the next few episodes…