Answers to Comprehension Questions
Comprehension Questions with Answers
1. Why was Inspector Kanjaga called to the CID headquarters?
Answer: He was called to be considered for a dangerous undercover assignment in the gold-mining area of Sikaso to investigate illegal galamsey operations.
2. What made the assignment to Sikaso particularly dangerous?
Answer: Several undercover policemen sent before had mysteriously disappeared, and the area was controlled by wealthy criminals who bribed local security forces.
3. What cover story was created for Kanjaga’s mission?
Answer: He would pose as a dangerous escaped convict and galamsey digger named Kubi, with a fake wanted notice published in the newspapers.
4. What kind of physical training did Kanjaga undergo before starting the mission?
Answer: He underwent harsh gold-mining work, learnt how to use a gold detector, and had extensive martial arts training to regain his Tae-kwon-do skills.
5. Who is Samu, and what is his role in the story?
Answer: Samu is a former criminal turned galamsey boss who owns the Royal Hotel and is highly suspicious of strangers, including Kanjaga.
6. How did Samu first hear about Kanjaga (as Kubi)?
Answer: Through a phone call from his friend, the manager of the Twilight Bar, who noticed Kanjaga asking about galamsey work.
7. What evidence shows Samu is suspicious of Kanjaga’s identity?
Answer: Samu checked old newspapers and found the fake wanted photo of Kanjaga, recognising him from the bar.
8. What tactic does Kanjaga use to convince Samu to hire him?
Answer: He fabricates a detailed backstory about being a galamsey expert from Prestea, including serving jail time and escaping, and insists on being paid well if he proves his skill.
9. Who first took Kanjaga to the galamsey site, and what was his role?
Answer: Sukwei, the foreman, took Kanjaga to the site.
10. What tool did Kanjaga secretly use to search for gold?
Answer: A gold detector.
11. Why did the workers initially beat up Kanjaga at the site?
Answer: They suspected he was a police officer when he identified a rich pit too quickly.
12. How did the workers’ attitude toward Kanjaga change after Sukwei washed the first bucket of earth?
Answer: They apologised and began to respect him when they saw he had discovered real gold.
13. What strategy did Kanjaga use to hide the gold detector?
Answer: He kept it in a secret pocket in his trousers and wore a loose shirt to conceal it.
14. According to Sukwei, how did Samu acquire the mining land?
Answer: He did not buy it; he used bribes to access government land rich in gold.
15. Who is Fellini and what is his role in the gold smuggling operation?
Answer: Fellini is an Italian businessman who owns the distillery and furniture factory; he smuggles the gold hidden in furniture to Europe.
16. How does Fellini ensure the gold is not discovered at the port?
Answer: He arranges for customs officers to inspect the furniture at his factory, seals the containers there, and offers them bribes to avoid further checks at the harbour.
17. Why did Kanjaga want to rent a new place?
Answer: His current lodging was cramped and uncomfortable; he wanted a quieter and more private place.
18. Who helped Kanjaga find a new apartment and why?
Answer: Sukwei helped him, on the secret instruction of Samu, so they could monitor Kanjaga through a planted informant in the area.
19. Where was the gold hidden in Fellini’s smuggling operation?
Answer: In the last batch of furniture pieces packed into cartons for export.
20. How did Fellini ensure the customs officers were not too thorough during inspection?
Answer: He waited until they were tired and distracted them with chilled drinks, which reduced their alertness.
21. What did Fellini give the customs officers after the inspection?
Answer: Brown envelopes (presumably with bribes) and a case of whisky.
22. Who was the man that came to read Kanjaga’s meter, and what was his real identity?
Answer: The man was Osei, a police colleague of Kanjaga, working undercover as a meter reader.
23. What information did Sukwei reveal about Samu’s control over the police?
Answer: Samu bribes the police to avoid interference and has allies like Inspector Bledu in their ranks.
24. What happened to the four undercover policemen who tried to investigate the galamsey operation?
Answer: They were captured, and after one died from injuries and a digger was killed, the remaining three were executed and all bodies were dumped in a pit.
25. Why did Kanjaga circle the block twice before going to the Twilight Bar?
Answer: He wanted to ensure he wasn’t being followed before meeting Osei.
26. What was in the parcel Kanjaga handed over to Osei at the Twilight Bar?
Answer: Half a million cedis he had extorted from his boss as part of his undercover operation.
27. Why did Kanjaga want headquarters to investigate the origin of Grand Whisky?
Answer: He believed it might provide a lead in his investigation and didn’t want to overlook any potential clues.
28. What reason did Kanjaga give Frema for his occupation?
Answer: He claimed he was a security guard at one of the hotels.
29. How did Frema gain access to Kanjaga’s apartment when he wasn’t home?
Answer: She used a set of master keys provided by Samu.
30. What did Frema report to Samu after searching Kanjaga’s apartment?
Answer: She found nothing incriminating—no documents, gold, or weapons.
31. Why did Samu assign Frema to watch over Kanjaga?
Answer: He didn’t fully trust new recruits and feared police infiltration, so he used Frema to spy on Kanjaga.
32. What was Kanjaga’s reaction when he suspected someone had entered his room?
Answer: He became extremely alert, searched his room for signs of tampering, and checked the hiding place of his sketches.
33. What did Osei reveal to Kanjaga about the Grand Whisky distillery?
Answer: Osei revealed that the whisky was made at a distillery in Accra owned by an Italian named Fellini, who also owned a knock-down furniture factory in the same compound.
34. How did Samu’s involvement with Fellini raise suspicion?
Answer: Samu’s Toyota Land Cruiser was seen entering the compound multiple times and cases of whisky were loaded into his car, suggesting a close relationship with Fellini beyond just purchasing whisky.
35. What tragic event highlighted the dangers of abandoned galamsey pits?
Answer: Two schoolboys, Amo and Asiano, drowned in an old, water-filled galamsey pit while trying to take a shortcut to school.
36. How did the community react to the boys’ drowning?
Answer: The incident caused widespread grief and sparked media criticism of the Sikaso police and security agencies for failing to control illegal galamsey operations.
37. What method did Kanjaga use to identify the person who searched his room?
Answer: He sprinkled talcum powder on the floor to detect footprints, then compared a woman’s sandal to the print, confirming it matched Frema’s.
38. Why did Frema claim she searched Kanjaga’s apartment?
Answer: She said Samu had sent her to search for any secrets or stolen gold, as he did not trust new diggers.
39. What did Osei discover in one of the old galamsey pits?
Answer: Osei found the skeletons of policemen and a police identification badge, confirming that his colleagues had been murdered and buried in the pits.
40. What happened to Kanjaga at the new riverbed digging site?
Answer: Samu accused him of being a policeman and ordered the gang to leave him in the flooding pit to die. Kanjaga was eventually rescued by a passing hunter.
41. Why did Samu and Sukwei visit Kanjaga after he was rescued from the pit?
Answer: They came to apologise for leaving him in the pit, claiming it was due to false information that he was a policeman.
42. What condition did Kanjaga set before agreeing to work for Samu again?
Answer: Kanjaga demanded a compensation of one million cedis to return to work.
43. How did Kanjaga find a way to contact Alade’s gang?
Answer: While drinking with Sukwei, he learnt about Alade’s gang and was introduced to Alade’s foreman at the Twilight Bar.
44. What tactic did Kanjaga use to impress Alade’s foreman?
Answer: He claimed he could “smell” and “taste” gold, jokingly attributing his success to a special sense for detecting gold.
45. What deal did Alade propose to Kanjaga?
Answer: Alade offered to buy the location of a rich gold site for one million cedis—half paid upfront and the rest after the first thirty ounces were mined.
46. What was Frema’s reaction when Kanjaga rejected her and accused her of betrayal?
Answer: She was shocked, hurt, and deeply upset. She confronted Samu, declared her intention to quit the gold business, and wept bitterly when she returned home.
47. Why did Samu refuse to let Frema leave the gold operation?
Answer: Samu said she knew too much and threatened her subtly, saying that quitting the business would be at her own risk.
48. What two parcels did Kanjaga hand over to Osei at the end of the chapter twelve?
Answer: One was the one million cedis compensation from Samu, and the other was the half-million advance payment from Alade for the gold site.
49. What did the police do early in the morning in Sikaso?
Answer: They launched a surprise operation using three vehicles and over 40 special police strike force members to raid two illegal galamsey sites, arresting 47 people including Alade, Sukwei, and later Samu.
50. How was Samu warned about the police presence?
Answer: A hotel worker sent a young boy to wait on the road and warn Samu about the strangers asking for him. The boy intercepted Samu on his way back to town.
51. What was Fellini’s plan when he saw the police coming?
Answer: He activated a secret escape plan he had set up years earlier, using a hidden route through his distillery to flee to Accra and try to stow away on a ship at the docks.
52. What happened when Fellini tried to board the ship?
Answer: He was intercepted by the police, including CID boss Adofo, who informed him they were going to inspect his container and that he had been caught.
53. Why did Kanjaga rush back to his apartment after the arrests?
Answer: He had forgotten his gold nugget and gold detector, which were crucial evidence for his investigation.
54. How did Frema help Kanjaga during the confrontation with Samu?
Answer: She prevented Samu from getting hold of his pistol and ultimately handed it to Kanjaga, helping save his life.
55. What significant evidence did Frema give Kanjaga after Samu’s arrest?
Answer: Two parcels of gold bars and documents listing corrupt officials, payments to Samu’s associates, and details of Samu’s transactions with Fellini.
56. What reward did Kanjaga receive from the police and the gold mining company?
Answer: He was given two medals, a cheque for one million cedis, a promotion recommendation, and a week’s holiday.
Strategic Reasoning Questions with Answers
1. Why did the CID choose Kanjaga for this mission despite his reputation for breaking rules?
Expected Insight: Although Kanjaga had a history of doing things his own way, he had an exceptional record for catching criminals. The officers believed he was the only one capable of succeeding where others had failed.
2. Why did Samu ultimately decide to hire Kanjaga despite his initial suspicions?
Expected Insight: Kanjaga’s confident manner, believable cover story, and bold negotiation for upfront payment convinced Samu that he could be a valuable and skilled addition to his team.
3. Why might Kanjaga pretend to be interested only in digging and not reveal his real intentions too soon?
Expected Insight: To maintain his cover and gain the trust of Samu and Sukwei so he can gather more intelligence about the illegal operation without raising suspicion.
4. Why do you think Samu keeps some gold in a secret deposit box unknown to Fellini?
Expected Insight: Samu may be preparing for a future where he breaks ties with Fellini or needs leverage; it’s a form of insurance in case the partnership collapses or he needs to escape quickly with wealth.
5. Why do you think Samu wanted Kanjaga to rent the specific apartment in the eastern part of town?
Expected Insight: So they could keep him under surveillance using a planted informant nearby and ensure he posed no threat to their illegal operations.
6. Why did Kanjaga pretend to agree with Sukwei’s story about killing the policemen?
Expected Insight: To maintain his cover and avoid raising suspicion, especially since Sukwei might become violent or wary if Kanjaga expressed shock or anger.
7. Why did Kanjaga decide not to confront Frema about the break-in, even though he suspected her?
Expected Insight: He didn’t want to alert her or destroy the relationship, as it might jeopardise his cover and ongoing investigation. Instead, he chose to stay cautious and moved his secret sketches to a safer location.
8. What does Frema’s behaviour suggest about her internal conflict, and how might it affect the outcome of the investigation?
Expected Insight: Frema is clearly uncomfortable working for Samu and is beginning to question her loyalty to him. Her growing affection for Kanjaga and ethical concerns could lead her to betray Samu later, potentially aiding the police investigation.
9. Why did Samu choose to abandon Kanjaga in the pit rather than confront him directly or hand him over to authorities?
Expected Insight: Samu likely feared legal exposure if he reported Kanjaga to the authorities, especially if Kanjaga was indeed a policeman. Eliminating Kanjaga discreetly by drowning him protected his operations while avoiding attention from law enforcement.
10. Was it wise for Kanjaga to trust Frema and reveal so much about himself, even after confirming her involvement with Samu? Justify your answer.
Expected Insight: No, it was risky. Although Frema appeared remorseful and claimed not to have reported him negatively, her allegiance to Samu and previous intrusion into his apartment should have warned Kanjaga to remain cautious. Emotional involvement compromised his undercover role and nearly cost him his life.
11. Why did Kanjaga agree to work with both Samu and Alade instead of withdrawing once his cover was nearly blown?
Expected Insight: Kanjaga saw an opportunity to complete his undercover mission by gaining both gang leaders’ trust. Working with both allowed him to gather more evidence and locate the gangs’ operations for the final police strike.
12. Was it risky for Kanjaga to return to work for Samu after the near-death experience? Why might he have done it anyway?
Expected Insight: Yes, it was highly risky since Samu had already tried to kill him. However, returning gave Kanjaga access to deeper criminal activity and allowed him to gather the final evidence needed to justify the raid. He likely calculated that the reward outweighed the risk—especially with Osei and the strike team on standby.
13. Why was it important for Kanjaga to retrieve the gold detector and nugget despite the risk?
Expected Insight: The nugget and detector were critical evidence proving his undercover work and linking him to the moment Samu tried to have him killed. It also added credibility to his report.
14. Why did the officers initially criticise Kanjaga for his relationship with Frema, and how did he justify it?
Expected Insight: They criticised him because agents were warned not to get involved with women due to the risk of being compromised. Kanjaga justified it by explaining that Frema ended up being a key informant and provided vital evidence that helped bring down the criminal network.
Comprehension questions with Answers
1. What physical change had Maa undergone due to the civil war?
Answer: Maa, who had always been fat and energetic, had become very thin—reduced to “skin and bone”—because of the war and lack of food.
2. Why did Maa barter her sewing machine, and what did she get in return?
Answer: Maa bartered her sewing machine for a medium tin of rice, now called “gold dust” due to scarcity. The seller demanded property instead of money.
3. How did Paye manage to find food for his family?
Answer: Paye risked his life by sneaking through dangerous streets during curfew and breaking into an abandoned shop where he found rice and tinned foods.
4. What precaution did Paye take to protect the food he found from soldiers and rebels?
Answer: Paye created a secret storage area in the ceiling of their house to hide the food and money, so soldiers wouldn’t find and seize them.
5. What does Paye’s decision to give some of the food to Louisa’s family reveal about his character?
Answer: It shows that Paye is compassionate, generous, and concerned about others, even in times of scarcity and danger.
6. How did Paye get the scar on his temple, and what did he tell his mother about it?
Answer: He was grazed by a stray bullet during a gunfight, but he told Maa he bumped into a wall in the dark to avoid worrying her.
7. Why did the soldiers come to Paye’s house, and how did the family deal with them?
Answer: The soldiers were collecting food from households. To protect Paye from being taken away, Paa bribed the soldiers with fifty dollars.
8. What role does fear play in Louisa’s appearance and behaviour?
Answer: Fear and anxiety due to the war had made Louisa, once beautiful and confident, thin and withdrawn, with dull eyes and a worried expression.
9. How did Paye and Louisa first become close?
Answer: Their friendship grew after Paye helped Louisa’s family change a flat tire on their car while they were heading to a wedding.
10. What was the family’s reaction to the radio announcement about a peacekeeping force?
Answer: They were overjoyed and hopeful at first, but their joy was quickly interrupted by the arrival of soldiers at their door.
11. Why did Paa suggest moving into the unoccupied neighbouring houses, and why did Paye reject the idea?
Answer: Paa thought it might be safer to hide next door, but Paye rejected the idea because the soldiers were searching every house, so it would not make a difference.
12. What does the soldiers’ behaviour during their search of Paye’s house reveal about the chaos and cruelty of war?
Answer: Their ruthless killing of innocent civilians and destruction of property, without evidence of wrongdoing, shows how war dehumanises people and leads to senseless violence.
13. How did Louisa’s father, Jim, inadvertently contribute to the tragedy at Paye’s house?
Answer: He appeared to have pointed toward Paye’s house while talking to the soldiers, which Paye interpreted as betrayal, possibly alerting them to search the house more aggressively.
14. What internal conflict did Paye face while hiding in the ceiling, and how did he resolve it?
Answer: Paye wanted to come down and fight after hearing his family’s cries, but he knew it would be suicide to face armed soldiers alone. He chose to stay hidden to survive.
15. Why did Paye refuse Louisa’s help in burying his family, and what does this reveal about his emotional state?
Answer: He was angry, grieving, and possibly blamed her father for the soldiers’ visit. His refusal shows his pain, bitterness, and need to grieve alone.
16. Why did Paye finally decide to leave his home and seek refuge elsewhere?
Answer: He felt emotionally overwhelmed, unsafe, and isolated. The house, now filled with memories of his murdered family, became unbearable.
17. How does Louisa demonstrate growth in courage and independence throughout these chapters?
Answer: She defies her father, risks her life searching for Paye, and bravely confronts armed rebels to get past a checkpoint—all showing resilience and moral strength.
18. What effect did Louisa’s defiance at the rebel roadblock have on the crowd and the rebels themselves?
Answer: Her courage inspired the rebels to rethink their actions and let the crowd pass, showing how individual bravery can influence collective outcomes.
19. How do the experiences of Paye and Louisa reflect the broader impact of war on young people?
Answer: They both endure loss, trauma, fear, and disillusionment, yet they also show resilience, determination, and maturity beyond their years.
20. What does Louisa’s persistent search for Paye, despite all dangers, suggest about her feelings towards him?
Answer: It suggests deep affection, loyalty, and possibly love. Her determination shows how personal relationships can provide purpose and hope amid devastation.
21. Why did Paye suggest barricading the church doors, and how did his friend respond?
Answer: Paye suggested using benches and tables to barricade the church doors for protection. His friend questioned whether such a barricade could withstand bullets and mortar shells, causing Paye to abandon the idea.
22. What prompted Louisa to risk her life to find Paye?
Answer: Louisa said she was driven by something she couldn’t explain—her deep concern and feelings for Paye.
23. How did Louisa and Paye survive the massacre at the church?
Answer: They were sleeping behind the altar, where the air was stuffy but provided a shield. Bodies piled on top of them during the shooting, and this helped them avoid detection by the soldiers.
24. What did Paye do when he realised Louisa was buried under dead bodies?
Answer: He struggled to free himself and then worked hard to remove the bodies covering Louisa, eventually pulling her out to safety on the veranda.
25. How did Jim react when Louisa and Paye returned home?
Answer: Jim was initially furious and shocked, especially with Louisa. He accused her of being foolish and expressed his frustration about her disappearance and defiance.
26. Why did Paye kill the soldier who stayed behind at his house?
Answer: Paye, overwhelmed by grief and rage over the death of his family and the massacre at the church, strangled the soldier in an act of revenge.
27. What decision did Paye make after hearing the BBC announcement about ECOMOG?
Answer: He decided to leave Liberia immediately to escape the war and seek a better future, possibly in another West African country.
28. What tragic event occurred as Paye and Jim’s family headed for the port?
Answer: A pick-up truck carrying armed men fired into the crowd, killing many. Jim and his wife were among those shot and killed.
29. How did Paye break the news of her parents’ death to Louisa?
Answer: He gently told her what he had witnessed at the Johnson Street junction, including the deaths of her parents, but was unsure about her sisters’ fate.
30. How did Louisa respond to the news about her parents, and what did it show about her character?
Answer: Louisa was devastated and cried deeply, but she did not break down completely. Her eventual willingness to eat and talk again showed her resilience and strength despite the trauma.
31. Why did Paye decide to cultivate a garden in the refugee camp?
Answer: Paye was not used to being idle all day, so he took the opportunity offered by the authorities to cultivate a plot of land to keep himself busy and productive.
32. What crops did Paye grow, and how did Louisa contribute to the gardening efforts?
Answer: Paye planted cabbage, lettuce, and shallots. Louisa helped by forking the soil, removing dead leaves, and fetching water from the stream, sometimes working harder than Paye.
33. What showed that Paye and Louisa were beginning to rebuild their lives and find hope?
Answer: Their successful harvest and the money they earned from selling their vegetables, along with Louisa’s job offer and Paye’s potential return to university, showed they were beginning to move forward and rebuild their lives.
34. How did Paye feel about Louisa’s beauty, and how did this affect him?
Answer: Paye admired Louisa’s beauty and noticed her physical features returning to their former charm. He often found himself staring at her and feeling attracted to her, showing he was developing deeper feelings.
35. What was Jawulu’s attitude toward Paye and Louisa’s relationship, and what did he plan to do?
Answer: Jawulu was jealous and resentful of Paye. He believed Louisa should be with someone like him and, with his friends, planned to separate the two by threatening Paye.
36. How did Paye respond when Jawulu and his friends threatened him to leave Louisa?
Answer: Paye stood his ground, confronted them with confidence, and physically overpowered Jawulu, showing he was not afraid and would not be intimidated into giving up Louisa.
37. What advice did Paye give Jawulu after they reconciled?
Answer: Paye encouraged Jawulu to pursue his education again and offered to help him apply to the university, emphasising unity among Liberians regardless of ethnic background.
38. What conflict arose between Paye and Louisa regarding their relationship?
Answer: Louisa wanted to marry soon and suggested at least wearing an engagement ring, but Paye felt it was too early due to his studies. Louisa felt hurt by his reluctance, leading to emotional tension.
39. Who was Smart, and how did he influence Louisa?
Answer: Smart was a wealthy, well-dressed Liberian businessman staying at the Black Star Hotel. He charmed Louisa with his friendliness and wealth, inviting her for outings and suggesting she move in with him, causing emotional confusion for her.
40. How did Paye react after seeing Louisa with Smart, and what advice did he receive from Yemidi?
Answer: Paye was deeply shocked and saddened. Yemidi advised him to act quickly and decide what to do about Louisa, warning him with a proverb that he might lose her if he waited too long.
41. Why did Louisa lie about the source of her new dress when she visited Paye?
Answer: She claimed it was from an allowance provided by her hotel job, but in reality, it was bought by Smart. She lied to conceal her growing closeness with him.
42. How did Louisa feel when the students catcalled and whistled at her during her visit to Paye’s hall?
Answer: She felt embarrassed at first, but relaxed after Paye reassured her that it was just a playful tradition for welcoming beautiful female visitors.
43. What reason did Paye give for not wanting to marry Louisa immediately?
Answer: He explained that he was burdened by the responsibility of continuing his late father’s legacy, and wanted to first complete his university education before marriage.
44. What evidence made Paye question Louisa’s loyalty to him?
Answer: Paye had seen Louisa being kissed by another man (Smart) outside her apartment, which led him to suspect she had another relationship.
45. What advice did Yemidi, the porter, give to Paye regarding his relationship with Louisa?
Answer: Yemidi told Paye that if he wanted peace of mind to study, he must either marry Louisa or forget her completely, as she was too attractive and would continue to be a distraction.
46. How did Louisa react to the suggestion from her hotel friend to marry Smart?
Answer: She was uncertain. While she liked the comfort Smart could offer, she doubted if he would be reliable in tough times like Paye had been.
47. What caused Louisa to finally break off her engagement to Smart?
Answer: She discovered that Smart had several other women and was unfaithful. The final straw was when one of the women came to insult her and threatened to disrupt the wedding.
48. How did Louisa manage to avoid detection by the chief porter when she visited Paye after curfew?
Answer: She hid inside Paye’s wardrobe while the chief porter inspected the room. Paye left the door tied open and pretended to be studying, helping to conceal her presence.
49. What news did Louisa share with Paye that brought him joy apart from her return?
Answer: Louisa received a letter from her sisters, revealing that they were alive and in Freetown, which gave both of them great relief and happiness.
50. How did the relationship between Paye and Louisa change by the end of Chapter 16?
Answer: They reconciled, expressed their love openly, and agreed that they should marry soon. They acknowledged the impact of the war but chose to look forward to building a future together.
Strategic reasoning questions
These questions encourage students to analyse characters’ decisions, motivations, and the possible consequences of their actions:
1. How does the experience of displacement and life in the refugee camp affect the identities and aspirations of characters like Paye and Louisa?
Expected Insight:
Students should explore how the trauma of war and displacement reshapes the characters’ goals, attitudes, and sense of self. Despite hardship, characters like Paye strive for education and a better future, while Louisa seeks emotional stability and belonging, showing resilience and transformation.
2. In what ways does jealousy begin to emerge in the relationships among the characters, and what does this reveal about their emotional vulnerabilities?
Expected Insight:
Students should analyse how feelings of jealousy—whether subtle or overt—begin to affect trust and communication, especially in Paye and Louisa’s relationship. This reveals insecurities shaped by past losses and the uncertain future they face.
3. How do the characters’ decisions during this stage of the story reflect the tension between personal desires and communal/familial responsibilities?
Expected Insight:
Students should reflect on how choices made by Paye, Louisa, or Jawulu show a struggle between pursuing individual goals (like love or education) and fulfilling responsibilities to family, memory, or community—an internal conflict shaped by their cultural values and experiences of war.
4. Why does Paye’s reluctance to marry Louisa immediately reflect his values and personal priorities, and how does this conflict shape their relationship?
Expected Insight:
Students should recognise that Paye values education, responsibility, and legacy (especially fulfilling his father’s dreams), which makes him cautious about rushing into marriage. This creates tension with Louisa, who seeks emotional and financial security, illustrating a clash between love, ambition, and societal expectations.
5. How does the portrayal of Louisa’s internal conflict between marrying for love (Paye) and for comfort (Smart) reflect broader societal pressures faced by women?
Expected Insight:
Students should explore the theme of gender expectations. Louisa feels pressure to secure stability through marriage, a reflection of societal norms that value women more for their associations with powerful men than their independence. Her decision-making highlights the emotional toll and personal sacrifices such norms can impose.
6. What role does the university environment (especially Cocoa Hall and its traditions) play in shaping the decisions and emotions of the characters, particularly Paye?
Expected Insight:
Students should analyse how the university environment symbolizes freedom, distraction, peer pressure, and youthful energy. For Paye, it becomes both a refuge for personal growth and a testing ground for emotional and moral choices. The environment intensifies his internal conflict between focus and temptation, maturity and impulsiveness.
7. Why does Paye decide to focus on his education despite the emotional and financial challenges he faces? What alternative strategies could he have chosen, and why might he have rejected them?
Expected Insight:
Students should recognise that Paye sees education as a long-term solution to his problems. Alternatives like seeking immediate employment or relying on aid might compromise his dignity or future prospects.
8. What might have motivated Louisa to pursue a job at the hotel, and how does this decision strategically position her for independence or future security?
Expected Insight:
Students should discuss Louisa’s choice as a survival tactic—both emotionally and financially—and how it gives her agency in a world where many women rely on others for support.
9. Given Jawulu’s growing emotional attachment to Louisa, what strategic risks does he take by remaining close to her? How might this impact the dynamics among the three main characters?
Expected Insight:
Students should consider how emotional decisions may complicate personal relationships, especially in a post-conflict environment where loyalty and gratitude can easily become blurred with romantic interest.
10. If you were in Louisa’s position, would you choose to support Paye in his studies or focus on building a life with someone already established, like Smart? What would be the long-term implications of each choice?
Expected Insight:
This question asks students to weigh loyalty and love against security and stability, highlighting the strategic considerations involved in romantic and life decisions after trauma.
1. The narrator was awakened by the terrifying sound of gunshots during a coup attempt.
2. He wanted him to take cover and avoid getting hit by stray bullets.
3. The radio broadcast confirmed that the event was not just a coup but a revolution. The speaker was J.J., who declared the beginning of a new political order aiming for citizen involvement in governance.
4. They hid behind a large deep freezer for safety, sweating and terrified, while waiting for the situation to calm down.
5. His mother and sisters were packing suitcases, and the clothes laid out for him were not his school uniform, suggesting they were preparing to relocate.
6. They moved to Auntie Adwoa’s house for safety after the coup, and Kay disliked the place, calling it a “refugee camp.” He felt uncomfortable and excluded from decisions.
7. They adapted by sending family members and the house help to queue as separate individuals to bypass ration limits and bring home more bread or kenkey.
8. There were food shortages, long queues for basic items like bread and kenkey, soldiers rationing goods, scarcity of flour, milk, and sugar, and the narrator’s parents visibly losing weight.
9. He was involved with the Special Branch (secret service) and had to hide or flee for safety. The crisis caused him stress, and he grew lean from the scarcity and had his uniform adjusted due to weight loss.
10. His questioning shows he is curious, observant, and emotionally affected by the events around him. Despite being young, he notices the adults’ struggles and wants to understand and help.
11. He was tired of working in the secret service and felt that they always became targets during coups, so he wanted a safer position.
12. Their belongings went by police truck, but the family travelled by military aircraft from the Air Force base.
13. They were excited, especially Maa, who was happy to finally have land to farm. The environment was calm, and food was abundant compared to Accra.
14. Mr. Alhassan was the labourer assigned to help them with work around the compound. He introduced himself to Maa the morning after their arrival.
15. His English was funny to them—he mispronounced names and used masculine pronouns for everyone. He was also full of confidence and stories, such as having a magical farming charm.
16. He bought two copies each of Graphic and Mirror instead of one each of Times, Spectator, Graphic, and Mirror because the vendor didn’t have Times and Spectator.
17. They planted maize, yam (especially larbrikor), and groundnuts.
18. The rains delayed, so Dad arranged for the police tanker driver, Papa Control, to water the crops weekly until it started raining.
19. He suggested irrigation with a dam and pumps, showing his curiosity, intelligence, and problem-solving mindset.
20. Mr. Alhassan disturbed the bees while cutting branches from a tree for yam stakes.
21. They ran away immediately when Mr. Alhassan shouted, fearing danger though they didn’t initially know it was bees.
22. He was badly stung, especially on his head, which swelled significantly, and had to be taken to the hospital.
23. He was cheerful, smiling, and joked about the incident. He even quickly ate the food they brought, showing he was recovering well.
24. Kay noted that although they had many crops, their diet was mainly carbohydrates. He said they needed protein and vegetables for balanced nutrition and true food security.
25. He suggested rearing livestock, specifically poultry, since he had learnt how to do so in school.
26. Dad had already ordered the wood for the hen coop and day-old chicks, and had the carpenter build the coop under the big tree.
27. There was a shortage of day-old chicks due to import restrictions. The chicks were usually imported from Holland.
28. He was surprised and disappointed. He questioned why Ghana had to import chicks and wondered what was done with all the eggs in the country.
29. The chicks arrived in boxes with holes. The family spread sawdust on the coop floor, set up feeders and water dispensers, and installed light bulbs to keep the chicks warm.
30. He monitored the chickens daily after school and took stock of their feed, seeing himself as the ‘monitoring officer.’
31. Maa screamed after spotting a snake in the coop, causing alarm in the house.
32. He dismissed it, thinking Maa had mistaken a rope for a snake, as she often did, and sent Kay to check it out.
33. Dad tried to kill it inside the coop, but it was Mr. Alhassan who struck it on the head with a stick as it tried to escape, killing it instantly.
34. He believed the snake had come to eat the chickens, but the chickens were now too big for it to eat.
35. They stopped using expensive premixed feed and began preparing their own feed using dried herrings, soybeans, and maize.
36. Kay is curious, responsible, and eager to apply what he learns. He is also passionate about improving his household and shows leadership qualities.
37. Maa gave the speech as the president of the Police Wives Association (POLWA) to celebrate the community›s success in achieving food security through backyard farming.
38. The speech focused on the benefits of growing one’s own food—health, sustainability, community bonding—and celebrated the success of their self-sufficient community initiative.
39. They had access to fresh, chemical-free produce, reduced their environmental footprint, saved money, improved their health, built stronger community ties, and learned agricultural skills.
40. Kay inspired the idea of expanding beyond just crops to include livestock and poultry. His curiosity and questions led to broader food security efforts, including involving neighbours.
41. Mr. Alhassan was acknowledged for his hard work and support in helping the community, especially in turning the backyard farming dream into reality.
42. A potluck is a communal meal where each guest contributes a dish. In the story, it showcased meals made with ingredients grown in the community to celebrate their self-sufficiency.
43. It shows that even small spaces can produce enough food to significantly improve nutrition, foster learning, and strengthen community bonds.
44. Kay wonders if the rest of the capital city can also achieve food security, suggesting the possibility of replicating their model more widely.
45. Maa’s tone is celebratory, grateful, and motivational. She uses it to honour the community’s efforts and encourage others to believe in the possibility of food security.
46. POLWA stands for Police Wives Association. It served as the platform through which Maa mobilised women to grow their own food and support each other.
47. It highlights issues like dependency on imports for basic resources like chicks and the underdevelopment of local hatcheries.
48. They adapt to chick shortages by being patient, prepare their own feed to reduce costs, and respond quickly and effectively to threats like the snake.
49. It shows the fear, restrictions, food shortages, and adaptations people had to make during and after coups.
50. Humour—especially through characters like Mr. Alhassan—lightens the mood, strengthens family bonds, and gives the narrator a way to process fear and uncertainty.
51. It highlights the power of grassroots leadership, especially among women, to create change through unity, collaboration, and practical action.
52. It reduces dependency on imports, ensures better nutrition, empowers citizens economically, promotes sustainability, and can boost local agriculture and education.