Akwaaba

Hearing booth at KorleBu assembled by Kim Leishman shortly after Rex Scott began program

John is working hard this week at the teaching hospital interviewing students and planning out the semester schedule with Dr. Sampong. I spent yesterday home waiting for the drinkable water system to be installed and today waiting for the air conditioning technician to come and fix our apt. air conditioner. Whoo hoo! They just got here. Ghanaians do not make appointments. They just say “I'll be there tomorrow morning”, and then they might show up before 5. If not, they just come the next day!

Dr Geoffrey Amedofu testing cute little girl

Ghana is a country that has a rich ethnic diversity, abundant historical legacies with a strong cultural heritage and traditions. The popular word for welcome is “Akwaaba” with the accent on the first A. It is expressed sincerely to all visitors throughout the country. We have probably heard it 500 times since arriving a week ago. The unique friendly smiles and warmth of the people has won Ghana the reputation of the world's most hospitable country. We have found their kindness and graciousness to be unsurpassed. When my two plumbers were here yesterday working in the kitchen installing the water system, I noticed the door was closed. There is no cooling in the kitchen which was facing the sun that morning and the temperature quickly rose in there. An hour later, they emerged, having closed the door so as not to disturb me with the sound of the drill or banging. My kitchen was spotless and they constantly apologized for any disruption they might have been to my schedule. I gave them each a chilled bottle of water and sent them on their way with my thanks. The day before was the same when we arrived at the clinic. We had not been in John's office for even a half hour when 2 different people arrived with bottles of water and soda to fill his refrigerator.

The climate of Ghana, like the rest of West Africa is controlled by two continental air masses; the southwest monsoon that brings the rains, and the north-easterlies, that blow from the Sahara Desert, known locally as the “harmattan”. This causes hot days and right now the air is filled with the desert dust. The rainy season will begin in March. Right now, John is struggling with so much particulate matter in the air. I love changes in the weather, but here every day is pretty much like the one before...hot and humid.

English is Ghana's official language, but it's very difficult to understand. There are over 60 different ethnic groups, each with a distinct language and tradition. Often the tribal language mixes with the English. Talking over the phone is especially hard. About 70% of the people are Christian and the rest Muslim or those that believe in old tribal cultures. Usually the Christian and Muslim populations get along, but when they disagree it is very vocal!

We live along what used to be known as the Gold Coast and mining is still done here. One of the main exports now is cocoa. We even passed a Cadbury factory which I intend to investigate further!

Ghana has a parliamentary democratic government. The first in Africa to gain it's independence. The inauguration of the new President Mahama was on Monday. It was peaceful and the only change to the city was the increase in traffic! The opposition party is still not happy.

The flag is:

Red – for the blood spilled in the struggle for independence.

Yellow – for Ghana's gold and mineral wealth

Green – for the lush vegetation

A Star in the center – signifies the hope of all Black Africans

It is black – for independence and self governance

The money used is called a cedi...1=50 cents

  Most all kinds of food can be found in the stores, but it is very expensive. I really don't know how the general population keep their families fed! It is a cash economy with no one accepting credit cards or checks. There is a little store not far from us and we discovered gold across the street from it. A french bakery!! It is run by a little Lebanese lady. The pastries are flown in from France frozen and baked at the bakery. They also bake great pizzas there. I guess it is because we live near many of the embassies. We may survive here after all!! We miss ice cream the most. It is $5 for a box with 4 small servings. Oh well, it's better for our diet!!