The "Big Apple" Jazz Dance (information and two late 1930s film clips)

Vintage Swing Dance, June 14, 2015

From the movie: KEEP PUNCHING 1939 The Big Apple contest featuring Whitey's Lindy Hoppers.

**** Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents information about the "Big Apple".

This post also showcases two historical film clips of the "Big Apple" from the late 1930s (United
States).

The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the unknown creators of this dance. Thanks also to the film makers,  all those who are featured in these film clips, and the publisher of these film clips on YouTube.  Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post. 

****
SHOWCASE FILM CLIP #2: DANCING THE BIG APPLE:1937: African-Americans ignite a National Craze

DancetimePublication, Jul 27, 2010

….This innovative documentary, DANCING THE BIG APPLE 1937: African Americans Inspire a National Craze, explores the Big Apple dance in the context of American history.

Movie: Dancing the Big Apple 1937

****
INFORMATION ABOUT AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE "BIG APPLE"
Excerpt #1
From https://www.streetswing.com/histmain/z3bigapl.htm
"The Big Apple is a group participation circle dance that uses swing dance for a host of steps. The Big Apple has some roots in the Ring Shout and Square Dance as well. Sometimes a solo or couple would perform in the center of the circle (like today's modern jams) as the rest of the dancers would dance in a circle around them.

Most people think of New York when they hear the name, but the Big Apple actually originated at the "Big Apple Night Club" in the Palmetto state of Columbia, South Carolina around 1936.

 The night club was actually a abandoned African-American church (originally the 'House of Peace Synagogue') converted into a nightclub. The club used a "Nickelodeon" for its music and had a balcony around the floor where dancers stood and watched. It's rumored that dancers got so excited one night that the Balcony collapsed!. The University of South Carolina students expanded it's popularity all the way to New York.

The Big Apple spread all over the states and soon the smaller taverns and dance halls were posting apologetic signs: "Sorry, No Big Apple. Not enough room". Some ballrooms who had balconies or dance floors on the second story collapsed due to the weight of the people doing the Big Apple. Many people where hurt in the collapse and some establishments refused to allow people to do the Big Apple due to insurance reasons and fear that someone might get hurt.

This dance is cued by a caller, dancers performed moves from the Lindy Hop, Shag, and Charleston, and popular jazz steps like Trucking and Pecking. Some of the names of steps were called "Spank The Baby, Praise Allah, Rusty Dusty, Charleston, Suzy-Q, Pose & A Peck, Boogie Back, Shorty George, Truckin, The Little Apple., The Little Peach"-- (Little Peach-Invented by Collage Kids in So. Carolina) and more, were all swing type fad dances of the time, these Fad or Novelty dances lasted only a couple years. Over time most of these steps have resurfaced as the same dance or a variation of the dance.

"Swing As Away Of Life" states : (book) 'The Big Apple started when the band leader (or any dancer) cried out, "Cut The Apple!" and dancers formed circles of 8 to 10 people each. At the callers cry of " Come on and swing," the dancers would break into the Charleston swing (Lindy Hop), a more violent version of the previous decades Charleston. Each dancer would step forward on his left foot and kick the right foot up, then step back on the right foot to the rear. Soon the whole circle would be a flurry of flying feet and counter-flying arms and elbows. When the caller yelled "Truck To the Right!", each dancer would face right, raise the admonitory index finger, step forward and pivot .. etc .' ...

 "Down Memory Lane" states : (book) " The Big Apple was a group participation dance that included all the earlier swing steps and required a caller. The dance started off with a march; as the couples formed into a ring, the caller would shout "Shine" and ask for one of the swing steps listed above. A single couple would take the initiative, step into the center of the ring, and perform the Jive gyrations. During the "Shine" episode the on-looking dancers remain in the circle, clapping hands, beating time, and shouting and catcalling in loud enthusiasm."... **** Excerpt #2 From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Apple_(dance) "The Big Apple is both a partner dance and a circle dance that originated in the Afro-American community of the United States in the beginning of the 20th century.

History

Origin (1860–1936)

The exact origin of the Big Apple is unclear but one author suggests that the dance originated from the "ring shout", a group dance associated with religious observances that was founded before 1860 by African Americans on plantations in South Carolina and Georgia.[1] The ring shout is described as a dance with "counterclockwise circling and high arm gestures" that resembled the Big Apple."

[...]

The dance that eventually became known as the Big Apple is speculated to have been created in the early 1930s by African-American youth dancing at the Big Apple Club, which was at the former House of Peace Synagogue on Park Street in Columbia, South Carolina.[3] The synagogue was converted into a black juke joint called the "Big Apple Night Club".[2][3][4][5][6]

[...] Related dances

The Big Apple has many commonalities with Afro-American vernacular partner dances of the early part of the century through the 1930s and '40s. Dances such as the Cakewalk, Black Bottom, Charleston, and Lindy Hop share both similar elements and a common underlying improvisational spirit.

Moves

The moves are frequently used in Lindy Hop. This is also used as a warm up before Lindy Hop classes. Note that the moves are very 8-count centered, like tap dance. That is, they almost all start on count 8.

Susie Q Right: Both feet are placed together facing the center of the circle. Left hand clasps the right (think "synergy"), both heels scoot to the right, then both toes 4 slow, 8 quick. Typically "reverse" is then called and you go back the other way. 8 counts each way.

Susie Q left: this is the 'Susie Q' that most Lindy Hoppers know. Left foot starts over right hand should be 90 degrees (like a forklift), palms down, wrists may pull hands up arms swing left to right. Twist left heel while right foot steps out and to the left, repeat. "reverse" goes the other way. Same timing as Susie Q right (slow, slow, slow, slow, quick, quick, quick, quick, quick, quick, quick, quick).

Apple Jacks: With feet close together take tiny steps in place. When stepping with the right foot, let the right knee cross in front of the left knee, twisting hips to the left. With upper body bend down, with fingers pointed at the floor, twisting shoulders opposite hips. On the next step reverse the direction of knees, hips, shoulders. Each step is one count.

Break a Leg:

Break Step:

London Bridge:

Shout: Open arms wide.

Swivels: Swivels while walking.

Spank the Baby: Step out with left foot, bring right foot together, meanwhile raising the left arm in the air and making a spanking motion toward one's own behind with the right hand. Spank the baby is done while walking in a circle (not around the circle).

Tick Tock: Put heels together with weight on the back of one foot and the front of the other, then shift toes together and the heels apart and alternate the weight on the feet and repeat the actions to create a sideways travelling motion while at the same time the forearms move in front of the torso then out to the sides in time with the shifting of the feet.

Truckin: Truckin is a shuffle step variation popularized after the vaudeville era. The right hand is held up (as in a right turn signal) with the index finger extended and wagging. In Harlem Truckin the shoulder is set back. Feet are parallel at all times. With both feet together and facing slight left the right foot scoopes down and brushes the floor, the left foot is then gathered at the right ankle and the right heel twists (this should cause forward movement as the foot scoopes past the other foot). The action is repeated creating a "hearts in the snow" effect from the overlapping steps. At the same time the left hand is placed over the stomach (like a waiter holding a towel) and never really moves. The stomach twistes with the feet therefore, the "stomach rubs the hand". If truckin is being done around a circle the outside hand is always up.

Pose and Peck: Put hands on hips, and do pecking with head.

Scarecrow: First 4 counts are Charleston basic.

Second 4 counts, put upper arms straight out to side, and let forearms dangle loosely, and tilt head to side. Often the feet are slightly apart, with the knees drooping together.

Shorty George: Named for George Snowden. Walk a straight line using very small steps. Keep upper body upright while dramatically bending knees. With each step, let the opposite knee push toward the back of the knee of the leading foot, causing both knees to shift right when stepping with right foot and shift left when stepping with left foot.

Shoulders alternate, pushing down toward the leading foot, so that when the knees are pushed to the right, the right shoulder sinks downward and the left shoulder becomes raised. Each step is one count.

Little Peach: Touch the side of your nose twice, once with your left hand and once with your right.

Hitch Hike:

Boogie Back: Lean forward and bend knees. Clap hands on the even counts and hop backwards on the odd counts.

Boogie Forward: Straighten up and throw hands in the air. Each step starts from forward roll the hip, which then moves to the side and settles back as the step with the other foot begins. Each step is two counts.

Praises: The traditional ending the big apple.

Everyone runs to the center of the circle and shouts "Hallelujah" while throwing hands in the air from a bent over posture. It may also be called just "Hallelujah".

Rusty Dusty: Hold pant legs up and shake the dust out of them.

Charleston: See solo Charleston moves. This move is actually called "Big apple swing".

Fall Off the Log: Kick right leg to the side, then step behind with your right foot, out with your left foot, and in place with your right foot. Repeat this on the left side.

**** Thanks for visiting pancocojams. Visitor comments are welcome.

"Ballin' The Jack" Jazz Dance (three film clips, information, & song lyrics)

Beats Exotiques, Nov 16, 2014

Fascinating dance film footage of swing dancers in a black club in the US in 1914. I found a silent version and overdubbed it with "Ballin 'the Jack" by Kid Ory, a jazz hit from 1913 which seems to work with the routine!

Jazz routines like the 'Big Apple' are still danced in circles in swing clubs today. Everyone is clearly having a great time. Love the men fanning their coat tails to the ladies!

Check out the snare played side drum style in this rare footage. Ory's band in New Orleans in the 1910s was hiring many of the great jazz musicians of the city including "King" Oliver and Louis Armstrong.
-snip-
I think that the portion of this film clip that begins at 1:32 to the end of the clip is the portion that features the "balling the Jack" dance and the early portion features the "Big Apple" dance. 

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents information about "Ballin' the Jack".

This post also showcases two film clips of "Ballin' the Jack" from the early 1900s as well as one film clip of that dance from 1986.

The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the unknown creators of this dance. Thanks also to the film makers,  all those who are featured in these film clips, and the publisher of these film clips on YouTube.  Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post. 

****
INFORMATION ABOUT AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE "BALLIN THE JACK" DANCE
Excerpt #1
from Black Dance, by Lynne Fauley Emery (1973; second, revised edition, Princeton Horizons Book) This excerpt is from the chapter titled "From Minstrelsy to "Darktown Follies". (This excerpt is given as is, including ellipses "...", except for source citations. 
[page] 213 
"It was Darktown Follies, produced in Harlem's Lafayette Theatre in 1913 , which began the nightly procession of whites to Harlem for entertainment. It was also the Darktown Follies which introduced the second Negro dance to sweep the country. The dance was Ballin' the Jack, which appeared in the finale of the first act. Johnson siad this finale was 

[page] 214
...'one of those miraacles of originality which occasionally come to pass in the world of musical comedy...The whole company formed an endless chain that passed before the footlights and behind he scenes, round andround, singing and executing a movement from a dance called "ballin the jack", one of those Negro dances which periodically come along and sweep the country.'  

This serpentine,circular, shuffling dance could certainly have been related to the plantation Ring-Shout; undoubtedly it was of Negro origin. Parrish saw "Ball the Jack" in the Georgia Sea Islands and stated that "Snake Hip" would be a more appropriate name for the dance which kept the "head and shoulders stationary... but there [was] a flow of undulating rhythm from chest to heels, with afew rotations in the hip region... The Dictionary of Folklore described "Ball the Jack" as a dance accompanied by handclapping...the head and feet remaining still and the rest of the body undulating, with a rotation of the hips called 'snake hips".

Van Vechten was impressed with this circular dance of the Darktown Follies and wrote that it was done with spontaneity and joy in the doing. A ballet in ebony and ivory and rose....
They stepped about and clapped their hand and 'gre mad with their bodies'...

Besides Ballin' the Jack, Downtown Follies had a wide variety of dancing. There was some tap dance done by Toots Davis and Eddie Rector, a Cake-Walk finale, and a dance called the Texas Tommy/ Ethel Williams, one of the stars of Darktown, told Marshall Stearns that the Texas Tommy

...'was like the Lindy but there were two basic steps- a kick and hop three times on each foot, and then add whatever you want, turning, pulling, sliding. Your partner had to keep you from falling-I've slid into the orchestra pit more than once.' "   
****

Excerpt #2
From https://www.streetswing.com/histmain/z3balin.htm
"Ballin the Jack

Ballin' the Jack is basically just a sensual, gyration dance with bumps and grinds. Notorious in its day, it was done as a solo dance or along with swing dancing. It's first public appearance was in 1913 at the Lafayette Theater in Harlem, the play was called "The Darktown Follies" produced by Leubrie Hill in the first act called "At The Ball, That's All." Florence Ziegfeld loved it so much he purchased the rights and used it in his Follies of 1913.

In 1913 dancer and composer Chris Smith wrote the song titled "Ballin' The Jack," based on a Negro song that was becoming a dance fad across the nation with white America. Most people think of Ballin' the Jack as a swing variant such as the Big Apple and Truckin'. However in the early 1900's, it was a dance all in its own. When it merged with the Lindy Hop, it lost most of its original form and became just a sidekick to swing dance…

There are stories that 'Ballin' the Jack' was sung by the African-Americans while laying rail for the rail road companies in the 1890's. The "Jack" was a common name for a locomotive (the jackass carrying the load), and Ballin' was the trainmen's hand gestures to 'Highball it' or "High Balling" which means, "faster or to have fun."

a side note: The vintage 'Little Wonder Records' had the title of 'Ballin' The Jack' in 1909. The last patent date listed on the record is 11/30/1909.

Birth Place: USA

Creation Date: (song: 1909/1913) | (dance: c.1899)

Creator: African-Americans

Dance Type:  Swing”….

****
Excerpt #3
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballin%27_the_Jack
" "Ballin' the Jack" (or sometimes "Balling the Jack") is a popular song from 1913 written by Jim Burris with music by Chris Smith. It introduced a popular dance of the same name with "Folks in Georgia's 'bout to go insane." It became a ragtime, pop, and trad jazz standard, and has been recorded hundreds of times.[1]

Origin

The origins of the term are obscure. Around the same time the song came out, the expression "ballin' the jack" was used by railroad workers to mean "going at full speed." 'The 'Jack' was the slang name for a railroad locomotive, and balling meant going at high speed, itself derived from the ball type of railroad signal in which a high ball meant a clear line.[2]

The composer and entertainer Perry Bradford claimed to have seen the dance steps performed around 1909[3][4] and they are similar to the shimmy which has black African origins.[5][6]

The dance moves were standardized in the Savoy Ballroom, and put to music by Smith and Burris in 1913. The tune became popular in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1913.[3]”…

****

**** 
LYRICS: BALLIN THE JACK

Ballin’ the Jack (1913)

(w) Jim Burris (m) Chris Smith (I) Musical: The Passing Show of 1915 (P) Prince’s Orchestra (CR) Judy Garland and Gene Kelly

http://www.exelana.com/lyrics/BallinTheJack.html

Verse 1: Folks in Georgia’s ’bout to go insane
Since that new dance down in Georgia came.
I’m the only person who’s to blame.
I’m the party introduced it there. So!
Give me credit to know a thing or two.
Give me credit for springing something new.
I will show this little dance to you.
When I do, you’ll say that it’s a bear

Chorus: First you put your two knees close up tight.
Then you sway ’em to the left
Then you sway ’em to the right.
Step around the floor kind of nice and light.
Then you twis’ around and twis’ around with all your might.
Stretch your lovin’ arms straight out in space.
Then you do the Eagle Rock with style and grace.
Swing your foot way ’round then bring it back.
Now that’s what I call “Ballin’ the Jack.”

Verse 1: It’s being done at all the Cabarets.
All society now has got the craze.
It’s the best dance done in modern days.
That is why I rave about it so.
Play some good rag that will make you prance.
Old folks, young folks all try to do the dance.
Join right in now while you got the chance.
Once again the steps to you I’ll show.
-snip-
Here's another verse that was posted in the discussion thread for https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChOfnmsROCE&ab_channel=Yatanis "Ballin' The Jack" published by Yatanis, Mar 8, 2011

"M Tl, 2013

"2nd verse

Knees together knees together, Hold 'em tight
Spread out, Man ain't you a sight
Let's go struttin' for some barbeque
Twist it, Turn it,  Careful or you'll burn it
Dig it, Shake it, Careful not to break it
Bake it, Boil it, Yeah that aught to make it
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Yeah
That's what I call
Ballin the Jack
-snip-
This verse may have been added to this song by another writer or writers. Please add information if you know more about this verse. 

**** 
SHOWCASE VIDEO #2: BALLIN' THE JACK

Yatanis, March 8, 2011

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #3: Ballin' the Jack - Haunted Honeymoon - No Montego Edit

zerosomeone, June 10, 2015

A shortened version of the dance scene from Haunted Honeymoon -snip- Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haunted_Honeymoon for information about the 1986 comedy/horror American movie Haunted Honeymoon. **** Thanks for visiting pancocojams. Visitor comments are welcome.

The Texas Tommy, The First Jazz Swing Dance (information & three film clips from the early 1900s)

Richard Powers, Jan 11, 2015

An amateur film shot in San Francisco around 1910, showing the one-step in a dance hall, then the Texas Tommy in the street, then another couple doing the Texas Tommy in an indoor dance hall. The Texas Tommy was the earliest version of swing dancing. The most famous of the African American Texas Tommy dancers - Johnny Peters - traveled to New York (Harlem) in 1911, where the transplanted Texas Tommy became popular, mostly as a vaudeville act, then evolved into an easier social dance version at the Savoy Ballroom (1926), which then became the Lindy hop by 1928. Watch Shorty George Snowden and his Savoy Ballroom dancers dance the 1929 version in "After Seben" and the roots of the Texas Tommy are apparent.

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents information about the "Texas Tommy".

This post also showcases two historical film clips of that dance from the early 1900s.

The "Texas Tommy" is the first Jazz Swing dance.

The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the unknown creators of this dance. Thanks also to the film makers,  all those who are featured in these film clips, and the publisher of these film clips on YouTube.  Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post. 

****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE TEXAS TOMMY
Excerpt #1
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Tommy_(dance)
"The Texas Tommy is a vigorous social dance for couples that originated in San Francisco in the early twentieth century.[1]

History

After the great 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire, the Barbary Coast, the red-light district of the city, was rebuilt and given new life as a tourist attraction, a place of dance halls, theaters, shops, and restaurants. Dance exhibitions and variety shows designed to attract tourists replaced prostitution as the chief business of the area. Many of the dance crazes that swept America during the 1900s and 1910s originated in this section of San Francisco.[2] The Thalia, the largest and most popular dance hall on the Pacific coast,[3] was the birthplace of the Texas Tommy.[4] ("Tommy" was a slang term for prostitute.)

Around 1910, the Texas Tommy was a hit at a lowlife hot spot called Purcell's, a Negro cabaret, but it became respectable when it was danced at the upscale Fairmont Hotel, the most popular venue for ballroom dancing in San Francisco.[5] Who invented the Texas Tommy is obscure. Most likely the signature moves of the dance were being performed by patrons at Purcell's, and some innovative visitor adapted them for the ballroom floor. Some historians say that Johnny Peters, an African American, developed the Texas Tommy some time before 1910. In any event, after sheet music for "The Texas Tommy Swing" was published on 1 February 1911, the Fairmont's house band frequently played the song for its patrons. It was not long before the Texas Tommy was danced on Broadway, in Ziegfeld Follies of 1911, performed by Vera Maxwell, Harry Watson Jr., and the ensemble.[6] It was also included as a number in Darktown Follies, an all-black musical produced Off-Broadway in 1913.[7] Peters and Ethel Williams, who were masters of the dance, executed it on stage, as they had done regularly at the Fairmont.[8]"

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Excerpt #2
[Pancocojams Editor's Note: This is a small portion of an excerpt about the performance of various dances including Ballin' The Jack and the Texas Tommy in 1913 Black American off-Broadway production Darktown Follies. Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/12/ballin-jack-jazz-dance-three-film-clips.html for a longer quote about Ballin the Jack from that book.]

from Black Dance, by Lynne Fauley Emery (1973; second, revised edition, Princeton Horizons Book) This excerpt is from the chapter titled "From Minstrelsy to "Darktown Follies". This excerpt is given as is, including ellipses "...", except for source citations. 
[page] 2014
...."Besides Ballin' the Jack, Downtown Follies had a wide variety of dancing. There was some tap dance done by Toots Davis and Eddie Rector, a Cake-Walk finale, and a dance called the Texas Tommy/ Ethel Williams, one of the stars of Darktown, told Marshall Stearns that the Texas Tommy

...'was like the Lindy but there were two basic steps- a kick and hop three times on each foot, and then add whatever you want, turning, pulling, sliding. Your partner had to keep you from falling-I've slid into the orchestra pit more than once.' "   
-snip-
Here's some information about "Darktown Follies" Off-Broadway musical that is mentioned in that Wikipedia article:
From  https://www.rem.routledge.com/articles/darktown-follies-lafayette-theatre-harlem-1913 "Darktown Follies (Lafayette Theatre, Harlem, 1913)", by Melissa Templeton, 09/05/2016
"One of the earliest large-scale musical revues to be created and performed by an all-Black cast, Darktown Follies premiered in 1913 at the Lafayette Theatre in Harlem. Darktown Follies exhibited qualities common to minstrel shows of the period with its episodic musical numbers and large group finale. The plot, however, focussed on a romantic storyline between two Black characters, which was rarely seen in minstrel performances. Darktown Follies introduced dances, like Ballin’ the Jack (which would eventually become a popular dance on Broadway) and the Texas Tommy (a predecessor of the lindy hop) to the New York stage. Darktown Follies helped launch a trend of White artists traveling to Harlem in search of new material for their own productions. The show foreshadowed the development Black musicals like Shuffle Along (1921) and was an important precursor to the artistic renaissance that would define Black modernism in Harlem of the 1920s and 1930s."

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SHOWCASE FILM CLIP #2: Texas Tommy Swing Dance - 1914

 Objet D'Art, Sept. 19, 2017

Interior of a black dance hall with band and dancers (probably in San Francisco.) - Variations of the Texas Tommy Swing Dance and Ballin' the Jack

Prelinger Archives: [Gould Can 5423.4]
-snip-
Here's one comment from that YouTube video's discussion thread:
ragtimist, 2019
"That's Sid LeProtti's So Different Orchestra playing in the background. Though this looks like it was shot outdoors, it might have been shot at Purcell's Dancehall on Pacific St. in the Barbary Coast section of S.F." **** SHOWCASE FILM CLIP #3 - Texas Tommy Swing Dance 1915 

mark kihara,  Apr 2, 2021

"The Texas Tommy Swing dance was only done to specific songs, the most famous song was King Chanticleer." - Peter Loggins, Dance Historian

Using the AI restored footage from GlamourDaze, I have added more period appropriate music.  This 1912 recording of "King Chanticleer" is by Prince's Band.

****
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Wode Maya YouTube Discussion Thread Comments About The $150 Cost Of A Covid Test At The Ghanaian Airport & The Cost Of That Test In Some Other Nations Worldwide

Wode Maya,  Nov. 26, 2021

986K subscribers

The Image of AFRICA has been DISTORTED around the WORLD & We are CHANGING the NARRATIVES via YOUTUBE videos One Country At Time.Until the HISTORY of AFRICA is told by AFRICANS, the story of GREATNESS will always GLORIFY the IMPERIALISTS!. We are in Ghana & In this Episode....... -snip- The portion of this video that is about the cost of Covid 19 test at the Ghanaian airport begins at 15:35. -snip-

Here are Statistics for this video as of Nov. 30, 2021 at 11:19 AM EDT total views - 223,503 total likes -6.8K

total dislikes - 0 total # of comments - 1,458

**** Edited by Azizi Powell This pancocojams post showcases a video from Ghanaian YouTube vlogger Wode Maya's channel. Information about Wode Maya is included in this post along with selected comments from his Nov. 26, 2021 vlog. These comments are about the high cost of paying for Covid tests at the Ghanaian airport and the cost of that test in other nations worldwide

The content of this post is presented for historical and socio-cultural purposes. Thanks for Wode Maya for his YouTube channel and thanks to all thosr who are quoted in this post.

**** INFORMATION ABOUT WODE MAYA

Excerpt #2

From https://abtc.ng/wode-maya-biography-net-worth-girlfriend-house-and-youtube/ by Joseph Dumolga - Updated on Octobe 8, 2021 [Uploaded by The Somaliland Tourists - Samiya Hashi]
"Wode Maya is a popular Ghanaian YouTube personality, vlogger, and aeronautical engineer.

Wode Maya was born Berthold Winkler on 8th November 1990 in Ahekofi, Ghana....

Wode Maya had his basic and secondary education in Ghana before gaining a scholarship to Shenyang Aerospace University to study Aeronautical Engineering. He left Ghana in 2012. He was initially destined to study in the United Kingdom but was denied a visa so he ended up in China.

Wode Maya disclosed that racial discrimination forced him into vlogging when he was denied jobs due to his color. He joined YouTube on January 10, 2013, and began posting his experiences in the country.

Wode Maya Net Worth

Wode Maya is estimated to have a net worth of $500,000. Youtube is his major income source. He is one of the richest YouTubers in Ghana.

Wode Maya Girlfriend

Wode Maya is currently in a relationship with Miss Trudy who is also a  YouTuber from Kenya."...-

****

Excerpt #2 From https://face2faceafrica.com/article/meet-wode-maya-the-top-ghanaian-youtuber-who-quit-his-aeronautical-engineering-job-to-tell-the-african-story "Meet Wode Maya, the top Ghanaian YouTuber who quit his aeronautical engineering job to tell the African story" by Mildred Europa Taylor, Oct. 27, 2020 [Wode Maya's] "first videos about his experiences in China were packed with humor and entertaining jokes, and his father, who was then against his vlogging idea, urged him to go one step further. With Wode Maya being a fluent Mandarin Chinese speaker, his father thought it would be ideal if he could educate Chinese people he meets regularly about Africa.

[...]

Having left China with a loan from friends to pursue his passions, Wode Maya first traveled to about five African countries sharing his travel experiences and each country’s culture. And today, his YouTube channel Wode Maya, which started off as a bridge between Africa and Asia, has grown to be the welcome train to the African diaspora, he says on his website.

Wode Maya’s videos usually start with AIYA MAYA, AIYA WODE MAYA, which means “oh my god” in the northeastern Chinese dialect."... -snip-
Wode Maya doesn't have an English Wikipedia page [as of Nov. 30, 2021. One of the multiple pages that I read about Wode Maya indicates that his name is Berthold Kobby Winkler. 
-snip-
"Kobby" is a shortened form of the Ghanaian day name "Kwabena" ("Kobina") meaning "male born on Tuesday".

Another web page that I read indicated that Wode Maya is the most popular African YouTuber.

****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE DISCUSSION THREAD OF THIS EMBEDDED VIDEO
These are only a sample of the comments in that discussion thread that refer to Covid.

All of these comments are from November 26-November 29, 2021.

These comments are given in relative chronological order beginning with those posted on Nov. 26, 2021, except for responses.

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnpNLei7kAA&ab_channel=WODEMAYA

November 26, 2021

1. AKOSUA AGYEMAN
"Thank you for the taking time to address the covid fee is ridiculous. Lets all support fix the the country movement aya maya."

**
Reply
2. WODE MAYA
"It's sad bro"

**
Reply
3. kwame scratch
"Maya educate people well because when you speak it goes far, it’s $50 for Ecowas citizens and $150 for none Ecowas citizens"

**
Reply
4. Obiri Agyirifo
"@kwame scratch  yes but it's still bad. Why must people who are fully vaccinated be made to pay such an amount just because they're not ECOWAS citizens."

**
Reply
5. kwame scratch
"@Obiri Agyirifo  that’s the rules in Ghana now you either follow it or you stay where you’re, I’m not sure a Ghanaian can go to the uk or America and question them on their covid rules, when we get there regardless of us liking it or not we comply"
-snip-
Here's what "ECOWAS" means:
from https://www.ecowas.int/member-states/
"The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is made up of fifteen member countries that are located in the Western African region."...

**
6. amin am-in
"Very very unreasonable charge at the airport. Especially at a time when they want  us all to get vaccinated"

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7. His Canopy!
"Thanks Wode the Pan-African King. There is need for African nation to have a standardised amount for Covid test if its $50 let it be universal for everyone.  We have to love ourselves first"

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8. Ronald haynes
"It help to keep COVID at a low infection rate in Ghana. It also help to keep Ghana open to the western world for COVID exemption . At the present time Americans cannot fly to South Africa or 7 other African states"

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9. Taytay Shaniqua.
"It’s sad it is going on to this day. I’m came to Ghana about 5 months ago and paid about that money. I don’t know when it started and when it will end, I’d it ever will. Imagine how much money they have made😱"

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10. henrietta Awadzi
"Yoo Maya ,thank u for addressing this covid issue @ the airport ,its ridiculous, we have been complaining and it's like no one is listening ,we hope they really  do something abt it"

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11. Robert Bediako
"Maya thank you so much for drawing the president attention that the $150 Covid test is too much a lot of  people and their family want to come to Ghana from the U.S and other countries but are very mad about this $150 we keep  complaining but you don't want to listen  mr.president reduce the $150 we all helped you to win your presidency so don't take us for granted 2024 is coming"

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12. Robert Bediako
"We know what to tell our people back home during 2024"

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13. Obiri Agyirifo
"Until this $150.00 COVID fee is scrubbed, some of us will not visit GH. It's ridiculous"

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14. Nanette Bamfo
"I support reduction of the Covid-19 fees for all travellers including those in diaspora"

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15. Nancy Samuelson, Nov. 27, 2021
"But you know our African people love US DOLLARS, I do not believe they will reduce it, but I hope they reduce it for Africans, and keep it at $150 for non-Africans just like Wode said."

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16. The Alkebulan Trust
"If these people genuinely cared about the health of people. These tests would be free. The Healthcare industry is a Billion dollar industry but not here to start or talk any conspiracies. Wode Maya and Miss Trudy are our favourite African Couple it's always great to see new content from them."

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17. N Sudatta-Roy
"The shots aren't free, in any country.  Because you aren't paying for it in America, doesn't mean it's free.  Look act the agreements that exist between these shot makers and the countries where they promote the shots."

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18. Jecie Waithaka
"In Qatar we are talking it free l don't know what's up with Africa countries"

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19. Off-Grid Plantbased Sapiosexual
"Wode Maya, UK is worst with the compulsory day 2 and day 8 covid tests for £210 (which you must pay in advance before entering UK). This doesn't include the covid test you must do before boarding your flight!"

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20. SylviasWorld
"The price for the UK varies. I didn't pay £210."

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21. Dorothy's TLT
"This pinched me in April when I came back. But I was grateful to skip the 1,750 Hotel 3 days prior my return. This is becoming rediculous for real."

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22. Leonora Besong
"I had to pay $50 in DRC, whereas in Cameroon it is free. But then $150 l guess is on the high side. Good to see young African intellectuals coming together to discuss about Africa by Africans"

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23. hannahito2001
"its too much really i was in Ghana in October my first time but i had to pay 150 dollars before i leave Qatar and when i left Ghana i had to pay 100 dollars shocking really i was really surprised its a lot money. Thax Maya"

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24. people of the sun
"My flight to the motherland was just cancelled today due to covid,can't handle this stress anymore, y'all enjoy home. Africa is life, the rest of the world is getting darker by the day"

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25. Mamba Mentality, Nov. 27, 2021
"You cancelled your trip?"

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26. people of the sun, Nov. 27, 2021
"@Mamba Mentality  no, the government agencies did,"

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27. Joe Achie
"Wode Maya with due respect please do you pay TAX in Ghana 🇬🇭? About 70% of Ghanaians don't pay taxes and where do you want the government to get money. We keep quiet when paying taxes in the west and complain in Africa. The tourists  you see on the streets of Ghana do not pay any taxes to the government. The buy most of their goods on the street with no sales tax. Many people eat in restaurants with no sales tax. I'm a Ghanaian with us 🇺🇸 passport and always happy to pay the $150 covid test for the development of my beloved Ghana 🇬🇭."

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28. WODE MAYA
"Paying $150 for covid test got nothing to do with tax & for your information my company pays tax...The Covid test company at the airport is not even a Ghanaian owned not to talk of Government owned!It's just extortion!"

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29. Tony Adj
"WE WANT OUR PEOPLE TO COME BACK HOME ....SET UP BUSINESSES  TO DEVELOP AFRICA AND OF COURSE PAY TAXES....STOP  ASKING POOR INDIVIDUALS TO PAY TAXES.  LET THE BIG BUSINESSES PAY UP.....HUNT FOR THEM...."

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30. Joe Achie
"@Tony Adj  Who are the big companies? Communist ideas"

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31. Joe Achie
"@WODE MAYA  any money collected on behalf of Ghana is tax. I would like you to educate Ghanaians about paying taxes and its the reason why the western world is developed without any natural resources."

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32. Vivian
"So Covid vac is now a business????!"

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33. Dan Aki, Nov. 27, 2021
"Joe, stop bragging about your US citizen status,  I also live in the US also.  The US  taxes is designed to favour the privilege white oligarchies and this has been protected by white affluence. A state where the penury bears the crunch of high taxes and the billionairs pays little or none taxes is not to be proud of.  A country were there are lots of money and citizens are still homeless and evictions from apartment buildings for not able met $1500 rent for one bedroom owned by super rich who pay little or no taxes is not what we should be thumbing up for. America taxes can be accounted for unlike in Africa where these large part of money goes to pockets of some well  connected cabals via corruption. Let us  call a spade a spade, the $150 covid 19 test is too expensive."

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34. JC, Nov. 27, 2021
"THIS IS THE MOST STUPID AND FOOLISH COMMENT SO FAR.YOU SAID BECAUSE MOST GHANAIANS DON'T PAY TAXES,IT IS OKAY TO CHARGE PEOPLE $150 FOR A COVID TEST!!!!!!!.ARE YOU SERIOUS????"

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35. Charity MSK
"I was in Ghana in October,I also paid 150 dollars ,it’s too much,the hassle also at the airport is too much,it’s almost traumatised me even though I am fellow African"

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36. Eddie Mors Vlogs
"I am planning to come to West Africa ( Ghana, Benin and Nigeria) but when I check the cost of Covid tests I am scared of  doing this trip."

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37. fadekemi martins, Nov. 27, 2021
"Wait even if you are fully vaccinated ?"

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38. Eddie Mors Vlogs, Nov. 27, 2021
"@fadekemi martins  yeah you still need to take the test"

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39. tspcocktail, Nov. 28, 2021
"Money grabbing"

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40. Samuel Samuel
"Mr. Maya, please use your influence wisely...first find out the basis for covid test price as you showed interest in your plea. Second, pleading for a reduction while undermining the aggressive works of progression by the many accomplished projects and counting...  innovate initiatives and the prudent management of the economy of this government in the face of a pandemic after retrieving the country from IMF...please growth of any nation in world came incrementally with the people of the nation transforming with it. Its ignorant of you to assert that there is no evidence of development happing because you choose not to see it. Take road construction as an example among many. Please I like you and what you do much, however please avoid speaking so loosely and let issues you choose to address with substance.

#Withlove # iamMaya!"

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41. WODE MAYA
"The COVID test company is NOT for the government"

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42. Michael Kofi Maani
"Very expensive my brother, and only God knows what they use the money for!"

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43. Mamapat Dontoh
"Yes reduce the price Mr President to $50 to those coming to Ghana. Thanks Maya. We love you. 🥰🥰🥰🥰"

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44. Patience Kumi
"They seriously need to make some changes in that covid charge $150 or whatever its ridiculously expensive 🙃 😅 and the fact that we don't even use dollars in Ghana. The government has been collecting lot of money but we not seeing anything improved. They keep borrowing money from country like China 😪😒 SMH. If we really wanna make a change it all starts from the top, our leadership. They just have to do better 🤦"

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45. W
"It’s not the government it’s an Nigerian company that is charging people the government doesn’t get all the revenue from it"

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46. Amito Mitra
"in Uganda, it's 30 dollars"

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47. Yunifer Kengere
"You should not pay at all. I complained the $50 paid in kenya!"

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48. RayMAN No
"yes $150 in and 350Ghc out..I have paid that several times I was in Ghana.

They need to reduce it as Togo has done it to 25,000 cfa..which is way less than $150."

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49. Jennifer Kwasi - Kumah
"Hhmmm I came back to the USA and had to do the test just to go back. I also did it when I arrived in Ghana."

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50. Willie Fungo
"Ghana makes such a big show of inviting African Americans to "repatriate" there. But they don't give Americans visa-free access or even visa on arrival. Then they charge this ridiculous $150 fee for a COVID test after requiring a test before even entering the country. If Ghana's "tourism" industry isn't a scam. I don't know what it."

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51. Isaac Obeng
" @Willie Fungo  The problem is "AFRICAN AMERICANS" is not a country, if there was a way to grant visa free to only AFRICAN AMERICANS LEGALLY THEN WE WOULD DO THAT. Otherwise we are just pleasing the white mans America. We want our brothers and sisters in America to move back to the continent permanently so in a way this encourages those who visit to not go through the process again."

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52. My BlackYaad
"It be true oo. I'm coming with my family very soon and I'm dreading the $600 I will pay for covid test for myself and my children. That money could be used for food or helping someone in need."

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53. dan. S
"It's high prices.

But under 5s go free, in Ghana.

Hope that helps"

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54. Harriet Aidoo
"Hmmm!! I'm coming to Gh in a couple of days nd I'm so pissed off abt that $150 teat that has to be done after u'v presented a negative test result u'v done  within just 72hrs....just doesn't make sense to me!"

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55. Enoch Throckmorton 2nd
"I hope that you have plenty of hand sanitizers. Too many people like to shake your hands."
-snip-
This comment is directed to Wode Maya and refers to the large number of people at the Ghanaian airport who greeted him shaking his hand or hugging him.

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56. New Night Star Hair
"The test is free in Cameroon! I am so surprise that we have to pay the test in other parts of the world🙄"

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57. WODE MAYA
"really?"

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58. New Night Star Hair
"Yes really my mom and sister always come to visit me and they don’t pay the test!"

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59. Bismark Barnie, Nov. 27, 2021
"Is it the same antigent test? Where you can get your results in less than an hour?"

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60. New Night Star Hair, Nov. 27, 2021
"@Bismark Barnie  no! The result are within 24 hrs"

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61. Jo
"I really want to visit Ghana but I refuse to pay $150 per person, then $$$ for a visa, $$$ for a yellow fever vaccination and what if I test positive at the airport?! When I reach Ghana, I'd like to spend on tours, a nice hotel and good food so maybe when the pandemic is over. Tanzania is a better choice atm"

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62. Cecelia Hudson
"I feel you yellow fever 285.00. Each 🤨"

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63. Jo
"@Cecelia Hudson  wow that's a lot. It's around $120 where I am."

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64. fadekemi martins, Nov. 27, 2021
"Do you mean even if I have a yellow fever card? And a EU COVID Vaccination card, I would still need to pay all of this?"

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65. Jo
"@fadekemi martins  You will still need the covid test $150 and visa but the Yellow vaccine is for life, so won't need to pay for that again."

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66. Frederick Appiah
"I WAS SUPPOSED TO COME TO GHANA THIS YEAR WITH MY FAMILY.  BUT DUE TO THIS  $150 COVID TEST FEE , I COULD"NT . HOW COULD I SPEND ALMOST A €1000 ON COVID TEST.  ITS A SHAME ON US.  WATCHING FROM FRANCE"

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67. dan. S, Nov. 27, 2021
"Fred, 3y3 $50 to ECOWAS passport holders and free for under 5 year olds. Hope that helps a bit."

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68. Frederick Appiah, Nov. 27, 2021
"I hold   a french passport

I live in France"

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69. Ms gold n diamonds are from Africa
"Heartwarmingg 👍🏿👍🏿 i wonder what will happen now with the new varient. I pray for beloved mamma Africa 🙏🏾"

****

Nov. 27, 2021

70. Larson Mutembu
"This is the first beautiful video of the city & airport that I have so far seen although I have seen some sections of the city before. I agree with you Wode Maya, the $150 Covid test for foreigners is just too much. They should make it $50 for everyone. Even $50 is a lot of money for many Africans who will still be able to pay for their transportation, food & accommodation in your country. Why do we Africans like to rip  off other Africans?"

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71. Kevin Oteng
"I am vascinated both here and Abroad, I took the test 24 hrs before I got on the plane. However, when I got to Ghana, I had to take  another test.  Interestingly the likelihood of me contracting COViD was at the port in Ghana when I was in line waiting to get tested for covid."

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72. George Mireku
"I like your passionate appeal to the president about the $150 covid test. Thank you for all you do."

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73. Liigola Ligola
"Is true I am African in Finland 🇫🇮 says the rules of Covid-19 can change all the time!"

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74. jowasntv
"150$ is too much! At the moment we are paying 30$ when you land in Entebbe 🙏🏿❤"

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75. Danny Baronne
"Most airports in the world even in Us/Europe and Asia covid test for international travel cost more than $150. In fact some goes as high as $450. Better to do your test outside of airports as they are slightly cheaper."

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76. Divambi, Nov. 28, 2021
"The one in Ghana is mandatory to all passengers that arrive at the airport."

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77. Danny Baronne, Nov. 29, 2021
"@Divambi  So you cannot do one in your country within 72 hours and bring it. Wow. That how it is in most countries. You don't have to do it at the Airport."

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78. D Wilks
"Here in Europe covid testing is free! Developing countries always put financial pressure on their people, and this is one of the ways.

Love your content Wode Maya♥"

*️*
Reply
79. Winnye Shbry
"thats  wrong here in germany we pay , it depends"

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80. fadekemi martins
"Here in turkey you pay, but it's cheap out if the airport, and not so bad at the airport. Also if foreigners are to come all they need is get an HES form filled."

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81. Jean the globetrotter, Nov. 28, 2021
"Not sure which part in Europe where, if required for the airport is free. The UK has made ridiculous amount of money from it. Now it is back on"

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82. Amnesty TV
"The price of PCR tests reduced in so many countries so why are they still not reducing it? Is too much"

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83. Liigola Ligola
"In Finland 220$ Italy 70$"

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84. ALEX KUMI
"Concern Ghanaians, a lot of people have complained about the fee for the covid test, what will it take for this to be reduced?  In other African countries like Cameron is free, we are not saying it should be free but the 150 dollars charge is too exorbitant, imagine you have six kids and each has to pay this amount with yellow fever and a visa fees it would add up quickly for a huge amount.  What breaks my heart is the young Africans coming to Ghana for a conference, I don't know how much each paid for the covid test, it is 150 dollars in my view it defeats the purpose of African free trade zone, we might as well fold it up and go to the drawing board something is not adding up. Why are we killing our young people with such fees? Since unemployment anywhere in Africa is too high for the youth and making their life too difficult to sustain. We have to be considerate of how we treat each other as Africans .

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85. Bosibori Boyani
"We shouldnt even be paying in dollars.

We need one African currency to pay in

Why are we foreigners in Africa?"

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86. Fuseini Haruna
"Am Ghanaian by birth but living in Germany on 31 last month i went home with my wife with our kids my wife is Ugandan she pays 150 dollars for just corona test, in fact that is to bad, non ecowas countries include Asia Europe Americans pay same amount like my wife, Ghana government have to do something about that"

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87. I NG
"It costs around 60 usd in Uganda  and 40 something in congo . 150 is extreme . In europe it is 40 usd to 100 depending where"

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88. Nana Ama
"Don't shake hands oo Corona is still real😃😃✅🥂"
-snip-
This comment was probably directed to Wode Maya (since that video shows him readily shaking hands and hugging numerous people who approached him afer recognizing him at the Ghanaian airport where he went to pick up Miss Trudy, his girlfriend from Kenya.

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89. Wenzombo Rose
"Tests must be free everywhere 🥵this annoys me"

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90. Teachers TV Africa
"$150 is way too much that is full year school fees for a primary pupil in a good school in Uganda."

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91. WODE MAYA
"Haha really???"

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92. Teachers TV Africa
"@WODE MAYA  Yes my brother, likr at our school pupils pay 190,000 Ugandan shillingd that is $52 per term and in a year we have three term making $156. That fee caters for both breakfast and lunch. Yet their money parents that can not afford, so that vacation fee is exorbitant. Keep up the good work. You inspire me alot."

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93. Bismark Barnie
"You are not "seeing the development " are you pleading or issuing autimaltum? We must know our level. It's not a normal PCR test at the various airports. It's antigen which could detect other virus as well."

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94. Mamba Mentality
"Still not worth $150👈🏽  🤷🏽‍♂️😂"

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95. Bismark Barnie
"@Mamba Mentality  is it by force to travel to Ghana? If you think you can't afford it,stay at where you're."

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96. Emmanuel Nkrumah kordie
"Ghana is a free country o

Or should I say they are not enforcing the law?

Come to Dubai airport without a face mask and u will see"
-snip-
This comment refers to Wode Maya not wearing a face mask in the Ghanaian airport.

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97. YouTube Streetz
"The airport COVID test is still $150 for the same reason why the so called "Year of Return" is a tourist board gimmick to get money from the diaspora. There is a reason why the slave ports were mostly in what is now called Ghana"

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98. Dan Fu
"In Europe here either one go for the vaccines which is free

or  one pay for the test anytime traveling outside the country one reside nothing free....and in Ghana airport if you are a Ghanaian holding Ghana passport is 50 dollars. But if you are holding other passport then you can enjoy double then 150 dollars we only pray the end of Corona"

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99. Hillary Ganyo 
"My son pls wear your nose mask always. Africa needs you alive.  Stay safe 🙏 ❤ 💓 💙"

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100. Bell the cat to break the snow Who what Elscott
"I agree $150 is pricey. My daughter is coming in December also. Can someone email his Excellent his press secretary or his staff secretary somebody. As a African/ American we need 50% discount as message from the continent to show compassion for unfair ancestral heritage displacement of the 1600’s. Help us to do more traveling in future."

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101. SylviasWorld. Nov. 28, 2021
"Why just African Americans though? Caribbeans and south Americans have same history of the slave trade as you"

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Nov. 28, 2021

102. WammyOnDe
"$150 is too much. $50 or less in Kenya + guaranteed results, unless you go to an expensive private hospital. That Ghana gov is milking people. No good."

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103. tugar
"It’s a shame that you talk about not seeing any development. Very disappointing to hear such a statement from you. Come back and render an apology for saying that."

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104. WODE MAYA
"Lol apologize to who???Mtchheeeeeeeew!"

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105. LaTasha Stewart-Estelle
"@Wodemaya it cost me and my Son $300 total for testing just to come in plus our Visa costs which were another $200 plus dollars. Not to mention the cost on the way back out for testing, which thankfully is cheaper. I wish we could also waive the Visa fees too eh."

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106. Rod Woodford
"It doesn't matter where you are health care means nice profits for someone. I'm from (South) Australia and the PCR test for people who travel out of Aust. is AUSD150. All I can see is revenue raising. Keep up the great work Wode Maya with the all the other fantastic young people in Africa."

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Nov. 29, 2021

107. Tricia Villas
"Why are they still collecting that money when we’ve vaccinated…what’s the reason for vaccinating. Please someone should educate me on that🙏🏿"

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108.rofako Catfish
"Am sorry to invade your personal space.  Mr Ghana baby could you kindly explain why you have refused to wear a mask. You are totally out of order. Why do Africans fill they are above any established protocol. Please your popularity is no excuse. ,,,,,,,Covid-19 is a leveller."

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109. Judith Ossom
"Wode please use your face mask. It is very important."

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110. Sonia Matthews
"Maya put on ur mask. We cant afford fr u to get sick! Always walk with extra mask in the car.pls. "

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111. Bassey Acoustic Works
"Village boy leadership by example, Obey protocols please. Where is your mask"

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112. kojo07ewura
"Why in this word should they charge in dollars and not cedis? Absolute MADNESS yet we expect our cedi to do well against foreign currency when we don't want to even trade with it? You can go and bring the best economist in the world but if we are not encouraged to trade in our local currency and try and promote local goods FORGET!!! TWEA KAE AFRICA"

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113. Mirella Augustine-Howard
"Well said Wode Maya. I travel to Ghana at least four times a year and it is very depressing when I think about having to pay all that money for the test. We pay before we come pay when we arrive and pay again when we leave. It feels so much like extortion."

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114. tspcocktail
"It is extortion and they dont give a damn. Trying to be like westerners for real....... all the way down to the corruption."

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115. Rajendra Rochani
"In india 10usd for COVID testing"

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116. Trudy Hazel
"The cost of that test put me off visiting Ghana. I was actually supposed to travel there with my Ghanaian partner today. I am triple vaxxed so paying $150 for a Covid test on arrival after paying for a test two days ago is ridiculous. Plus I still have to buy all this malaria prophylaxis. I love Ghana but not this much."

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117. Pip A
"Where is this money going folks??? I paid $150.00 US. They ask we come home and contribute to the development of Ghana. $150.00...... so please tell me where this money goes. Definitely not improving the hospitalsz"

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118. Angela Pinnock
"I've never been to any African country but I definitely want to visit and eventually live in Ghana. 🙂PLEASE REDUCE THE COVID TEST TO $50 FOR THOSE, LIKE ME, WHO WANT TO COME TO VISIT OR LIVE HERE🙏British born, Jamaican parents & husband, wanting to be in Ghana🇬🇧🇯🇲 🇬🇭 💝"

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119. Gregory Amos
"I paid $25 in Ethiopia for PCR test

 I paid $60 in Rwanda for PCR test

I paid 2000 Shillings in Kenya for PCR test.

As a Ghanaian, I paid $50 on arrival in Ghana and I was given an antigen test result.

Charging foreigners $150 for antigen test is outrageous."

****
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