The Market (dwaso) :
The markets here in Ghana is where must items are bought and sold. Markets are loud, colorful and quiet smelly. The market experience can be quite intense indeed! Most of the market sellers (odwadini) are women and most don't speak English therefore a rudimentary understanding of the local language is essential. Twi is spoken in most of the country and the populous market areas. There is typically not a set price on items but the buyer will bargain for the item(s). Some items like tomatoes, onions and hot peppers are sold in little stacks for which you will ask the price, "sen sen" (rhymes with zen). The odwadini will tell you the price of the various stacks of tomatoes for example and you tell them which one you want. After she starts to put the stack into a bag you may ask for a little extra (a dash) by saying "Mepaakyew toso" [May-pao-o-cho toe-so]. If the item cannot be dashed then you may ask for a price reduction Mepaakyew taso [May-pao-o-cho tae-so]. As a western Caucasian (obroni) going to the market you will get overcharged if your not very careful. Typically they may ask for 2-5 times the fair market value. You need to bargain. You will be respected if you are a good bargainer. You really need to know how much you want to pay going in and offer them 50% of that. Then work you way up. If you know a little of the local language you will dazzle, awe and astonish the odwadini. They will respect you 10 times more. Your bargaining power just went up a bunch! You may also get dashed quite a bit more. You must always be prepared to walk away when you reach you bottom line. More often that not, if you price is fair, they will call you back. I have also observed that if you make small talk in the local language (ask them their name and tell them yours etc.) you may get a better deal. ...Will be continued!!!