If you are an avid reader of the Daily Graphic newspaper, you may have encountered the popular series “Abrokyire Abrabo: My Wahala in Germany.”
This series, which chronicles the author’s experiences in Germany, has been compiled into a 30-chapter book.
Edmund Smith-Asante, a former Regional Page Editor of the Daily Graphic, unveiled this bilingual book to the world at an event held at the British Council in Accra on October 15, 2026.
The book is printed on art paper with a 3D spot-varnish embossed cover for both the front and back.
The English section comprises 145 pages, while the German section has 126 pages.
The book also contains photographs and reproductions from the newspaper series.
Smith-Asante decided to share his three-week experience with German readers by translating the book into German.
The move was intended to give Germans, who hold their language in high esteem, an opportunity to read his account and gain insights from the perspective of an African who had the privilege of exploring key areas of their country.
Chapters
The book opens with an author's note, where he shares the motivation behind writing it.
He recounts how the idea arose after his first night in Berlin, where he attended a two-week course in newspaper management organised by the International Institute of Journalism.
Chapter One, titled "The Newspaper Management Course," includes subtitles such as "My Trip from Ghana," "Arrival at Frankfurt," and "At the Arrival Hall."
The author details his journey to Berlin in November 2009, where he was one of 14 middle-level journalists from Africa and Asia participating in a German-sponsored three-week training in newspaper management.
Chapters Two and Three focus on "Security Check" and "Arrival at Berlin Tegel Airport Taxi Ride", respectively.
Smith-Asante describes how he missed his connecting flight due to strict security checks and details the luxurious ride he enjoyed in a Mercedes-Benz taxi from Tegel Airport to his apartment—a mode of transport not typically used as a taxi in Ghana.
In Chapters Four and Five, titled "Arrival at Guest House" and "Welcome Dinner," the author describes his comfortable accommodation with a kitchenette and other amenities and recounts the hours-long wait for his luggage.
The Welcome Dinner featured a buffet with a variety of dishes, though he humorously notes that rice was the only familiar food.
Chapters Six, Seven and Eight cover "Wooden Barracks," "Exploring Shopping Facilities," and "Intriguing Metro Bus and Train".
The author shares his experience at the Galeria Kaufhof Shopping Mall, where he noted that one could spend an entire day shopping without realising it, though the challenge lay in the German inscriptions and language barriers with shop attendants.
The narrative continues with Chapters Nine, 10, and 11, focusing on "Tour of Berlin City," "Berlin Wall," and "Fall of Berlin Wall Anniversary".
On November 8, 2009, the author's first Sunday in Germany, he toured significant sites such as the Holocaust Memorial and the remnants of the Berlin Wall.
Chapters 12 through 15 include "Visit to Estrel Berlin", "The Estrel Convention Centre", "Stars in Concert", and "Taste of German Cinema."
Smith-Asante shares memorable moments from the "Stars in Concert" live show, which travelled through music history, celebrating iconic artists.
Chapters 16 through 20 delve into various experiences, including the "Shopping Headache", "Trip to Hamburg", "Arrival", "Tour of Hamburg", "Dinner at Restaurant Fischerhaus", and "Hamburg’s Economy and Harbour".
The author describes Hamburg as home to Europe’s second-largest container harbour, highlighting its rich cultural scene with numerous theatres, museums, and restaurants.
In Chapters 21 through 25, Smith-Asante recounts visits to G+J and Financial Times, his return trip to Berlin, and memorable experiences such as a farewell dinner and ballroom dancing at Clarchens Ballhaus.
On November 16, 2009, he visited G+J, a hub of influential media brands, and attended a classical concert at the Berliner Philharmonie.
The final Chapters 26 to 30 encapsulate the author’s last day in Berlin, visits to Axel Springer, the farewell ceremony, fond memories, and a near-miss flight back home.
At the farewell ceremony, participants candidly shared their thoughts, followed by the presentation of certificates.
Smith-Asante concludes with a humorous account of nearly missing his flight due to an oversight regarding his return ticket status—emphasising the sentiment of "Abrokyire abrabo, na wa ho!"
This engaging exploration of Smith-Asante's experiences in Germany is a rich blend of cultural insight, humour, and personal reflection, making it a delightful read for anyone interested in the challenges and adventures of living abroad.
Copies can be obtained in bookshops across the country or through the author via
smithasanteedmund2009 @gmail.com or the Head office of the Graphic Communications Group Ltd.
