By: Sheila WILLIAMS
One of the most unique tourist sites in Ghana; among its nobles of castles, and eco-villages is the Adomi Bridge, located along the Akosombo road.
Part of this is the unique landscape, and part of it is just experiencing the difficulties that present themselves to these people who have chosen (may not have been much of a choice) to live very differently than other people in Ghana.
With all the difficulties these people have, they have carved a life and a living for themselves out of this beautiful natural area and are working to preserve it with the help of visitors and recognition daily.
Its 5:00 in the morning, and selling of “One man thousand” is activity for the women in the town of Asuogyaman near Atimpoku.
What is one man thousand?
A tinny, crispy, finger fishes, which it’s common name known as “Ekanvelou” – this is a type of antroves, its relatively cheap food resources with a good source of protein and calcium – one man thousand is the name.
Fishermen start fishing for catch at night around 10:00pm daily.
The only business in and around Atimpoku area for the village dwellers is the selling of “one-man thousand fish. It’s basically a profit or lost kind of business.
Where to find “one man thousand”?
Atimpoku is the place to find one man thousand, and is obviously the most notable town just before Akosombo, with Adomi Bridge also known as the Volta Bridge, built in 1946 and serves as a tourist attraction for tourists.
Atimpoku is located alone the Volta river in Ghana and a great trading Hub.
Preparation of one man thousand
The woman travel to the riverside to buy the fresh finger fish as early as 5 O’clock in the morning, before sunrise.
They travel all the way to Akosombo town, sometimes they buy just under the Adomi Bridge.
This type of fish is a seasonal one and thus has effect of the price as well. Traders normally buys the fresh fish and sell while others buy, prepare and fried them before selling.
Wash the fresh fish thoroughly with fresh water.
Set fire, pour oil into the frying pan after which you pour in the fishes.
Stir and leave it for some time, before adding onions & seasoning to make it more fresh and palatable for enjoyment.
Packing for sales
Package is done overnight, and send to the market for sales the next morning, as early as 5:00 am in order to meet dawn travellers. Package is done depending on various price tag available.
Views from those in Business
“This business is not as profitable as seen outside, the various deductions you would do will reduce the profit to Ghc 30 or 50 cedis, this is an account of Auntie Dinah, who has been into this business over decade”.
“Good sales comes with heavy traffic along the Adomi Bridge and the toll gate area of Atimpoku, an account from Auntie Sophia”.
“Daavi Aku account that this business is not truly a lifetime business, because as you age, you can’t run after vehicles to serve or sell to travellers due to health and age factors”.
Challenges
The older woman can’t run to meet the moving cars, as it’s the practice, hence the younger ladies use this disadvantage to meet and win their customers thereby rendering them unable to make sales for the day.
When there is no traffic, vehicles pledging this road drive straight without stopping, and this equally makes them loose revenue.
Selling point
The sale of one man thousand is between Asuogyman, Kpong, Atimpoku and the yilo-krobo area in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
Future prospect of One-man-thousand
In a close interview with the Daavi Comfort Agebnyaga, who sell “One- man- thousand and abolo, she stated that, the elderly women don’t see the business for one-man thousand abolo lucrative again, as their children do not see any future prospect in this business, hence there is no generational transfer of family business, as they inherited from their mothers.”
It is the hope of the early women that with time their sacrifice would help sharp life of the younger generation in Atimpoku and surrounding villages.
It’s very interesting to watch traders flag to cars that stop at Atimpoku for good sales, some of the delicious food being sold are bread, abolo, one-man-thousand, fried yam, kakolo etc.
The people of Atimpoku, Asuogyman, Kpong, and the yilo-krobo area have been able to provide good source of living for themselves from these tiny fish business, and very good source of protein and calcium for the health benefit of the consumers of One-man thousand.
The next time you travel to these places, remember to stop over at Atimpoku and enjoy the tasty One-man thousand with abolo,or fried yam, it yummy good.
