Acknowledgments

My most sincere thanks to:

Charlotte Sheedy, Miranda Barry, Ally Sheedy, and the rest of my stellar writing family at Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency for another milestone in our journey together.

Susan Rich, editor and devoted midwife to this story. It was a privilege to work with you again, and I am grateful for your skill, respect, patience, and vision.

Bright Tetteh Ackwerh for bringing another of my literary characters to life in the stunning cover image and, together with the LBYR Design team, for making this book beautiful.

International Needs Ghana, with the support of Geneva Global, and Challenging Heights Ghana for the inspiration of their work and research on trafficked children in fishing labor on the Volta Lake.

Professor Dzodzi Tsikata and Dr. Donna Sheppard for educating me, respectively, about the human story behind the creation of the Volta Lake, and the manatees inside it.

Yvette Yaa Konadu Tetteh and JayJay Addo-Koranteng for generously sharing their knowledge and unique insights as swimmers, navigators, and environmental champions of the Volta River and the Volta Lake.

Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, Angela Vanderpuije, and Anakwa Dwamena for donating their time and invaluable feedback as readers; and Prof. Audrey, again, and Charles Agbemashior for their help with the Ɛwɛ language.

Erin Haney, Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah, MarLa Sink Druzgal, Janet Leno, and Katie Kraemer for their love and support in keeping me going on this writing journey.

Tina Heinel-Kassardjian, Rebecca Awuah, and Angela, once more, for discussions on the story and its journey on our morning walks. Thanks for the pawpaw tree, Tina!

My beloved parents for always championing my creativity.

My late sister, Rosina, for her sisterhood, and for her unflagging devotion in caring for our mother. May flights of angels sing her to her rest.