In the earlier chapters, the narrator takes us to know about the past of all-encompassing Ghana. We also become acquainted with Mama Olu’s humble beginnings in business and, now, the position of prominence she holds in her local congregation and the church.
Mama Orojo travels to Ghana to see her brother. On her way, she is greeted by an individual who is willing to sell the gold ring she has purchased to her. Nii Tackie, too, is afflicted by the truth of his tribal markings.
CHAPTER 11
Nii Tackie is at the bank at work, anxious over his thoughts about the Ant Hill Brick project. He is convinced that the project could alter the story of the construction industry in the nation. But, contrary to what Nii Tackie believes, the bank’s authorities don’t accept the project.
Linda once more reminds Nii Tackie to remember her wish. Nii Tackie accepts, and they arrange the time for the visit to be 5.30 p.m. in the later hours of the day.
In this chapter, we get the first glimpse of Joe. Although his name isn’t explicitly mentioned, his office place (the Sixth Floor of the Beyeeman Complex) and mission at the bank (which will be repeated) provide him with a loan. Also, this description:
Nii thought that the boy was blessed. He was young and had no knowledge, but his bank balance at the institution showed that the man was a millionaire. (Page 62)
Joe is also impacted by the decree of the revolutionary government that prohibits withdrawals from accounts that exceed fifty thousand cedis unless he gives proof of receipts, as well as “records which established the bank account”.
Aaron is the person who started The Ant Hill Project walks into the bank to hear the news of the project’s rejection.
CHAPTER 12
Mama Orojo swaps a few notes of naira for cedis under the guidance of the guy she encounters in the air, who wishes to offer the gold ring she has to her.
It is 1 naira for forty cedis. For one hundred naira, she gets four thousand cedis. She also is paid to the unnamed seller of rings.
There is an implicit connection to the poor Ghanaian economy, as evidenced by its low exchange rate.
Mama Orojo later books an appointment with the man the following day in Room 8 at Nova Hotel (for more gold transactions).
In the back of Expense Bank, the Bank Manager informs Aaron Tsuru regarding the bank’s decision. The manager reiterates Aaron’s idea doesn’t fit the bank’s vision or falls within the scope of the bank’s objectives.
Aaron Tsuru is greeted by Nii Tackie when Nii Tackie emerges from the office of the manager. Aaron talks to Nii Tackie about his problems regarding the project, about officials from the government who have apprehension about the project but start to not talk to him, and finally, the bank.
Nii Tackie offers his sincere support for the project.
If I had some personal funds,’ stated Nii. “I would have assisted you. […] as I am personally interested in the success of your work.’
But Aaron isn’t the type to quit easily. He states:
“But I’ll fight for. […] The solution is not in this nation. .’
From the excerpt above, It appears that Aaron might be thinking about moving out of the country, as do most people “its creative thinkers, inventors, and innovators”.
CHAPTER 13
Mama Orojo takes a taxi. The driver, who was once involved in a criminal gold-related business known as Daga, informs her that the ring of gold she loves very dearly is not real.
Mama Orojo realizes she has been tricked. The driver brings her to a police station close to the airport, where she can file her complaint.
The scene is changed into Expense Bank. Aaron has gone. Joe is introduced to the main story. Joe complains to Nii Tackie over not being allowed to take his money out of the “own account in the bank” without an Attorney General’s permission letter. He explains his desperate need for money.
Nii Tackie tells Joe that there is nothing he can do when Joe wants to help. He states:
“You’re suggesting to me that I change a man to an attractive woman? […] It is not even the head in Ghana’s Bank of Ghana can withdraw funds from his account in the event that the account is more than 50 thousand cedis . . .’
The writer brings us back to the man who is not named, who is hidden behind a huge teak tree, sees Mama Orojo entering the police station to file a complaint. He then heads off to Korle Lagoon, where he changes to new clothes.
A quick look at his character will reveal that he does have some sort of relationship with Joe. Also, there is clear evidence that he is an individual with many names:
His occupations were as diverse as his names. (Page 73)
In the police station, Mama Orojo realizes the man is wanted as a criminal, identified as I-Put it-to-me. The sergeant in charge promises to him that his officers will investigate the matter.
In the midst of the Police Station, an officer (with A.1601) approaches Mama Orojo. And invites her to a person who is a dealer in gold that is pure. After weighing her options, Mama Orojo agrees to follow the corporal.
Being a policeman provided her with some protection. (Page 76)
Mama Orojo’s con artist (a.k.a. “the man”, “I-Put-it-to me) happens to be the exact taxi driver that drove Mama Orojo just a few minutes ago.
The driver, who is a jovial person, discusses the way in which some of his customers were cheated during the flight between Lagos and Accra. The passenger quickly lies about the flight information and claims that he flew on the Rome-Paris-Accra flight. He does this to keep from being questioned.
CHAPTER 14
The narrator leads us to the sixth floor of the Beyeeman complex.
In this scene, we meet an unidentified individual who is occupying an office that flanks Joe’s office. Joe’s office is Room 5.
What we can learn from the man’s name is that he’s involved in illegal mining. The job he is doing and his source of livelihood are under threat by security forces and vigilante groups who want to keep our country safe from activities of criminals as well as social criminals. A majority of his clients have fled to hide in order to avoid arrest. That’s a poor business.
Joe is working in his office and is looking over the bank statements of his account in the foreign country (a balance of around forty thousand pounds). Joe is thankful to Nii Tackie, who gave him the suggestion to store a portion of his earnings through a foreign account.
He is thinking of purchasing the two rooms on opposite ends of the office (Room four and room six). He is willing to pay double the rent to purchase both rooms. He is looking to expand his office since he plans to enter the mining industry legally. The initial plan was to construct a massive office building, but it will have to wait until the Mineral Board’s final decision regarding the possibility of legal mining to everyone.
Similar to the man with no identity, He is also involved in illegal mining and is being affected by the latest security measures. He should not visit the gold mines to extract gold. The Daga group and the Daga group come up with ways to supply their foreign clients with the precious stones inside the digestive tracts of birds.
In response to this, the government imposes an end to exporting birds.
Joe estimates his net worth and is proud of himself. Joe sees one of the men in room Six, and the man who is not identified appears familiar to him. It’s not too surprising, considering that the two are both involved in illegal mining.
Mama Orojo and the Corporal are headed towards Beyeeman Complex.
In Nigeria, Tom Monday is trying to write a romantic letter to Mama Orojo. He’s written two letters and is now on the third. He is of the opinion that the first two letters are not appropriate for a highly important woman such as Mama Orojo. In the end, he winds in writing:
“I love you, Mama. I’m all in favor of getting married. Give me a chance …’
He wrote about a few religions before he encased his letter in an envelope and sent the letter the address of Mama Orojo.
Chapter 15
The storyteller tells us Joe’s story. Joe himself has said it was “a mixture of chance and hard work”. Gold dealer millionaire used to be an apprentice tailor in Oda. His chance of becoming a tailor came to an end after his teacher Alvorovo went to the city to find more green pastures.
Joe was in a state of confusion until a long-lost acquaintance, Kuuku, was able to visit him and inform the story of Daga in which people mine diamonds and gold in a way that is illegal. Kuuku was “a private dealer” and had made millions by illegal mining; “he already had two cars and a house”. He also informed Joe of the risks and the possibility of being arrested or shot.
Joe was not the first to go with Kuuku in Daga. He tried his hand at some other opportunities. He wandered around through the streets in Oda and, later, Accra in search of work. He even sold chains for dogs at some time.
Then he met the Tally O and went on his first trip to Daga. At the age of thirty and still a bachelor, the man has made a significant amount of money from his mining business which is illegal. Prior to his wealth being made, he lived an uncontrolled lifestyle and was married to two women who were unable to muster the confidence to claim due to the cost of living.
Corporal, as well as Mama Orojo, visit Joe’s workplace to interrupt his thoughts. The corporal informs Joe about Mama’s fascination and the way she was scammed on the Lagos to Accra flight in the morning. Joe sells her gold. Mama Orojo promises to come to buy more if the gold sells at the Lagos Market.
Joe decides to take on the role of a gracious host. He brings the guests into Beyes Restaurant for a good dinner. Just as they prepare to leave, a friend of his, Naidoo, who is a member of the Minerals Board, comes to inform him of the recommendation of the Minerals Board for an extensive gold hunt for investors from both the local and foreign markets. This implies that illegal miners such as Joe are legally able to mine gold. The doorway to Room Six is shut almost immediately. It appears its owner is listening in on Joe’s and Naidoo’s conversations.
Joe is extremely excited about the possibility of going into mining that is legal, and likely believes that Mama Orojo is carrying some luck. Mama Orojo is excited too due to her latest gold acquisition; and about her new business venture.
In the Beyes restaurant, Joe feels they were created by the staff since the food served appears to be lower than the amount they paid for. However, he doesn’t ever complain. The lucky ones get food. Beyes Restaurant is frequented by many patrons, and a large number of them do not have their orders ready prior to the time that the restaurant runs empty of meals.
The owner of the establishment is seen walking through. He is a close friend of Joe and also a business associate of Joe in the illicit mining industry. He appears to be in a state of distress and appears to be struggling with issues on his own. He shares with Joe about the time that the police were there and searched his home to find one I-Put-it. Are you familiar with him? Yes, that’s the guy who deceived Mama Orojo. They say he is employed within one office of Beyeeman Complex.
The owner of Beye’s Restaurant and landlord of Beyeeman Complex is then summoned by the information Bureau and indicted for paying five million dollars in taxes that he has to pay to protect his head. Joe couldn’t find who was the person going with the obscure name “I-Put-it-to-me”. The old man tells Joe to keep his mouth shut since “the whole of Beyeeman is under the close watch of the security forces”:
“Let us observe, be aware of stones until the dust has settled.’
As they exit their restaurant, Joe takes a break and leaves Mama Orojo with the Police Corporal in the corridor that runs through Beyes Restaurant. Joe heads into Expense Bank to share with Nii Tackie “the news of the proposed privatization of the mines”. Nii Tackie congratulates him, and Joe rushes back to the restaurant to meet Mama Orojo.
Proposition: If Joe had taken Mama Orojo and the Corporal to the bank, Mama Orojo and Nii Tackie would have met with each other, and the story would end here. The closest Mama Orojo comes to reuniting with her long-lost brother.
Joe, as well as the corporal, is with Mama Orojo to the airport. They travel on foot because of the lack of fuel. While walking, they encounter an acquaintance of Joe who, after having sat for five hours waiting at a fuel station without success, offers to drive their passengers on a trip to the airport.
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