September 2023 Tract Distribution Report
Nana Appiah and his team performed a mass tract distribution late 2023 in the English, Fante, and Twi languages. His report follows:
Tract Distribution Report for Greater Accra Region and Volta Region
September 9th – 15th Accra Region – Approximately 130,000 tracts distributed.
The final leg of our tract distribution had us in the Greater Accra and Volta Regions for a one week stretch. At this point, we’ve gained the necessary experiences in dealing with the distribution of the tracts from the previous regions. Many lessons were learned from the previous regions and were applied in the Greater Accra and Volta Regions. We learned:
- It’s essential to approach the distribution respectfully and considerately, taking into account cultural norms, legal regulations, and ethical considerations. No matter the age, tribe or sex or education level, we approached all with kindness, respect and a smile.
- Ghana has laws that protect religious freedom, but there are also restrictions on public proselytizing in certain areas/regions or during certain times. At times during the distributions, it was the perception of the general public and authority that we were trying to convert or brainwash the masses with the tracts and our message.
- Selecting appropriate locations where people are more likely to be receptive to your message and locations where there’s a saturation of people. For instance, schools and hospitals were generally bad areas to target, whilst transportation stations/hub and marketplaces were ideal.
- Seeking permission first when distributing on private property is necessary and the right thing to do. Most cases they’ll decline your request and/or forbid pictures or video recording.
- It is a must to be open to answering questions and having respectful discussions. In other regions, we were afraid of engaging in dialogue or explaining the message due to your instructions given prior before the start of the distribution. As we gained experience and more insight into the mission, we began to open up more. We referred those with questions to read the tracts and access the website as well as to tune into the radio broadcast.
- To be prepared for polite refusals and avoid any and all confrontations as well as rejections. Previously, we took offense to negative feedback or confrontations, which was the impatient thing to do.
- To be mindful of our safety and avoiding or engaging in activities that may lead to conflicts or disputes. For instance, more than 70% of the time, people were uncomfortable with being videoed or having our cameras and phones pointed to them. In some cases, our safety was threatened. We sought approval first before taking pictures or videos as we continued in the Accra and Volta regions.
- Most importantly, we learned to approach the distribution with sensitivity to the diverse mixture of Christianity, Islamic, indigenous beliefs, and other faiths and respected the beliefs and choices of all.
In Accra, we concentrated our efforts in the heart of the city, targeting their busy markets, transportation/lorry terminals/stations/hubs. The capital city’s population density allowed us to reach a significant number of people in a relatively short time this way. We distributed approximately 90,000 tracts in those areas mentioned in Accra. In some of these locations, they allowed us to leave the tracts at their information center or ticketing booths. We were able to leave approximately 30,000 tracts at these locations throughout the various stations, terminals, and hubs. These stations/terminals served as important hubs for various modes of transportation, including buses, tro-tros (vans), and taxis. Targeting these stations was the greatest strategy we adopted from the experiences learned from the other regions’ distributions. Amongst those stations, terminals and hubs we went to include the following:
Kwame Nkrumah Interchange (Circle): This is one of the major transportation hubs in Accra. It features a large interchange where several major roads converge. Beside it being a transport station, it served as a makeshift market with numerous traders, hawkers, and travelers going about their business, making it a congested central point within the city.
Kaneshie Market Complex: Kaneshie Market is not only a marketplace but also a transportation hub. We interacted with a lot of locals and children in the area. What made our experiences memorable in this area was the treatment by the local children and market ladies, who welcomed us with open arms and offered us hospitality. They guided us and followed us as we went about our business of distributing the tracts.
VIP Bus Terminal: The VIP Bus Terminal in Accra is a major hub for long-distance bus travel to various regions of Ghana and neighboring countries. It was very close to the Kwame Nkrumah circle and we spent a couple of days targeting travelers, traders/market ladies and men and those going about their business in the area.
Odawna Terminal: Also located near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle by walking distance. Most people in this area tended to be of the Muslim faith and did not take kindly to our distribution effort. We felt unsafe in the area and didn’t stay long.
37 Station & market: Named after the 37 Military Hospital, this station is a vital transportation point for travelers and local commuters. A Lot of students/children, health care professionals and market traders. The area has military and police presence and activities nearly everywhere you go. There is a nearby arm force base which was restricted to everyone unless you were a military personnel or Officer.
Mallam Junction Market & Station: The market is a significant trading center in the area. Another great area where we had great success and engaged the traders and youth in the area. A very populated area with a mixture of Muslims and Christians living and working together in harmony. The area was very dangerous due to the major highways on all sides and dense population. One of our distributors was pickpocketed and lost his phone, ID, and keys. We were able to distribute roughly 10,000 tracts within a two to three hour period.
In the Greater Accra’s region, we encountered individuals from various backgrounds and walks of life. While many were receptive to our tracts and the message they contained, others were cautious and asked questions about our mission, organization, and intentions. We directed them to read the tracts and visit our website for more information.
One of the highlights of our distribution in the Accra Region was our visit to Jamestown, a historic neighborhood with a rich cultural heritage. We distributed tracts in the streets and interacted with the locals, who shared stories about the area’s history and their own spiritual beliefs. Jamestown’s residents were welcoming and eager to engage with us, making it a memorable part of our journey.
Looking ahead for the Greater Accra region and its transportations stations/Hubs/terminals, we suggest having a booth/table and/or a display(signs/banners) in the various stations/terminals//markets. This can help people identify our presence and purpose. The area within the downtown city attracts more than half a million commuters, travelers, traders, consumers, and daily traffic each day. It’s a strategy that can be adopted for the various regions as well but will be more effective in Greater Accra and Kumasi.
After completing our distribution efforts in Accra, we made our way to the Volta Region, eager to continue our mission but running low on resources and tracts.
September 14th – 17th Volta Region – Approximately 40,000-45,000 tracts distributed.
Our journey in the Volta Region began in Ho, the regional capital. Here, we distributed tracts in the downtown marketplaces, known as Ho central market, and interacted with the locals, many of whom were curious about our mission and the content of the tracts. We managed to distribute approximately 30,000 tracts, including those translated in Ewe and English.
From Ho, we ventured north to Hohoe, which is another major town within the region. We targeted its transportation/lorry station which also serves as a market area for traders. The congestion and the human traffic within the area made our job easy as we were able to distribute roughly 15,000 tracts in the area within a 4 hour time span.
The tract distribution campaigns in the major capital cities of Ho and Hohoe in the Volta region were successful endeavors, achieving our objectives of engaging with the local community and distributing the tracts (mostly English version) We’re encouraged by the positive response received from the traders, travelers, and residents including students and children. There were no incidents or issues with authorities or in general.
Conclusion
As we’ve reached the conclusion of our mission, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support and the countless prayers that have been our guiding light, providing safety and motivation throughout our journey. Along the path we have traversed, we encountered a series of challenges, ranging from encounters with local authorities to logistical hurdles in transportation. However, it is precisely these trials that have fortified our resolve, affirming our belief that the message we carried possesses the power to affect meaningful change in the lives of those it reaches. We extend our deepest appreciation to you for your steadfast support and the continued outpouring of prayers that have accompanied us on this journey, reminding us of the importance of our mission and sustaining our determination to make a lasting impact. Your involvement has been instrumental, and we are immensely grateful for your partnership in this endeavor.
A PDF file version of this report is available below:
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