"Riis from Akropong"

Danish Governor is back. Did not get the permission to have English as medium of instruction in the school of the fort. Kindly disposed towards the mission (p 1). At Akropong, Widmann has begun the first Ashanti school with later 12 boys on the 24th September. Teaching is mainly in Twi but there is also a little English taught (pp 1-2). Matters concerning Thompson (p 2). pp 3-6 were written on 31st January 1845. Parts printed in Missionsmagazin 1845, pp 110-112. Not printed: Death of little Emilie Riis (p 3). The sad news of the murder of Owusu Akyem made them sick. 11 of their servants - Christiansborg men - left them secretly, fearing that the Akropong people would take revenge on them for the evil done to Akropong people in Christiansborg. They remain with the missionaries faithfully. Mrs. Riis seriously ill. Death of daughter, Owusu Akeym tragedy being too much for her. The others recovered (pp 3 f). In spite of the bitterness between Akropong and Ussu they could find Ussu people to bring them goods and they were never molested (p 4). But one day 7 Ussu carriers for the missionaries beaten and put into block by the Akropongs. In order to get them free, they had to pay 64 rigsdalers (p 4-5). Dismissal of Halleur (p 5-6). pp 6-12 written on the 12th February 1845: Arrival of the three new missionaries 17th January. Sickness of Mrs. Riis. Widmann works at a second textbook in Ashanti The first, printed in Basel, proved useful (p 6). The committee wants no station on the Coast, but Riis knows how inconvenient it is to travel up and down and up and down all the time. There should be a European at Ussu (p 7). There is a need for a Mission house in Ussu. The owner of the house where the school is now deals a lot in fetishes and therefore discredits the school’s' witness (pp 7-8). Riis asks for home leave on health reasons for himself and wife (p 8). There is no reason to make the Ashanti dictionary an Ashanti-English and German dictionary. English will do, everybody here must learn English and the dictionary must serve the Mission (p 9). About the plan to train teacher for the Gold Coast in Barbados: Not suitable, language difficulties etc. High costs (pp 9-11).

19.11.1844

12.02.1845

19.11.1844-12.02.1845

Text

12 pages