The Recollections of a Sheboy - the early years, is the recollections of a Ghanaian child from his earliest memories to manhood.
Ghana gained independence from United Kingdown on 6 March 1957. The period prior to and immediately after that date were some of the tumultuous times in the history of Ghana. Fortunately or unfortunately, the Sheboy does not remember any of that. Those were times when actions taken by his father changed his life and those of his family forever. And he has written this memoir recalling that period until he finished his undergraduate degree.
This is the story of life that begins in Prestea, Ghana. He recalls life in that signpost to the forested interior of Ghana. It is the story seen through a child's eye and how innocent he was. It was a period when he grew up under the influence of his paternal grandmother with no reference to either his mother or father.
His recollections on the lives of his mother and father are cries of a wounded and troubled heart. This memoir recounts his early life in primary school, when he was just too raw and innocent, to middle school where he encountered a sadist; a school teacher. The memoir recounts other times when those little things in life, like playing soccer with a bunch of friends, filled the heart with such tangible joy; joys without a care in the world, to the introduction of television to New Tafo.
It is a story about facing the challenges of growing up the best way he could in a polygamous setting. He recounts his life as it impinged on all those around him. He faced the suspicion of his stepmother and his will to stand up for himself and his brother. There were days when life was just about surviving the pace in the Kekire household. He broke every rule. He stole farm produce from anyone whenever he could. He pushed matters to the edge. It was a time of youth when his youthful drive, rough and unbridled, drove him to incredible acts of defiance. Nothing mattered.
He faced some incredible situations in secondary school where he was supposed to have been studying. Here life was so sweet and lived to the full with such zest and on the edge. His secondary school encounters were wild and he loved it. He knew no better.
Then he became a Sheboy in a girls' school and every aspect of life was turned upside down. The girls took charge and they controlled most things. These were times when girls made him shiver just by yelling Sheboy. The Sheboys learnt, they had to stay in their flats, away from the girls to be free. The Sheboys learnt that they had to carve a life outside the norms to survive. They survived for him to tell this story.
The university introduced a lot of life changing events. And at the university, he embraced the life of a Vandal in its entirely. Vandalism was a way to channel his energies. He lived life to the full. He confronted conventional wisdom and the might of governments. It was a crazy time. Those were bewildering days but through it all he stood as the motto of the Commonwealth Hall says: Truth Stands
This is a memoir about the highs and lows of an ordinary boy that grew up in a country that transitioned from colonial rule through civilian rule and the rules of the military. Civilians ruled from independence to 24 February 1966 and the military proclaimed themselves saviours of Ghana from 24 February 1966 to 24 September 1979 except for a period of about three years between 1969 to 1972.
Some names, and in certain cases identifying characteristics, have been omitted or changed to maintain the anonymity of several people.
