Ghana Blog

As my last blog post in Ghana, I first want to recognize the people that made my experience truly memorable. As a group, through all of our shared struggles, highs, lows, and all of the memories we’ve made, you all truly became a part of my family. As such, even though this is goodbye for now, I can’t wait to see you soon and look forward to seeing you all grow because I know you all have incredibly bright futures.

Between our blog posts, assignments, work and journaling, describing my experience in words has made me realize how intrigued I am about this country. During one of the book discussions, a topic that was brought up was about which color would represent Ghana. I know the flag of Ghana is black, red, yellow, green. So focusing on these options, the more I thought about it, I realized the color green represents Ghana the best because of the beautiful green forests. The beautiful nature outside our main house was outstanding! Watching the sunsets every afternoon, after coming from the hospital, made realize how connected I was with nature and the importance of the small things that really could contribute to my happiness. For instance, it is surprising to know that having vegetables with every meal is not normal. Since we got here, even when we go to restaurants I have seen that there are no vegetables with the meals, so I count my blessings when I find some nice greens thrown in. It was so rare in fact, I actively sought out fresh fruit and vegetables. In my quest for chlorophyll, I made an important discovery. For future reference, if you buy salad in Ghana, you must be careful and ensure it is washed properly. 
-Valentina Paez

 As we get to the final stretch of our program, I will reflect upon one of the most memorable experiences I have had so far! During my time shadowing at Ridge hospital I got to witness a whopping 4 births! 3 natural deliveries and 1 C-Section. At Ridge, many of the deliveries that occur daily are natural vaginal births. Epidurals  are usually reserved for C-Sections. Upon entering the ward you can expect to hear at least one mother screaming off the top of her lungs from contractions. For the first birth I witnessed, my partner and I were able to help coach a first time mother who was exhausted after pushing for 2 hours. She eventually gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Devine! The most intriguing birth to me was the mother who gave birth to twins naturally! I was in such awe of the strength that she endured to push her beautiful twins out! She was in labor for over 24 hours and only pushed for about 20 minutes. Baby number 1 was a beautiful baby boy and baby number 2 was a beautiful baby girl!

 This experience has shown me the good, bad, and ugly sides of childbirth. Since I was about 10, I had always wanted to be an Ob/Gyn. Being able to finally witness the circle of life as a pre med student makes me filled with so much gratitude for this program. Experiences like this make me so glad that I chose to participate in the Ghana service learning for my Summer 2023 semester!

-Tiolulope Popoola 

This week, we are still at Ridge Hospital observing doctors in various specialties. A few days ago, I got to shadow in the surgical theatre again. While I have observed surgeries before, the surgery I saw this week prompted a lot of reflection about medicine and my future career path.

The surgery that I got to see this week was a laparotomy, which is where a surgeon will enter the patient’s abdominal cavity, either as an exploratory procedure or to treat a condition. In this particular case, the patient had a large football-sized tumor in the cecum, which is the part of the GI tract where the small and large intestine meet. The tumor was so large that if it had remained in the patient any longer, she would have died. This was the first true life-saving procedure I had witnessed and during the surgery, I felt filled with a sense of awe and respect for medicine and doctors. For all my life, I have placed doctors on a pedestal and viewed them as sort of “miracle workers” that always have an answer. But during this surgery, I was reminded that doctors are simply people, and it is so beautiful to me that a team of people can work together and combine their knowledge and abilities to save lives. That feeling I got during that surgery was another reinforcement that I am on the right path, even when I have doubts, and it is feelings like these that I know will get me through the long road of becoming a healthcare professional.

-Victoria L

As our program comes to a close, my time at RIDGE Hospital has greatly impacted my growth and knowledge of different aspects of the services provided by the hospital. In my last blog, I briefly discussed my experience in the Social Welfare office. I have learned more about the process and cases in the past week. I shadowed the Social Worker and her interns on rounds to the Wards. They would translate the counseling from Twi to English, so I knew the exact questions and responses during a session. This opened my eyes to the financial and family struggles that many face in Ghana. The way the social worker advocated and counseled patients educated me on how to approach each case appropriately. Seeing how the social worker handles the patients and their situations with care and understanding taught me about proper communication with patients. The opportunity to sit with a patient who understood English and provide words of encouragement was an impactful moment for me.  

As I contemplate my career aspirations, this program has given me immense field experience in medical and social services. There is so much opportunity to learn in this hospital that does not include just the medical services. I have met many incredible staff members at the hospital and am forever grateful for their insight. It is important to see the groundwork social work and the psychological clinic provide to help patients. Ridge Hospital goes beyond treating physical challenges by aiding patients with situational and mental difficulties.  

It is bittersweet seeing this program come to an end.  Leaving this country and all it has taught me brings tears to my eyes.  

Lillie Ward

This week was our final week at Ridge Hospital and in Ghana. I had the opportunity to observe the doctors one last time before departing back to the United States. This week I was involved in the labor and delivery, ER, surgical, and 24-hour surgical wards. From this entire program, I realized that I am mostly interested in emergency medicine and surgery. 

My favorite case from this week came from the trauma room. A nurse was leaving the room when my eye was caught. I saw many people inside and thought something interesting may be inside. Due to my curiosity, I walked in and asked the doctor if it was okay that Aaron and I observed. He was more than willing to let us stay and was quick to educate us. He showed us the x-rays and explained where the fractures were located. Two men had been involved in a fight that included the use of a machete. Both men had such deep cuts that it looked as if part of their hands were falling off. One had a 5th metacarpal fracture and radial nerve damage with all tendons severed, while the other had a radius fracture with several torn tendons. Both injury sites were cleaned with saline to prevent further infection. At the end, plaster was used to create arm braces. The doctor informed us that the ideal time to operate on these men was under 72 hours. This would ensure optimal recovery and physical therapy performance. 

I am so thankful for this experience and will never forget the lessons it has taught me. I learned to be patient and use innovation in times of limited resources. These are skills that are critical in the medical field, and I believe that I will be better equipped in my future career. I would like to thank my parents for supporting me through this journey through the ups and downs and for being there for me even from the other side of the world. Without those who support me, I would not be working towards reaching my full potential. 

Gabbi Haskins 

Coming to Ghana on the study abroad program has been such an enriching experience. The bold flavors of the foods vary from savory rices and deliciously sweet fruits, to outright flaming hot sauces and soups. Whether you are in the city or the safari, everywhere your eye lands there's lush green trees, foliage, and Red dirt that sparkles in the sun. The landscape stands to further compliments the bright and colorful traditional cloth worn throughout the country by locals.
 

From the minute I arrived until my departure at the airport, the people of Ghana have been some of the richest most loving souls that I have ever encountered. Being around Ghanaians you can’t help smiling from ear to ear. Even when you don’t understand the language the joy that they carry is evident in every interaction. Even those who were experiencing sickness still offer a warm smile when they greet you, for example, like those we worked with during our work in the community Clinics and the hospitals. 

Throughout the course of the study abroad program, I have been in many settings from the markets, to the malls, museums  airports, restaurants, night clubs, taxi cabs, hotels, hospitals, the mayor’s office, a 50ft high rope bridge, big cities, small villages, even trudging through the safari with a rifle toting tour guide and the experience was always warm and welcoming. I can not say enough about how much I love the people and culture of Ghana. Ghana is listed as one of the safest countries in Africa, even safer than the US. This fact was evident in each location that we visited and only adds value to the natural beauty Ghana has to offer. I felt so much at peace in the environment there, with Ghanaians, who have become my people also.

My experience in this years' study abroad program has awakened a new sense of pride and enthusiasm in me for reconnecting with my African roots. As an African American, I am filled with dignity and awe of the tenacity, influence, and achievements of my long lost African Ancestors and how far Ghana has come since its independence only 66 years ago.

written by: Inari 

We spent the last two weeks shadowing at Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge). Each day, we chose a new unit to shadow in so we were able to see a ton of different specialities within the hospital. This was a great opportunity to explore the different specialities and departments within the hospital. While shadowing, I was able to observe procedures, surgeries, and learn about treatment plans and patient care.

My favorite unit to shadow was labor and delivery as I plan to become a midwife. All of the staff at the hospital were incredibly welcoming and excited to teach us and answer our questions. I learned so much about my intended career while shadowing with the midwives in the labor unit. I was able to observe both an emergency and elective c-sections, as well as several vaginal births, even seeing the delivery of twins! I learned all about the different stages of labor, vital checks for mom and baby, and the steps for delivery. My experiences at Ridge were so helpful in affirming my choice of intended career. Shadowing here the last two weeks gave me invaluable experience and allowed me to meet some incredible healthcare workers! 

- Gillian Vaughn

As our time in Ghana is coming to an end, I am holding onto every minute at The Greater Accra Regional Hospital, as I am learning and experiencing so many unique things. On our second to last day at the hospital, I took the opportunity to shadow in an area students don’t often choose, as I wanted to learn something new about a different aspect of the hospital. This unit was the clinical psychology unit and I am so happy I chose it. Caring for one’s mental health is extremely stigmatized in Ghana, so it was amazing to see how these psychologists work hard to break this stigma. The first thing we did was visit the retro, or HIV, clinic. The psychologists spoke to the patients in the waiting room about the importance of seeking help if they are struggling with their diagnosis. They went into details about different symptoms of depression they may be facing and encouraged them to visit their clinic to overcome these. They gave this speech in 3 different languages, including English and Twi, in hopes of spreading their message to every patient in the room. We then went to talk to a few patients within the hospital, including a woman who had to get her leg amputated, who were referred by their nurses and doctors because of their mental health statuses.

It was heartwarming to see that the hospital understands the importance of mental health and is working tirelessly to stress this to patients. I really enjoyed this experience, as these are situations I would have never really grasped without seeing them firsthand. I am sad to leave, but grateful for all of the knowledge I have gained over the last 5 weeks!

-Jenna Schaffer

The other day, our group had the opportunity to relax and spend the day at Safari Valley. When we first arrived, we were taken on a tour around the beautiful resort. We were greeted by a wide range of exotic wildlife, such as zebras, pheasants, emus, donkeys, guinea fowls, and so much more! Personally, seeing the zebras was the highlight of my day, as I had always dreamed of seeing one! Furthermore, we also learned about how Safari Valley houses over 60 indigenous and introduced bird species, making it a fabulous place to bird watch!

After our tour of the resort, we were brought to the beautiful pool where we all kicked back and had some fun. While we are possibly past the age of playing silly pool games, we all participated and had a wonderful time! Shortly afterwards, we went to a delicious buffet that included dishes such as pasta, salad, groundnut soup, grilled chicken, boiled yams, fried rice, and so much more! They even had some desert - I opted for the cheesecake and it was great. Overall, we all had a fantastic day at Safari Valley!

Sydney Rohm

For the final Sunday evening of the program, our group dressed up and attended a play production in the National Theatre. The play, written by the famous Ebo Whyte, was "I Like What You Like" and featured a hilarious ensemble cast.  The performance was a comedic tour de force, and the plot explored the themes of integrity, faith, love, and honor in the face of money and greed.

As someone who loves to attend musical theatre shows in the U.S., I noticed a few differences in the National Theatre compared to the theaters I've visited at home.  Instead of paying for reserved seats in a certain section, we paid a flat fee and selected our seats on a "first come, first served" basis.  Additionally, video advertisements from corporate sponsors were played in between scenes.  And ten minutes before the show started, we were welcomed with a series of four live vocal performances!  This pleasant surprise fueled my excitement for the show.

The production was easily one of my highlights of this program.  Not only was the story engaging, the audience's energy was also infectious.  The actors' jokes and physical humor were met with roaring laughter.  Ghanaian-specific references and African music permeated the performance and contributed to the lively atmosphere, and during a dance number, an audience member joined the show and showed off her dance moves!  At his curtain speech, Ebo Whyte even gave her two complementary tickets as a token of gratitude.

One of my fondest memories over the past few years was playing in the pit orchestra for my high school's spring musical, and this evening's show reminded me of that joy.  As a pianist and percussionist, I loved listening to the live band's musical accompaniment.  Few things can compare to the adrenaline and exhilaration of playing a live show that you have spent countless hours preparing for.  Throughout the performance, I frequently envisioned myself following the actors' cues and playing along to the click track.  This, combined with the excitement of the three-level packed house, made the evening the ideal way to rejuvenate my energy and kickstart our final week of shadowing at Ridge Hospital.

-- Aaron D.

As my time here in Ghana ends, much reflection has been had over the past week. Coming into this experience, I did not expect to learn and grow in the ways that I have, as a student and a person. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been allowed to participate in a program like this. There are more memories and experiences than I can share, as my first-hand experience in Ghana is not something I can offer to others but rather just the stories I tell. As the program concludes, three unique experiences I want to share include shadowing at RIDGE, attending the market, and attending nightly dinners. 

Shadowing at Ridge has allowed me to grow as a student. I was challenged to determine my objectives and my purpose for wanting to shadow the doctors. When I originally answered this question, I would respond by saying, "I want to gain experience in different fields," blah blah blah, but this objective has shifted this last week. My aim while shadowing has now become to observe and learn as many things as possible in the short time I have left to spend with these healthcare workers. To learn how they work together, adapt to their conditions, overcome challenges, and treat patients with the utmost care. In particular, the surgeons I have shadowed have shown remarkable skill and shared extensive knowledge while performing the surgery. They graciously answered and asked questions furthering our ability to learn about the procedures. An array of surgeries are conducted at RIDGE even without some equipment that surgeons in the U.S. might deem vital to helping their patients. It has taught me it is not about what you don't have but how you can accomplish the goal with what you do. By shadowing the plastic surgeon, I can confirm that my passion for becoming a plastic surgeon is even stronger than when I entered this program. 

I wanted to briefly highlight our final market experience because we grew as individuals and as a group over the five-week period. The first time we went to the market, we were overwhelmed and shy when navigating the center. However, as we wandered through the market today, we held our heads high, found some great souvenirs, and negotiated with market sellers like pros. Today's market experience symbolizes the confidence instilled throughout the trip. 

Finally, "family" dinner. Every night we share dinner as a group. It offers a time to talk, debrief from the day, and eat dinner. I now find myself calling them family dinners because a sense of family has been established in our group, and I hope these dinners are an activity that we continue back home. It was a great way to build relationships with my peers, and our conversations were riveting. There was never a dull "family" dinner, no matter how worn out from the day we might have found ourselves, and our second to last family dinner consisted of a Ghanaian version of spaghetti and meatballs, a fun treat enjoyed by all. 

Allison Zador 

Ghanaians are some of the nicest people I have met. We were so fortunate to meet many locals that taught us about the culture and customs. Furthermore, the warmth and hospitality of the Ghanaian people extended beyond teaching us about their culture and customs. They went out of their way to ensure our stay was comfortable and enjoyable. Whether it was recommending the best local food or guiding us through the vibrant markets, their knowledge and willingness to share their experiences enriched our journey.

The communities we visited were particularly memorable. We were humbled by the genuine connections we made in hospitals and local neighborhoods. Everywhere we went, we were met with open arms and genuine curiosity. It was incredible to witness the sense of unity and cooperation among the people, fostering an atmosphere of inclusivity and togetherness.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my time in Ghana was the opportunity to forge friendships with individuals like Roberta, Kessewaa, Dani, Ernestina, Obed, Monica, and many others. They became more than just acquaintances; they became true friends who played a pivotal role in making my experience unforgettable. Each person had a unique story to share and took the time to teach me something new, whether it was about local cuisine, must-visit destinations, work ethics shaped by cultural beliefs, or introducing me to exotic fruits and vegetables.

The bonds we formed transcended mere cultural exchange; they made me feel like a part of their extended family. The genuine connections we established will forever hold a special place in my heart. I left Ghana with a profound sense of gratitude, knowing that when I return, I will be welcomed back by a loving and inclusive community that feels like home.

In summary, the kindness and generosity of the Ghanaian people, coupled with their eagerness to share their culture, created a truly immersive and heartwarming experience. From the locals we met to the communities we embraced, Ghana provided a rich tapestry of friendship and cultural enlightenment that will stay with me for a lifetime.

-Valentina Paez

This week began our shadowing rotations at Greater Accra Regional Hospital! While I rotated between the Maternity, Labor and Delivery, and NICU, I had a fantastic time in the NICU! During my time in the NICU, I got to talk with the fantastic Dr.Brako, one of the head NICU doctors at Ridge. From the time I spent, he seemed very knowledgeable and expected his students to emulate this as well. I went on rounds with him and his medical students to see the different conditions of the patients in the NICU. Many babies in the NICU were admitted for asphyxia, underdeveloped lungs, or just for monitoring for premature births. Dr.Brako put me to work by assigning me to take the vitals of 36 babies in the unit, which includes their oxygen saturation, heartbeats per min, breaths per min, and temperature. It was pretty challenging initially, but it became straightforward once I got used to it! I also saw the parents come into the ward for Kangaroo Care. Kangaroo Care is like skin-to-skin in the state, allowing babies in the NICU to bond with their parents. I saw the cutest thing when a father came in to have skin-to-skin with his twin daughters. This experience has made me consider the possibility of going into Neonatology.

-Tiolulope Popoola

This week I had the privilege of shadowing the doctors, nurses, and various staff members of Greater Accra Regional Hospital, RIDGE.  I want to highlight my first day in the 24-hour surgery ward, where our day began slowly as were toured around the department that was seemingly quiet for an emergency department. The employees of the surgical community were pleased to have time to prepare the surgical theaters equipping each of the four theaters with the supplies necessary for the unpredictable surgical cases that could arrive at any given moment.

Our tour began with Hannah, a surgical nurse working the day shift. She explained what each theater was reserved for. One for pediatric cases or other “clean” cases on busy days, the theater was equipped with comforting images for the children to look at, just like in pediatric hospitals in the United States. Superman, a Princess, and the Stars were there to comfort the children through a scary time. A theater was also reserved for Neruo., as such surgeries' infection rates are much riskier. The last two wards were open to “dirtier” cases where more blood would likely be shed, explained in this manor by the surgical nurses. Ernest was the second nurse to continue our tour. He had been asked to stay after working the night shift to entertain me and my peer. He kindly obliged and concluded our touring portion with insight into when we should return to Ghana to focus on having “FUN.” We then met with the emergency department nurse manager and had the opportunity to ask questions. Followed by the opportunity to learn about some simple sutures used in the operating room. We even practiced on a surgical drape that we pretended to resemble skin.

Finally, the first case arrived. An ENT surgery where the patient was treated using technology that allowed me to visualize the inside of the patient nose on a screen was pretty interesting. We stayed late after our other classmates departed from the hospital to witness an amputation. The opportunity to be so close and to learn in the ways we are blessed to be able to must be taken to its full advantage. It was the most exciting surgery I have witnessed, leaving me eager to see more. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to confirm my passion for surgery by shadowing the generous surgeons at RIDGE, and I look forward to the remaining days as I learn more.

We concluded our day with a ride on the Tro-Tro, the local bus system in Accra's heart. It was such a neat experience to ride with the local members of the community back to Manpong. I truly felt immersed in the Ghanaian community I have spent the past four weeks calling home.

Allison Zador

This week, we spent time shadowing various medical specialties at Ridge Hospital in Accra. This has been my favorite part of the program by far because I have been exposed to so many new things that I wouldn’t get to see until medical school otherwise. My favorite day this week was when I got to observe in the emergency department. Emergency medicine is one of the specialties that I am most strongly considering pursuing after medical school, so I was already excited before I got to the department. Once I arrived, I was greeted by a house doctor, which is about equivalent to an intern in the United States, and he invited me to follow him around while he saw a couple of patients before rounds. He was clearly stressed, as he was seeing a patient and on a Zoom call at the same time. He also said he was going to be late to round with the attending, so I appreciated that he still made time for me to follow him and ask questions. We quickly saw a patient on the ground floor in the emergency department, and then the next thing I knew, we were sprinting up stairs, two at a time, to the top floor of the hospital. We saw a patient up there and ran back down to join a group of medical students and house doctors huddled around an attending doctor. Once we joined this group, I quickly realized why my newly befriended house doctor was so stressed. These rounds that the attendings and house doctors make are just like they are portrayed in TV shows. The house doctor has to present the patient and their history, symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment to the attending, while the attending drills them with questions and critiques in return. I followed along with this group for several patients, and when there was a lull in the rounds, I introduced myself to the attending and explained what I was doing with them. I felt a little bit silly with this group because I was so clearly out of place, but thankfully, the attending was happy to talk to me and the house doctors and medical students welcomed me with open arms. I am so grateful I got to live life as a Ghanaian medical student for the day, and I can’t wait for my (hopeful!) future as a true medical student myself!

-Victoria L.

This week, we started shadowing at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge), and we will continue this shadowing for the remainder of our time in Ghana. I have shadowed in the NICU, radiology, elective surgery theaters, and emergency surgery theaters. At this halfway point, I have already learned so much about medicine and healthcare, and I am looking forward to deepening this knowledge next week. 

Today, I saw a case that I will never forget. I got to watch brain surgery on a one year old child, who had encephalitis and hydrocephalus. The neurosurgeon taught me that hydrocephalus is a build up of cerebral spinal fluid that puts pressure on the brain. Encephalitis is a brain infection that causes inflammation in the brain. Both of these things caused an enlarged head. In this specific case, the child had Fetus in Fetu inside the head, a very rare case where a mass of tissue, from another fetus in the womb, forms inside the body of the child. This mass on the child’s head had a tooth structure, which acted as an opening into the head. This allowed infection to get in, causing the encephalitis. In surgery, they put a shunt ij the brain connecting to outside of the body in order to drain the infected CSF. Once the infection is cleared, they will put a different shunt into the body that will stay there. 

I am so happy that I was able to watch this surgery and ask the neurosurgeon so many questions, as I have always been very interested in the brain. This was such a unique and invaluable experience. I am so thankful that I was able to learn so much from this entire week!

This week we had the opportunity to observe doctors at Ridge Hospital. I was able to work in the pediatric oncology, surgical theatre, 24 hour theatre, and labor and delivery wards. While all were truly fascinating, my favorite was the surgical theatre ward. Here I was able to observe 9 surgeries within a two-day span which is more surgeries than I have shadowed in America. The surgery that intrigued me the most was the craniotomy. 

In the United States, I believe that I would never be able to enter the OR of brain surgery, at least not until a higher level of education. However, Ghana was able to provide me the experience of a lifetime. Originally, we were only allowed to watch the surgery from the outside of the operating room on a large television. This was because there was a high risk of infection. While this was amazing to watch, we wanted a more involved perspective. We asked if we would be able to each rotate into the theatre to take a quick glance at the procedure. We were successful and granted 5 minutes each inside of the room.

During my time, I was able to see the open skull and surrounding areas. I was unable to see the actual brain due to standing a few steps away from the surgeon. While I was observing, one of the many surgeons in the room approached me. He asked where I was from and told me that he was from Korea. After a long list of questions asked by myself, he informed me that surgeons from around the world flew into Ghana for this second phase craniotomy. The first phase focused on drilling through the skull while this phase worked to break the dura mater and locate the tumor. On the monitor, he was able to identify the parts of the brain we were looking at. I was unsure on most of the terms he was using, but I did understand what Broca’s area is as I have learned that in psychology. It was awesome to be able to observe this structure in real life instead of seeing pictures on paper. 

After I exited, I continued to see the surgeons remove the tumor. It was the most exhilarating experience I have ever had. The feeling of being surrounded by such smart individuals is a feeling that is indescribable. I am so thankful for this opportunity and the many others that this hospital has provided so far. I look forward to many more stories and memories as we continue this experience next week. 

Gabbi Haskins

This week I had the privilege of shadowing at Greater Accra Regional Hospital, RIDGE. Although I do not plan to attend Medical School, I hope to complete a master's program in Psychology. With that being said, when choosing the departments to shadow, I chose several related to my intended career aspirations but I also chose to shadow in some areas that I wanted to explore. Through my exploration, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed being a part of the medical community. One experience that impacted my view was shadowing in the labor and delivery department. 

While shadowing the labor and delivery department, I was able to witness a vaginal birth as well as a C-section. Having these experiences was something that I would never have imagined to be a part of. It was inspiring to see the strength in these women delivering and the midwives who helped them bring new life into this world. Being in Ghana expanded my knowledge and horizons regarding the different medical career paths. 

Not only did I have the opportunity to appreciate different facets of the medical community in regard to my own career goals, but I also had an eye-opening experience while at RIDGE. While shadowing the social workers, we traveled around the hospital to each ward, meeting with patients for various reasons. It was interesting to contrast the social differences in the Ghanaian health care system and the Health care system in the states. It confirmed my passion for psychology, counseling, and interactions with patients in need. 

Lillie Ward 

This week our group visited the first cocoa farm established in Ghana. The visit was not in our itinerary, however with Ghana’s famous cocoa industry and a historic farm being near where we stayed, we had to go! The farm layout was different from what I had expected, stepping into it, it seemed like the average wilderness, however upon closer inspection you would realize most of the trees were cocoa trees. Our tour guide explained to us that these trees are particular and they do best in an environment that simulates their natural habitat. Therefore other trees and plants grew among the cocoa trees to create a shady canopy layer for them to thrive in. We walked through the process of cocoa growing and harvesting. This included cutting a ripe yellow pod from the tree with a scythe like tool. This would give us the fresh pod, which could be consumed like a fruit. The flavor was sweet and tart, comparable to a mango. From these pods seeds will be separated, dried and fermented to transform into the cocoa bean we are familiar with. It changes from a white fleshy exterior with a purple interior to a uniformly dark brown when it's ready. Drying and fermenting the seeds from the pods gives the cocoa its distinct flavor. Eaten raw in its fermented dried form tastes just like chocolate! I Had no idea how cocoa beans were harvested. This experience was super fun and interesting. Cocoa is an awesome crop that fetches a valuable price at the market being 850 cedis/85 dollars per kg!

-Sakura Sealy

This past week we visited the first ever cocoa farm in Ghana, Tetteh Quarshie, named after the man who founded it. Tetteh Quarshie brought cocoa to Ghana from Fernanopdo in 1879. He planted the first cocoa tree on his land in Mampong Akwapim. Some of the original cocoa trees are still standing and are now 144 years old! 

We were taken on a tour through the farm and learned all about how they grow and harvest the cocoa pods. Only one pod is planted at a time, and the trees can live for 30 to 40 years depending on the variety. There are three different cocoa types planted in the farm with around 1,000 total trees on the farm. Several different types of plants like plantain and cocoa yams are also planted to form a canopy for the temporal cocoa trees. The cocoa trees are harvested three times a year as it takes four months from flowering to fruition. The cocoa pods are ripe and ready to be harvested when they turn yellow. Harvesting is done with a long scythe like pole that has a small curved blade on the end. The cocoa pods will not fall off the tree and must be harvested before they over ripen and become unusable. 

Once the cocoa beans are ripe, the beans are removed from the inside and fermented for seven days. They are wrapped in banana leaves to keep any sunlight from affecting the fermentation process. Every few days, the beans are rotated to ensure all the beans ferment. After this process, the beans turn from white to brown on the exterior and the inside is no longer purple. The beans are then tried in the sunlight on a mat for three weeks. This process is done to increase the flavor of the cocoa beans. Our tour guide explained to us that this is why Ghana is considered the first in cocoa bean production and quality. We were able to try both the fresh and dried cocoa beans while at the farm. The fresh ones have a sweet fruity flavor while the dried beans taste like unsweetened dark chocolate. This was a such a fun experience and a great way to learn more about Ghanaian culture and history!  

- Gillian Vaughn 

This week begins the final portion of our Ghana journey.  For the rest of the program, our group will be conducting observations across various units and departments in the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge).  As an aspiring physician-epidemiologist, I was interested in exploring how public health operates at Ridge Hospital.  Thus, I spent my first day shadowing at the Disease Control Unit.

My day at the Disease Control Unit was a mini adventure in public health.  I began by examining the daily surveillance conducted for the Greater Accra Region.  Currently, influenza is among the most prevalent diseases, so I was able to see both the physical and electronic records for new cases.  Afterward, I toured the facilities and explored the former COVID-19 ICU ward and the storage room for routine immunizations.  I even got to open the freezer and hold bags of childhood vaccinations!  As someone who conducts global health vaccine research in low- and middle-income countries, I relished the opportunity to interact with the objects of my studies. 

Next, I visited the laboratory to collect the day’s newest samples and results.  While I was waiting, I spoke with one of the technicians and learned about the process for analyzing suspected tuberculosis and COVID-19 samples.  The laboratory equipment was quite advanced, and I enjoyed seeing how PCR was being used in a medical setting.

When I returned to the main office, I reviewed the weekly and monthly incidence reports for infectious and non-communicable diseases.  Although some of the most prevalent diseases (such as influenza, hypertension, and diabetes) were common in the U.S., I noticed that others (such as malaria and typhoid) were not.  And while tuberculosis is more prevalent in Ghana than in the U.S., the hospital only reported approximately 10 lab-confirmed cases per month.

As a public health student, I loved exploring how the public health infrastructure in Ghana compared to that of the U.S.  Although the two countries experience differing health issues, they share a similar epidemiological surveillance structure.  I found the reporting processes conducted at the Disease Control Unit to be almost identical to the ones I followed during my internship at a Georgia health district.  These parallels were highly insightful and demonstrated how public health practices can be universal.

-- Aaron D.

Witnessing two C-sections and two natural/vaginal births in one day was one of the most amazing things that I’ve ever experienced. I can’t even begin to explain the feeling that I had when I was able to encourage these women and be by their sides during such a monumental moment in their lives. Whether we held their hands while they were experiencing contractions or just simply gave them words of encouragement, they were incredibly thankful to us for being with them. And I was eternally grateful to have been able to help. 

One specific experience that I will hold with me for the rest of my life was when I witnessed a woman give birth to twins. This woman, to put it extremely lightly, was incredibly strong and resilient throughout this process. She gave birth naturally, with no epidural, and her determination throughout her birth was extremely admirable. Further, her birth was especially interesting, for she had fraternal twins - one boy and one girl - and they shared a placenta! This is very rare, as they would normally have separate placentas. The beautiful twins were brought into this world at approximately 1:04pm and 1:33pm. I am very grateful to have been able to witness such a unique childbirth!

Sydney Rohm

During my time at Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge) I had the opportunity to explore many aspects of the services they offer but the area where I felt most at home was the Labor and Delivery unit. Although the atmosphere was charged with so many different emotions at all times, that energy only made the melting pot more meaningful.

There was always a constant flow of busyness throughout the ward. From the start of the shift until the very end you could feel a sense of wonder saturating the air. The first patient experienced a long labor, as it was her first child. She was so grateful for our help at her bedside. The second mother was 2 weeks over full term when she began active labor. She told me "she had not slept for 5 days due to false labor pains", also known as Braxton hicks contractions. She delivered naturally after three big pushes. I was astonished by her recovery, because she was sitting up breastfeeding within 15 minutes like it was just another normal day.  I was quite impressed with her tenacity.

Another mention worthy birth, was my assistance in the birth of Fraternal Twins. The mother had been in active labor since 5am when she arrived at the ward dilating very slowly at first. The midwife said she was at 8cm at her last check, then the birthing mother suddenly she let out a loud yelp and the first baby's head was already out of the vaginal canal before we could even prep the bed for delivery. She finally gave birth to the first twin a male at 1:04pm and the second, a female at 1:34pm. They were healthy full term babies weighing in at 2.5kg and 3.5kg.  It was very rewarding to work alongside a team of such knowledgeable and talented midwives. I am full of gratitude for this once in a lifetime opportunity in Ghana. 

witten by : INARI

This past weekend, we used our free weekend and planned a trip to an Aqua Safari Resort. This resort is owned by a Ghanaian and has another sister resort called aqua safari valley close to our Host home in Mampong. The resort stay included a room (with hot water), a complimentary massage, and meals during our stay. It was a beautiful and private enclosure with peacocks, donkeys, and horses roaming, and offered a bunch of free activities like bird watching, segway riding, turtle feeding, and pool. I was really excited about all the veggies offered and even got a fun tropical drink at the bar. By the pool were super cute beds for all of us to sprawl out on. It was so relaxing and a much-needed break from Accra and our usual schedule. On our last day, I and my roommate had breakfast in bed and went for an additional massage and facial before joining everyone in the van for the journey back to the mountains. I was very sad to go but rejuvenated for the coming week at Ridge Hospital.

-Bella 

Our group had the opportunity to go to the first cocoa farm in Ghana, located in Mampong. Tettah Quarshie Cocoa Farm was founded in 1879 with the oldest trees being 144 years old and still producing cocoa. Ghana is the second largest producer of cocoa in the world, and we learned of the process and even got to taste the cocoa bean at different stages of harvest.

 A single harvest of cocoa beans takes 3-4 months and there are 4 cycles of harvesting per year. There is a slow and meticulous process that comes with preparing the beans, and the flavor changes significantly during the different stages. When the cocoa pod is ripe, the outside is yellow, and the farmer must chop it from the tree. The farmer will then open the pod and there will be anywhere between 1-55 beans. These beans are originally white in color, wet, and they taste sweet like a mango. After a 7-day drying process, the bean turns brown in color and tastes like dark chocolate. The photos show the cocoa pod and my peers cutting down a cocoa bean from a tree.

-Isabella Morin

As a part of the study abroad program's cultural  immersion experience we took time to thoroughly explore the history of Ghana and the effects that this history has had globally. The most impactful part of this program so far has been our visit to the Cape Coast Castle. Having a first hand look at the architecture and infrastructure of a building that was constructed and designed specifically for the purpose of being a hub for the British to implement their slave trade expeditions was very impactful. The stark contrast between the pristine white exterior of the upper levels of the building and the dingy dark dungeon below was mind blowing. During this visit to the Cape coast Castle, we were able to reimagine the conditions which impacted the African captives during that time and furthermore, put into context the severity of their living conditions. The effects of this travesty can still be felt by the people of African descent in both Ghana, the US, and many countries across the globe. 

On the front of the building was a marble plaque that stated: “ In everlasting memory of the anguish of our Ancestors. May those who died Rest In Peace. May those who return find their roots. May humanity never again perpetuate such injustice against humanity. We, the living, vow to uphold this.” This empowered me in my career endeavors as I go into the final year of my MSW program in the School of Social Work. It is my aim to advocate for the disenfranchised and uphold the message in this quote to ensure people are treated in a way that honors their humanity. The visit to Cape coast is certainly one that will stick with me forever. 
 

Written by: Inari 

This week, we spent our days at the Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital shadowing, observing, and learning about the hospital’s operations. PMLC is known for treating an abundance of malnutrition cases and providing effective treatment for children suffering from multiple nutrient deficiencies.  Throughout my time in the hospital, I was able to attend a morning meeting among the doctors and a presentation on proper diagnosis and treatment of malnutrition. Both meetings taught me about the different aspects of hospital protocol and gave me a better understanding of their patient treatment plans.  Although malnutrition cases are a major area of concern for the hospital, they have many other wards dealing with newborns to family planning.  Those were two of the wards I got the privilege of shadowing in.  While in the newborn ward, I was able to observe the procedure for feeding newborns and the hourly checkups by the doctor.  The doctor allowed me to listen to the heartbeat and educate me on Asphyxia.  One of the newborns was suffering from Asphyxia because of a lack of oxygen to the brain around the time of birth.  Therefore, the baby was on a constant oxygen flow and needed constant care, feeding and checkups.  On the other hand, while I was in the family planning unit, I was educated on the many different forms of birth control provided to women of all ages.  The societal pressure of becoming pregnant at a young age is common in some areas in Ghana.  This clinic helps inform families and women about the positives and negatives of the many factors that involve bringing children into the world.  Shadowing at this hospital expanded my understanding of the Ghanaian health care system and how their culture impacts many aspects of what they do.

This week, we had the opportunity to shadow at Princess Marie Louise Children's Hospital (PML) in Accra, Ghana. For the history of the hospital, it is one of the two largest children's hospitals located in Ghana. It also has a significant history for being the place where Dr.Cicely Williams discovered Kwashiorkor. I remember sitting in Dr. Anderson's class, learning all about the discovery of the disease, and I could not wait to have the opportunity to visit! While shadowing within the hospital, I had many great experiences, but I will mainly discuss my favorite unit. First is having the opportunity to work in the newborn care unit! At PML, they do not have a maternity ward. However, babies are transferred upon leaving the hospital to PML for extra care. Two babies were in the unit during the two days I spent there. One female baby was admitted for preterm birth at 33 weeks with severe jaundice, and one male baby was admitted for birth asphyxia and a possible sepsis risk. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the unit as I was paired with some fantastic nurses! They gave me a rundown of each baby's condition and the typical day. I also had the chance to talk to the doctors and Interns placed on this case. I was even allowed to help administer antibiotics to one of the babies this morning! Even though some resources are lacking compared to the united states, I truly believe that the babies in the newborn unit receive the most impeccable care from the most outstanding staff!

-Tiolulope Popoola

This week we began our time shadowing at Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital. On the first day, I spent my time working with children six months and older. The doctor was very kind and showed me her day-to-day routine. She was a “housemaid,” which is part of the training process in medical schools in Ghana. I was able to shadow them as she monitored the health of 6 patients. The admitted children go to the ER for triage and are observed in their respective wards. The hospital setting was much different than in the U.S., but seeing the doctors work with the available resources was terrific. 

As the week continued, I had the opportunity to shadow during surgery. Only simple procedures were performed at this hospital, but I have never been that close to something like that before. I am very gracious for the opportunity to have learned from these doctors. I do not think I would have had the same chance to be so involved with the patients and doctors in the U.S. 

Allison Zador

This week our group shadowed at Princess Marie Louise Hospital. We started off the week with an orientation and tour of the hospital. We were able to see all of the different wards and here about the different specialized clinics they offer during the week. For the first day, I shadowed in their newborn care unit which is their equivalent to a NICU. These babies are referred for treatment from other hospitals as PML does not have a delivery ward. They have a special room for the mothers of the infants to stay at the hospital. 

I learned all about the specific conditions of the babies who were currently there for treatment. While I was there, the doctor came in to do his rounds and let me ask a ton of questions while he did the babies' checks. I learned a lot about the specific conditions they were suffering from and how they were being cared for. The in charge nurse also let me do the vital checks for one of the infants: temperature, pulse ox, pulse, and respiration rate. In addition to observing the doctors and infants, every two hours the mothers come in for feeds and so I was able to meet them as well which was a great experience. PML gave me a great look into newborn care in other countries and gave me a new perspective on patient care. 
 

- Gillian Vaughn

This week, I have had the opportunity to shadow doctors at Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital. This has been such an amazing experience, as I have been able to learn about medicine and healthcare in an extremely unique way. I have gained a new perspective on practicing medicine and cannot wait to take this knowledge back home with me. 
 
My favorite unit that I shadowed in was the malnutrition inpatient unit. This is where children who just got to the hospital for malnutrition come. It was heartwarming to watch as mothers of different children went out of their way to spend time giving love and taking care of an orphaned child in the ward. 

I learned a lot about severe acute malnutrition (SAM), which as you can tell from the name, is a very severe case of malnourishment. This is defined physically as bilateral putting oedema or wasting. Bilateral putting oedema is the swelling of tissue on both sides of the body. I learned that this swelling is fluid from blood vessels that leak into the blood tissue from protein and electrolyte deficiencies. Putting occurs from dehydration and is seen you push the skin down and it does not return to its initial position right away. It was crazy to see this actually occur on these little kids.

I also learned about how they treat these patients. They first stabilize the patient using formulas known as f75 and f100. These solutions are made up of different quantities of sugar, powdered milk, vegetable oil, warm water, and a mixture of vitamins and minerals. I got to taste this mixture, and it was very sweet! Children are slowly weaned off of these drinks and once they are stabilized, they are able to enter rehabilitation. 

This was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn about malnutrition, as not only did I get to learn so much about it and how it works, but I also got to see it in action, which gave me a better understanding on the matter altogether. 
 

-Jenna Schaffer

This past weekend, we had all of Sunday to ourselves to do whatever we wanted, and I chose to have a much-needed rest day after working hard all week. I slept in, ate a late breakfast, and decided to go on a mid-morning run since the weather was so nice out. I run frequently at home, and I didn’t consider the adjustment that was going to happen to my exercise routine when coming to Ghana, so I was excited to get out and explore. I decided I was going to go by myself but stay on the neighborhood dirt roads surrounding the house, so I didn’t get lost. I ran a couple of miles on my own and was getting tired, so I was considering finishing up early and going home when out of nowhere, a little boy comes out from his house and starts running next to me. He said he wanted to run together, so I decided to stay out and he even pushed me to go a little faster. We talked about his family, school, and soccer (football here), which is a shared love of ours. I ended up staying out for a few more miles with him, then said goodbye and finally went home.

A couple of days later we were at a nearby seamstress getting dresses made when the little boy walks by. He looks around and asks, “Where is sister Vic?!”, so I come out to the road to say hello and we make plans to run again soon. I thought it was so sweet that something as simple as running together was so meaningful and memorable to both of us. Since that Sunday, several others and I have gone on runs around the neighborhood, and we end up attracting a herd of children by the time we finish. I’m so grateful that we’ve gotten to meet so many people in the community, find running buddies, and get our exercise in (while probably looking a little funny, too 😊 ).

-Victoria L.

During my rotations at the Children’s Hospital in Accra, Ghana, I was able to learn from their dietitian. I witnessed the significance of understanding different cultures to be able to tailor education to each patient. Dani was able to show how important sociodemographic factors are in affecting Ghanaian diet and nutritional practices. Therefore, it is essential to have a good balance of background and knowledge in different cultures to be able to offer the best service to any patient. Incorporating local foods and meal preparation methods into recommendations allows the patients to feel more connected, instead of saying, “AVOID EATING THIS!”

I was able to learn from Dani in different settings, outpatient, and inpatient. The outpatient ones were mostly over the age of 18, and the inpatient ones were mostly infants. I observed the prevalence of malnourished children and infants at the hospital and the importance of slowly increasing their calories to avoid refeeding syndrome, as it is something that can easily happen in children. Dani emphasized the importance of slowly controlling the increase of calories. In cases of severe malnutrition, the use of therapeutic formulas like F75 and F100 was crucial. These formulas help attain the proper macronutrients and micronutrients while helping to avoid refeeding syndrome, which is a life-threatening condition that occurs when malnourished individuals are reintroduced rapidly to more calories

The experiment with Dani, the dietitian, helped me realize why having different cultures' experiences and knowledge is crucial for nutrition education. Tailoring the health recommendations to each person's background helps them to feel that they can ask you for recommendations. Also, the role of a pediatric dietitian is crucial in giving the babies the right amounts of nutrition to make sure to avoid refeeding syndrome, as well as maintaining proper continuous nutrition after they recover from malnutrition and even dehydration.

-Valentina Paez

            This week we got the opportunity to shadow doctors at the Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital. The environment was quite different than the United States; however, it benefited us in many ways. I was able to act as a scribe for a doctor in the Emergency department as well as help analyze blood results to create a treatment plan for a patient with complicated malaria. This is something that would require some level of training in America. 

            During our time at the hospital, I was fortunate to follow well trained professionals in the in-patient malnutrition ward, the 6 month under/older ward, and the ER ward. While I learned a tremendous amount of information in all three, my favorite was the ER ward. This was due to the willingness of the doctor to help educate me in the field. I learned about conditions such as complicated and uncomplicated malaria, jaundice, and malnutrition. These are conditions that are not as prevalent in the USA making them unique to this region. I was able to assist in assessing babies with jaundice by observing them in phototherapy to see if their eyes still had an apparent yellow tint. In addition to the hands-on exposure, I was informed with the science behind these conditions. I learned how phototherapy works to help jaundice by converting unconjugated bilirubin into its conjugated form. Furthermore, I learned that complicated malaria involves the organs being affected. 

            This experience is one that I will forever be grateful for as I work towards my intended career. I was able to gain insight on diseases that are not common in America expanding my capacity of knowledge. While my time in Ghana is coming to an end, the knowledge gained will be something that stays with me for my entire lifetime. 

Gabbi Haskins 

In central Accra lies a busy marketplace industry. One of my goals for the trip was to get a custom made dress, however this required me to pick out a fabric. In Ghana tailoring dresses from Ankara fabric was popular and I desired a keepsake from my memorable trip. This would have me undergo the process of interacting with local vendors and seamstresses to accomplish, which allowed me to attain a culturally immersive experience as I journeyed to have my dress made.. It was suggested to me to visit a marketplace so I could have a wide selection at a negotiable price. When our group traveled to shadow at Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital, we would pass straight through the marketplace. I had the idea to gather a group of friends that wanted to experience the central Accra marketplace. It was to my delight that a few people were interested in checking out this famous site, which I was informed was named “Makola Marketplace”. The trip was a bit daunting as we would adventure through unfamiliar streets, however luckily we were guided by a friend of Dr.Anderson’s named Theodora who would show us exactly where to go when we had requests for a particular item. For me, I was on the hunt for fabric. Theodora led us through a maze of stalls and vendors until we came upon a section dedicated to the sale of fabrics. Initially I was overwhelmed by the selection, until I laid my eyes on a piece that appeared perfect. I negotiated the price and happily bought 6 yards of the material. This was the perfect amount to make my dress! Going on this journey allowed me to foster a sense of independence and through the common novelty, I felt closer to some of my peers as bonds were developed with the small group that shared this experience with me.

-Sakura Sealy

Things are settling into a routine, and I think I’m getting used to how things work in Ghana, and how different this country really is from the United States. Not getting to celebrate the Fourth of July in a traditional way made me appreciate all the customs I take for granted back home, but I’m glad to be experiencing all that there is here. This weekend we went to Kakum national park and cape coast, this touristy excursion was met with a much-needed free day where all of us relaxed and watched a movie, I even had time to crochet a small basket out of recycled plastic yarn for my toiletries to sit in, instead of the slimy gallon bag I had been using. On Monday we started shadowing at the Children's Hospital which provides its services for free. Every day this week we wake up at 5 AM to journey two hours through the packed streets in Accra to get there (header picture). The sanitation and resources in the hospitals are not anything like what we have in the United States, but the healthcare professionals work hard and use what they can to meet patient needs and treat who they can. I got the chance to work in the newborn care unit and the out/in-patient malnutrition ward, the former being much more established. The babies in each were equally as surprising, one being a five-day-old 33-week premature baby, smaller than any human form I’d ever seen and the other being an 8^th month baby that could easily have been mistaken for a 2-year-old. Im so glad I got the chance to see how the dieticians and doctors worked together to use nutrition principles so vital here. The time in the hospitals has been so enriching in understanding the global scope of access to healthcare and has influenced my personal and academic journey. I truly don’t think that these lessons I will take away from Ghana would have been learned in any way other than a firsthand experience. This program has been invaluable in shaping my perspective of what it means to be a global citizen. 

Bella

This week, our group shadowed doctors and nurses at Princess Marie Louise Children's Hospital, one of the largest children's hospitals in Accra. Every day, we pair up in partners and rotate through the hospital's numerous wards and units that include ER, surgery, family planning, malnutrition, asthma, neurological disorders, retro (also known as HIV/AIDS), and sickle cell. One of my educational highlights of this week, however, drew from a lecture we attended.

Halfway through our first day of shadowing, our group was summoned to the conference room, where we joined undergraduate students from Child Family Health International and medical students from the University of Ghana. After everyone had arrived, a registered dietician led a two-hour lecture titled "Inpatient Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition". In the presentation, I learned about the symptoms, admission criteria, pathophysiology, and treatment of malnutrition. I particularly loved discovering how z score and standard deviation calculations are used for criteria and how F75 and F100 (formulas that we saw the previous day) were used to treat malnutrition.

This hospital is well-known for its care of malnutrition patients, so I was curious to learn about the treatment of an ailment that's rarely seen in the U.S. Thus, I was amazed by the degree of specificity and regimen behind the stabilization, transition, and rehabilitation stages of malnutrition care. But what truly touched me were the "before and after" pictures, the visual transformations from malnourishment to health. Before this program, I didn't have much experience in the food and nutritional sciences. But through talking with my peers and learning at the children's hospital, I now have a greater understanding and appreciation of how nutrition intersects with healthcare.

-- Aaron D.

I truly learned so much in the sickle cell disease ward! Dr. Neequaye was extremely kind and taught us so much about the intricacies of sickle cell disease and the effects it has on the population. We learned about how sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder, and how it causes red blood cells to become misshapen and die early, leaving a shortage of healthy red blood cells. Further, this causes a blockage of blood flow that can be very painful for the patient. Additionally, we learned about the hydroxyurea treatment, and how this medication can relieve some of the pain caused by sickle cell disease and allow for individuals to live a relatively normal life. Before this treatment was created, individuals were lucky to live past 40 years old. 

Something that I found to be very beneficial within the sickle cell ward was how they educated the young children and parents. They gave each patient a little comic book regarding what exactly sickle cell disease is and how it is inherited. Further, they also had comic books for the older adults, which educated them on the importance of getting blood testing done to see whether or not they are likely to have a child with sickle cell disease. I found these comic books to provide a very simplistic and effective way to educate the patients. 

Sydney Rohm

Our group has had the privilege of traveling all around Ghana and fully immersing ourselves into the culture. This often comes at a cost of long bus rides, and intense conditions with bucket showers and hand-washing our clothing. However, the beauty of this country is so raw and pure, it is a joy to be able to travel the entire country and experience Ghana as a whole.

            Kakum National Park is located in the southern part of Ghana and has a 350-meter canopy walk 30 meters above the ground. Kakum National Park is covered by a tropical forest and the canopy walk allows us to experience the forest from above. This was a perfect activity for our group as it allowed us to get out of the van, stretch our legs, and enjoy nature along the way. The photos show our group walking on the canopy, the view from the top of the canopy, and some wildlife we saw along the way.

-Isabella Morin

This week we offered community health screenings to five different communities around Suhum. Seeing how we grew as a team and improved daily with our efficiency in seeing patients was engaging. In addition to monitoring our progress, observing the differences and similarities between communities was interesting, depending on their geographical location and other socio-economic factors. In addition to assisting in these communities, reflecting throughout the day on the simpler things in life that can make people happy was lovely. As a group, we developed a rotation that allowed individuals to take breaks throughout our day, whether to grab a snack, use the restroom, have some water, or even engage with the community members.

Some communities offered our group fresh coconuts to drink from and eat the fruit inside. Seeing how fast they could unveil the fruits inside the hard shells was excellent, and sharing a traditional snack/drink with us was terrific. When I took a break, I spent time with the children outside, blowing bubbles. Something so simple as a solution with soap and water made the children laugh, run around, and interact with each other. Not only did the bubbles entertain the kids the parents and older members of the community would come outside and take turns blowing bubbles and watching as the kids, with wide eyes, watched the iridescent spheres float through the air. It was a good reminder not to lose sight of the simple things throughout your day-to-day life that might bring unexpected joy to those around you. Bubbles are fun, health care is necessary, and coconuts are refreshing.

Allison Zador

The nutritional screening portion of this program has just come to an end as we made our way through six different communities. Each day we noticed trends that were unique to each community. The results were varied with some showing a high percentage of patients with high blood pressures while others had a steady rate of patients with a low BMI. Now that we have collected this data, I hope to help Dr. Anderson understand the results. During this time, I was able to acquire skills that I did not have before starting. These included measuring blood pressure and finger pricking for hemoglobin, glucose, and cholesterol. I was able to obtain these skills on the first day of the screenings which allowed me to practice on a countless number of patients. This experience has allowed me to become confident in my abilities and has set a foundation for future skills.  

In addition to the medical experience I have gained, I also was able to interact with the communities. Each one spoke a different level of English which made communication a challenge. Because of this, I had to learn some basic phrases in Twi to communicate. The individuals who did speak English well were welcoming and willing to assist in translating. Before beginning the screenings each day, we visited the chiefs of the communities where they gave us a warm welcome. This was very insightful about Ghanaian culture as I learned that in formal settings, the chief does not speak directly to us. Instead, he communicates to us through the community elders. 

My favorite memory from the screenings was during our time at the third village when Lillie and I took a break from the blood station to go outside and drink coconut water. I have never done this before, so it was a unique experience to watch the man cut open the coconut before he handed it to me to enjoy. After drinking the water, we were able to eat the fruit inside which was bright white. It had an interesting texture, but it tasted delicious. This was a perfect break from working, and allowed Lillie and I to take some photos together. 

Gabbi Haskins 

There is a lot that goes into the process of providing health screenings to multiple communities.  We successfully helped hundreds of people in five different communities in five days while staying in Suhum.   I wanted to share how a typical day goes to have an efficient and smooth-running health screening.  We wake up, eat breakfast, and head to the village we serve that day around 7:00 AM.  Before setting up in the community, we stop by the chief’s house to receive a warm welcome, blessings, and gratitude for our service in their community.  We also express our appreciation for the opportunity to serve in their villages.  Then we head to set up for patients and work together to utilize the space to ensure the clinic runs smoothly.  We have seven different stations that we rotate throughout the day so we can gain experience in every area of this clinical setting.  The stations include greetings, height, weight, BMI, blood pressure, blood tests for glucose and hemoglobin level, cholesterol, and data entry and counseling with Dr. Anderson.  After seeing all the patients for the day, we cleaned the area and packed up all our supplies for use the next day.

I enjoyed being a part of every station because I was able to learn something new each time.  For instance, greetings was the first station I ever served at and one of my favorites.  I would try my best to speak some Twi and would be corrected and helped by the locals.  Even though I never said a word perfectly, they always seemed to appreciate my attempts to speak the language.   A day in the life of a health screening is busy and so rewarding to be a part of.  

Lillie Ward

This week we went out to rural communities in Ghana to conduct health screenings. Every morning we woke up early to meet the chiefs of the villages we were entering, then set up our clinical stations. We ended up serving over 1000 community members throughout our screening days. However, week two hit hard with little sleep, lots of bumpy roads, and many health challenges among the group. Travelers illness got to many of us, and car sickness to a few especially me. Moreover, we are feeling the physical and emotional effects of being in a developing country. While the circumstances are testing us, at the end of the day we know that our strife is simply growing pains, making us more well-rounded, compassionate, and dedicated students and people. Things I am missing from home are warm showers, potable tap water, my full wardrobe, not having a headache from the malaria medication, sleeping in, my friends and family, my car, paved roads, adherence to traffic rules, ceramic toilets accompanied by toilet paper, consistent air conditioning a washer and dryer and more. On the other hand, my relationships with all my peers have been a cornerstone of my emotional and physical well-being. Everyone has been so accepting and generous, from being a shoulder to cry on to lending a couple of sprays of bug spray. While this week has challenged us again and again, I am hopeful for more experiences and learning as we travel this country, interact with its locals and learn about its history.

Bella

On July 1st our group had the pleasure to visit Kakum national park. We were greeted by friendly staff that led us through the jungle on a trek up toward the canopy walk. This unique experience consisted of suspended bridges up within the canopy layer of the forest. We walked hundreds of feet above the ground between large trees that were connected with rope bridges. This hike was like nothing I've ever experienced before. I was filled with fear and excitement as the bridge rocked with the movement of the group. The experience was certainly the sense of adventure I was looking forward to in the program. As a biology major I enjoy learning and observing all forms of life. Our canopy walk exposed us to an up close experience with native plants and animals we would not normally see at home. Being within nature was refreshing to my spirit and allowed me to experience the natural flora and fauna of Ghana. Kakum is a beautiful park and I certainly recommend it as a top destination to visit in Ghana!

-Sakura Sealy

This week, we have been doing community health screenings in several villages across the Eastern Region of Ghana. Coming into these health screenings, I was most excited for the medical aspects, like taking blood and reading blood pressure. However, afterwards, I found that I really enjoyed the patient interaction that I got to have above all else.

One meaningful interaction that I had happened with a young teenage girl. I was taking her blood, and I took some time aside to introduce myself to her and talk about school and other little things like that. Then, she quietly asked, “can I call you my friend?” and asked to take a picture together. Her sweet and simple question warmed my heart and reminded me that taking a little bit of extra time to connect with patients is worth it. As we were leaving the village that day and getting on the bus, I heard her excitedly scream my name across the street and wave goodbye. Although I was sad to say goodbye, I am happy to know that the connection we made was meaningful, and I hope she takes that interaction and attaches it to a positive view towards health and nutrition.

These personal connections that I have made are far more meaningful to me than learning how to test blood glucose or cholesterol, and that seriously took me by surprise. These interactions are ones that I will take with me as I continue my journey to hopefully become a healthcare provider. I am so grateful to gain these new perspectives and learn lessons that will apply to me in my future career, all while helping local communities in Ghana.

- Victoria L

After dinner on Friday, Dr.Anderson offered us the opportunity to spend some extra time out to experience live music at Hutchland City, in Cape Coast. Some of our group decided to stay for this experience, and we are so glad we did. After a long week of Community Health Checks, it was an excellent way to unwind. We did not know what to expect as many Afrobeat's were being played throughout dinner. As we waited for the band to come out and play, we had time to dance and let loose.

Once the band started playing, the energy in the place totally changed. It felt as if even though many of us did not know each other, we were able to share a bond with one of the most beautiful things, music.The talented singers sang songs ranging from old-school American Songs like "My Girl" and reggae classics.

Most importantly, we waited till the end to experience some highlife songs being played, a genre native to Ghana. I grew up listening to some highlife music but experiencing it live was such a fantastic experience. Especially being able to experience it from the motherland made the experience so rich. I am so glad that I got to experience alongside my fantastic group!

-Tiolulope Popoola

This past week we visited several different cities and villages to perform community health screenings. We began our first screening in Kumasi, one of the bigger cities in Ghana, with a population of approximately 3.7 million people. Later in the week we traveled to the Eastern Region and stayed in Suhum while traveling to smaller surrounding villages. While observing during the health screenings, I noticed several health trends between the urban and rural settings we were working in. 

The first community screening we performed in Simatare had us seeing patients from a more urban background. Overall, we saw higher blood pressures, blood glucose, BMI's, and blood hemoglobin. We also saw a more even representation of age groups being screened at this clinic. While screening in the more rural villages of Santramor/Zohr, Nankese Amanfrom, Supresu, and Abisim Dawa we saw lower blood pressures, blood glucose, BMI's, and lower hemoglobins. We also saw an increase in elderly patients and less children in the rural villages, other than the local orphanage we screened while in Abisim Dawa.

It was very interesting to learn that a lot of these readings are a direct result of the persons diet and lifestyle. While working a screening in one of the more rural villages and talking to patients, I learned that farming was a very common occupation to have. This includes a lot of frequent, hard manual labor that can contribute to these patients lower blood pressures (more in normal range) than those in the urban areas where the Western worlds view of soft living can be more prevalent. These villages also have less access than urban areas to instant foods or fast foods that may be heavy in sodium or oils. A diet of mostly these types of food would negatively impact a persons blood pressure, glucose, and BMI if consumed regularly. It was very interesting to shadow Dr. Anderson and learn the ways in which people can make simple changes to their diet to improve their health readings. I loved being able to see firsthand the relationship between dietary nutrition and human health. 
 

- Gillian Vaughn

This past week has been incredibly insightful and allowed us to gain a better understanding of the health and nutrition statuses within different communities throughout Ghana. Further, while we were serving them by measuring their height and weight, BMI, blood pressure, hemoglobin, glucose, and cholesterol, the community members were also kind enough to teach us about their way of life as well. Whether it was through teaching us more of their language, or talking to us about their devotion to their culture, I was very grateful to learn from them. 

As soon as we entered each community, our group made sure to greet the chief and elders of the community before we began our screenings. This was extremely interesting to me, as we witnessed them pour libations to their ancestors, pray for the success of our screenings, and provide us with encouragement and thanks for our work. Each community was very grateful to have us serve them, and the feeling was truly mutual, as they served us in their own ways as well. They made us feel very welcomed everywhere we went!

One of my favorite parts of the screenings was greeting the community and putting some of my Twi into practice. While I received some laughs as I likely sounded silly pronouncing some words, the community members were very happy to teach me some of their language. Furthermore, I loved speaking to the children about school and the opportunities that an education provides. It was extremely heartwarming to hear about some of their devotion to attaining an education and their love for learning. Coming from the University of Georgia, I was able to explain to them the value of staying in school, as the doors that an education open are endless!

Sydney Rohm

This week, we have had the opportunity to provide community health screenings to a total of 6 communities. In total, we saw a little over 1,000 patients. I am so happy that we were able to educate these communities about their health and nutrition, so that they can make more informed decisions about what they are putting in their bodies. We gave them pamphlets with their reported heights, weights, BMI, blood pressure, hemaglobin, glucose, and cholestoral levels. These pamphlets also had the ideal ranges and what they can change in their lifestyle to get in these ranges. This has been an amazing experience, and my favorite part has been meeting different people in the communities and learning more about their lives. Everyone we saw was so friendly and patient. A lot of them taught me some words in twi, their local language, and reminded me about words I had already forgotten. Their kindness and smiles kept me going throughout each day. 

I especially loved meeting the children. Many of them were really good at English and asked me if we could be friends. In a few of the communities, the children stayed around us for hours, simply watching us work and talking to us. I bonded with many of them over the day of the week we were born on.  Everyone in Ghana knows the day of the week they were born on very well because in Ghanaian culture, children are not named until 7 days after they were born. In these 7 days, they are referred to as the day of the week they were born on. This is because they believe some babies have come to them as visitors, so they want to make sure the child is there to stay before giving them a special name, usually the name of one of their ancestors. 

I feel so fortunate that I have been able to help and learn from these amazing communities and that I have made friends in Africa!

-Jenna Schaffer

On Tuesday we had the opportunity to do screenings for the Santramor/ Zorh community. During our time there, we noticed that there was a high incidence of low hemoglobin, which might indicate anemia. Many of the patients that I was able to speak to mentioned that they either have never been to a doctor or only rarely went to a doctor when they were younger. Since there is limited access to medical resources, nutrition can be a fantastic aid in the prevention of certain conditions. During the time that they were able to speak to Dr. Anderson, one of the recommendations made was to consume more turkey berries. Prior to this, I had never seen or tasted turkey berries. Now I know, turkey berry is a fruit abundant in iron, which is a great option for those at risk of anemia and those with low hemoglobin. Raising awareness of the nutritional benefits of turkey berries can lead to increased incorporation of those berries in the community's diet and can help improve overall health. Additionally, in communities like this, it is convenient to have more cost-effective options to prevent conditions. For instance, this could be great food for helping to combat anemia within the community.

- Valentina Paez

While visiting the market in the beautiful city of Namkese I stumbled upon a new and delicious fruit that I had never encountered in the US. There was a number of selections such as large ripe mangos, apples, burro bananas, passion fruit, pineapple, and avocados.  

 As I browsed the local selection, I came across a small oddly shaped pink fruit with a shiny fleshy skin. I curiously inquired with the shop owner the name of the fruit and asked if she could assist me with choosing one that she thought was ripe and ready to eat. Of course she was happy to help,  and this is the day that I discovered the delectable Ghanaian fruit called the Rose Apple. 

The rose apple is a small pink or red tropical fruit that grows in Ghana but is native to Malaysia. The rose apple was delightfully juicy, light, refreshing, and slightly crunchy with a floral aftertaste. I was pleasantly surprised that in Ghana this fruit is used for its medicinal properties. This small fruit is packed with vitamin C, Vitamin A, potassium, and is great for heart health and boosting the immune system. Despite its name, it is not related to the rose or the apple family, instead it is more closely related to a guava fruit. 

One of the best parts of the cultural immersion in the study abroad program  has been experiencing new Ghanaian foods and enjoying the opportunity to expand my taste pallet. Ghana has some of the most flavorful fruits that I've ever eaten.  Therefore, I was happy to choose from the plentiful selection  of rose apples to supplement my daily snacks after a long day of serving at the community clinic. 

One of the best parts of the cultural immersion in the study abroad program  has been experiencing new Ghanaian foods and enjoying the opportunity to expand my taste pallet. 
 

written by : Inari 

Our group has spent this week conducting health screenings in various communities throughout Ghana's Eastern Region.  Every morning, we eat breakfast at 6 AM and arrive at the community at around 7:30 AM.  Upon arrival, we meet the local chief and elders and introduce ourselves and the purpose of our program.  After our initial meeting, we return to the van to set up our stations for an 8 AM start.

Each client goes through a series of stations, and all 14 of us rotate through the stations throughout the day.  In the first station, the greeting station, we welcome the clients and gather information regarding age and relevant medical history.  In the next station, we measure the client's height and weight and calculate their BMI.  Then, in the third station, we take the client’s blood pressure.  In the following station, we collect blood samples for any necessary hemoglobin, glucose, and cholesterol tests.  And in the fifth and final station, we enter the data and shadow our professor, Dr. Anderson, as he reviews each client’s results and provides nutrition counseling in Twi.  By the time we finish the screening at around 2 PM, we have seen approximately 100-200 clients.

This week of service-learning has taught me the importance of mentorship and collaboration within a team.  By teaching each other how to run each station and supporting busy stations whenever needed, I learned how to rely on my teammates as we worked towards a common goal.  As a non-FACS student, I relished the opportunity to witness how proper nutrition promotes good health and how nutrition counseling can be implemented as a community intervention.  And as a health promotion student at the College of Public Health, I enjoyed applying the principles of community engagement and collaboration in the field.

-- Aaron D.

            This week our group served multiple villages and set up community health screenings. In the screenings, we asked the patients age, made note of their gender, and asked if they had been fasting or if they had anything to eat that morning. The measurements we took included the patient’s height, weight, BMI, blood pressure, hemoglobin, and blood sugar. Blood sugar is often affected after we eat so that is why we asked if the patients ate anything that morning. Patients with high blood pressure or those with a previous diagnosis of hypertension or diabetes also had bloodwork completed to measure their cholesterol levels. After completing all the tests done by the students, the patient would then receive diet education by Dr. Anderson in their native language. Often times, Dr. Anderson had a student observing him and he would summarize his conversation with the patient to those observing him and allow us to ask him questions.

            My favorite rotation was shadowing Dr. Anderson and learning how he is able to communicate with those in rural villages and help keep them healthy with their limited resources. Of the six villages we visited, we noticed trends that the more rural villages had lower BMI’s and more malnutrition. Whereas the more urban villages had members with a higher BMI and more hypertension. This is due to urban areas having more access to food and being more commercialized. We are all learning so much every day and pushing ourselves beyond our limits to serve those in need. The work we are doing feels incredibly rewarding and I am treasuring each and every moment helping those rely on food as medicine and seizing every opportunity to share my passion for nutrition.

-Isabella Morin

When we went to Mole National Park, we went on a Safari, canoeing, and visited the Eco-Village. After our Safari in the morning, we headed over to the river. Once we were all in the canoes, our guide gave us the history of the settlements near the river and the use of the river and told us about the wildlife that lives near and around the water. As we traveled down the river, we could see birds, different animal tracks along the bank and hear the sounds of nature around us. Something interesting that I learned about our canoe guides entailed the position of the paddlers. The individual in the front accelerated the canoe while the paddler in the back, an elder, was in charge of steering. The role of steering is achieved as elders pass down knowledge to the younger generations. The idea of seniority was also seen in the community visited after the canoe ride. Each village member played a role taught by their parent, grandparent, or older sibling. This experience allowed me to understand more about Ghanaian culture and their respect for those that came before them.

Lillie Ward 

Ghana is home to numerous incredible markets, too many to remember all their names. However, my visit to the vibrant Medina Market in Accra left a lasting impression on me. This particular market offers valuable insights into the local community's culture, providing a wealth of knowledge. I would like to highlight the experiences I gained from the market, such as learning about nutrition, community dynamics, as well as the challenges related to cleanliness and the presence of mosquitoes around the food.

Whenever I have the opportunity to visit a different country, my first activity of choice is exploring the local markets. Markets have a unique way of showcasing the culture and community of a place, offering a glimpse into their way of life. It's always fascinating to discover an array of unfamiliar and delicious foods.

Medina Market is a true treasure trove of diverse food and an authentic Ghanaian experience. The wide variety of food options exemplifies the typical Ghanaian diet. For instance, I encountered dried fish, pig feet, dragon fruits, mangoes, herbs, and vegetables I had never seen before. The sheer range of offerings surprised and amazed me. However, I was particularly taken aback by the presence of enormous live snails. I couldn't muster the courage to try them, but they certainly demonstrated the nutritional sources found in the market and reflected the preferences of the local population.

Despite the presence of fruits, the most common food items at the market were dried salted fish, snails, pig feet, yam, and cacao. The variety of vegetables was limited, which could potentially contribute to malnutrition and deficiencies in Ghana.

In addition to the Ghanaian culinary delights, I was truly inspired by the strength and resilience of the women at the market. These remarkable women carry heavy loads on their heads while also tending to their babies. They embody the strength and determination of Ghanaian women, leaving me feeling inspired. Their dedication to providing for others created a sense of connection to the culture, as I am always eager to contribute and assist in any way I can.

Unfortunately, I noticed some concerns during my time at the market. The abundance of mosquitoes around the food and the overall hygiene raised worries for me. Mosquitoes can transmit diseases, making it crucial to prioritize proper sanitization practices. As a bustling market where people come for better prices, I fear that inadequate hygiene measures could potentially lead to illness. It is important to acknowledge the need for additional efforts to maintain hygiene, although this may be challenging. I observed that some vendors use herbs and smoke to deter flies, but this method might inadvertently contaminate the food.

Despite these challenges, the Madina Market exemplifies how a strong sense of community contributes to the local economy. By supporting local farmers who sell their products here, Ghana's economy can thrive instead of relying solely on imported goods. The interactions between people are crucial for fostering a thriving community. This sense of community extended not only among the vendors but also within our program as buyers. We made sure to stick together and learned the value of unity.

In conclusion, my experience at the Madina Market deepened my understanding of Ghana's nutrition, community dynamics, and culture. It broadened my knowledge of the Ghanaian community and provided me with a more comprehensive perspective on how to assist people in my field with diverse cultural backgrounds. While there were certainly challenges, it is essential to focus on the cultural richness that markets like Madina offer. If you ever have the opportunity to study abroad or explore Ghana, I highly recommend visiting the Madina Market. It provides an authentic Ghanaian experience and allows you to witness both the everyday life of Ghanaians and the challenges they face.

-Valentina Paez

We roadtripped from Accra to Mole National Park this week! We headed out early in the morning for their driving safari. Before even entering the main section of the park, we had already seen warthogs, antelope, and elephants crossing the road. We split into groups and rode in safari trucks to head on the safari. Our car had seats on top of the roof for a better view! The safari lasted for two hours and followed a loop through the park. We spotted a group of elephants bathing in a small lake and followed them on foot into the park. We were able to take pictures of them for around twenty minutes before we headed off again. It was a wonderful experience and we saw a ton of different animals while in Mole. We even had baboons come up to our hotel rooms and antelope in the front yard!    

   - Gillian Vaughn 

The other day, we all loaded the bus and headed to the University of Ghana to see the campus. It was very fascinating to see how similar it was to UGA. We all live in dorms, go to dining halls, participate in research on campus, and so much more. Their microbiology lab also reminded me of our labs. It was amazing to see that so many Ghanaian kids are getting a college education and enjoy college. 

We then heard from Dr. Kodjo Senah, who informed us all about different issues in Ghana. For example, we learned that many people in rural areas are forced to drink polluted water because it is their only water source. This pollution is caused by other Ghanaians mining for gold, but it is giving others all sorts of old diseases.

The last topic we discussed has really stuck with me. We learned that Africa has so many raw materials that could make them the richest and most powerful place in the world. However, because they don’t have the technology or education to do things with these materials, they sell them to other countries for cheap prices. These countries then sell these goods in Africa for a way greater price. It is so upsetting to hear and see first hand as Africa is constantly taken advantage of. I feel so fortunate that I have been able to not just hear about these issues, but see them first hand to truly grasp the problems at hand. 

-Jenna Schaffer

Upon landing in Ghana, I was hit with a little bit of culture shock in most regards. I was faced with new people, places, sounds, smells, and ... food! I had never tried Ghanaian or any African food before, so I was a little bit intimidated, but excited to try this new experience that comes with travelling to a new country. For our first meal, we ate at a restaurant called "The Landing" and I ordered a dish called Jollof rice with chicken and boiled yams, which is a staple dish in Ghana. We were given water first and I drank it all quickly because I was dehydrated from a long day of travelling, but I quickly regretted this once I tried the food. Once I took my first bite, I was hit with an overwhelming amount of heat and spice. I've never had a love for spicy foods, and it was evident when I told everyone within a 10-foot-radius around me how my mouth was burning as I flagged down a waitor to ask for more water.

After this experience, it was evident that I was going to have to change something if I wanted to survive these six weeks in Ghana. I've decided that I need to build up my spice tolerance by starting with less spicy foods and working my way up, and so far it's been going great. I've tried a variety of dishes with varying levels of spice, from rice balls in peanut soup, to chicken skewers and stew, to Ghanaian pancakes. I've enjoyed this culinary journey that I am experiencing as I travel throughout Ghana, and I can't wait for the foods I am going to try next!

-Victoria L.

During the program we had the honor of hearing a lecture by Dr. Kodjo Senah, at the University of Ghana before visiting the Northern region of the country. It  was very impactful and informative. It really helped to put a lot of the challenges the people of Ghana are facing regarding the infrastructure of the land and the communities into perspective. There is conflict between the gold miners who are polluting the waters and the government who recognizes a bigger problem that is being created as a result of these illegal activities. After participating in the lecture with Dr. Senah, we gained much clarity regarding the underdeveloped state of the North region Of Ghana.   I gained a clear understanding of how the lack of access to clean water is currently affecting the people who originate in this region, by spreading preventable diseases. This takes a toll on the entire village when people fall ill or die while trying to maintain their way of life by using the natural resources that have previously been accessible to them for many years until the land and water became polluted. In the eco village we visited,  I noticed that the people lived very simple lives which also included fetching water from a nearby lake or the Mole River. The water used for farming, drinking, and cooking was murky and most likely full of bacterial and parasitic organisms.  This is unfortunate because the citizens there are a  loving and close knit village of about 400 people; about the size of a suburban high school in the US. Due to thier simple lifestyle as farmers and lack of access to running water, It is unlikely that they will find the means to purchase enough clean water to provide for the needs of each family in the village if their water sources continue to be contaminated. 
 

-Inari 

Despite the many flight delays and cancelations, the UGA 2023 Ghana Service Learning Cohort arrived safely! The first excursion on the itinerary was a visit to the Kasapreko Beverage Factory in Accra! We were given a tour from start to finish of how bottles of Kasepreko beverages are produced. Kasapreko went above and beyond, showing the process used to make their products. While on this tour, we learned that all the products needed to produce a Kasepreko beverage successfully are produced in-house. To my surprise, this included the Carbon Dioxide used in their carbonated drinks and the beverage bottles' materials! We also learned that they provide Carbon Dioxide to Coca-Cola Factories in Ghana. This was indeed a one-of-a-kind experience that we were very fortunate to experience!

-Tiolulope Popoola

Our program visited the medina marketplace in Accra and was able to experience a rich economic culture that supports small businesses and independent vendors of the city. Stretched across rows of stalls and shop inlets, vendors offered a variety of goods to select from. The culture of negotiating or bargaining with these vendors helps facilitate customer relations and deals based on an interactive process. Our group was led through the marketplace by Professor Matilda from the University of Ghana who teaches in the department of nutrition and food science. The marketplace greeted us with high activity and friendly people. Each stall displayed local foods and products that you may see at the grocery store, but often offered at a lower price due to the direct sourcing of the products from those who personally curated, raised, or grew them. This includes food products such as meats, vegetables, and other miscellaneous food categories in addition to household items or handcrafted wares. The goal of our visit was to consider the nutritional variety local vendors have to offer as this directly relates to the food that is available for consumption. We were guided to assess variation in food groups as well as the methods the foods were kept and displayed. Overall my lasting impression of the experience was the excitement. This stemmed from my exposure to new foods and products that hold cultural importance/value as well as being able to actively participate in this economic culture. Hands on learning fostered a sense of understanding that was able to develop through the method of experience

- Sakura Sealy

After a morning of enjoying the safari at Mole National Park, we were fortunate to get a close look at the Eco Village nearby. This was a very impactful experience as I was able to interact one on one with the children of the village. While others walked around to observe the architecture of the buildings, I stayed back to talk with the children. They were the kindest children I have ever met as they all swarmed me with smiles on their faces. They grabbed my hands and looked into my eyes with hope. This was a very touching experience as I could see how happy they were with life even in their living conditions. I played patty-cake with some of them and held and spun the small ones around in circles. They asked me to take pictures with them so that I will never forget them. This day made me feel very special and impactful on their lives. As we departed from the village, they followed and stood near our bus waving goodbye. 

Gabbi Haskins

Today we visited the Larabanga Mosque, founded by an Islamic trader named Ayuba.  The mosque was meticulously crafted using mud and sticks.  The black sticks extending out of the mosque's exterior signify the level to which Ayubaa built each layer.  The mosque serves as a place of worship for Muslim individuals in or around the Larabanga village.  The small nature of the doors is a physical feature of the mosque that works to instill tradition.  It is thought that bowing down to enter the mosque is symbolic of bowing down to one's elders to show respect.  The practices are vital in this community, causing reform to face much opposition.

Education was not implemented until 1992 when a peace corp volunteer worked with local chiefs to develop an education system.  Education was mentioned by the guides as the backbone of development but was opposed due to the founder believing that education was for missionaries, which discouraged his religion and promoted Christianity.  As schools grow, it was mentioned that around one to two hundred students might occupy one classroom, which can be very challenging to be effective.

Aside from the mosque, something to be noted is the large tree on the left side.  This tree embodies the founder's spirit as soon after his burial, the tree sprouted where his body was laid to rest.  This large giving tree serves the community by offering medicinal remedies and works to keep the community together.  A soup is prepared with the tree leaves and shared throughout the village to ensure the Ayubas spirit lives on through his disciples.  This experience offered perspective on how culture can be remembered and continued in addition to progressing into a more modern time. 

Allison Zador

After a relaxing canoe ride along the Mole river, the community members were gracious enough to give our group a tutorial on how they make their very own shea butter. They showed us the shea butter making process from start to finish, and they even made some for us to take home! It was incredibly fascinating to see the shea butter in its most natural form, and to see them make it with tools that they created themselves! They also told us about the different ways in which shea butter is used. Some of these uses include dry hair repair, moisturizing, and even wound healing. After this process was shown to us, our group got to spend time getting to know some of the children in the community. They truly warmed all of our hearts with their sweetness and positivity. Their smiles are extremely infectious and we loved spending time with them! Their community truly depicts how hard work, family values, and a positive attitude can create a beautiful and fulfilling life.

Sydney Rohm

The Ghana Service Learning Program through the University of Georgia is something my heart has been set on since 2018. My situation and story of getting here looks a lot different than my peers on this program and I want to take this time to express my gratitude to those who made this experience possible. I have already graduated from the University of Georgia with my bachelor’s degree in dietetics and master’s degree in community nutrition, I have completed my dietetic internship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and have become a registered dietitian.

The original plan was for me to attend this program in 2020, while I was still an undergraduate student, but the circumstances of the world changed that opportunity. It was by an email that I sent to Dr. Anderson in early April, asking if he had any availability on the program this year and if he would be willing to have me come, that has brought me to where I am today. It is by the grace of the University of Georgia that I am able to fulfill a desire that has been on my heart for the past five years.

My group and I are staying in tight quarters, building relationships, and deepening community among each other. It has been a beautiful process watching us start as 14 strangers to now leaning on each other and being each other’s support system during this program. I am truly beside myself that I get to experience this program and I will remind myself as the program goes on and when things get hard or I get tired, how mountains were moved to get me to this place, with these people, at this exact time. I will forever be indebted to the University of Georgia for all that this institution has done for me to allow me to see my dreams to fruition, even if my time with this university has already past.

From the first afternoon in Ghana until the end of this trip, I will be in awe of this country and the beauty it has stored in its most pure and rawest form. Without even trying, the people are helpful, beautiful, and live life simply.

-Isabella Morin

On our first Sunday after arriving to Accra, we dressed in our “Sunday best” and attended a service at Mampong Circuit’s Methodist Church.  The service, which lasted approximately 3 hours, was an enjoyable experience unique to any of the church services I’ve attended in the U.S. 

The service was spoken in about 10% English and 90% Twi.  It consisted of a mixture of Scripture readings, hymns, offerings, and prayers.  Because it was Father’s Day, the sermon included an interview of two local fathers and their wisdom on fatherhood.  As a musician, I greatly enjoyed the singing portions of the service.  The music was a combination of traditional Wesleyan hymns and upbeat Ghanaian songs.  Hearing the congregation joyfully sing as a unified chorus to the lively accompaniment of an organ, drum set, bass, tambourine, and claves was an uplifting experience. 

During the offerings, the congregation sang and danced at the center of the church as they gave their donations.  Because everyone knew the lyrics by heart, the rhythm and energy of the music was infectious.  At the invitation of one of the members, we joined the dance circle and even rang a bell to the music!  As a percussionist who studied and played Afro-Latin instruments, I couldn’t help but smile as we danced to the lively beat.  It was living proof of how music and dance unites people across cultures.

At the end of the service, our professor and program director, Dr. Anderson, introduced us to the congregation and explained the community work we would be doing in our program.  After he finished, we joined him at the front of the church and individually introduced ourselves in Twi.  While it was definitely a struggle, I’m glad we pushed ourselves outside our comfort zones to connect with the congregation in their local language.  The warm smiles and waves we were greeted with absolutely brightened our day.

Aaron D.

We arrived at mole national park late after a long 13-hour journey passing through Ghana's lush countryside, seeing many small villages, and unbelievably large ant hills, and catching up on some sleep. Once parked we gathered our bags to find a troop of baboons resting outside our hotel rooms, after sneaking past them and a chilling amount of large flying insects we were relieved to set into a cool room with three twin beds. After a somewhat awkward dinner and a cold shower, I had the best sleep yet during this program. early the next morning we set out for a safari, where we stole a glimpse of a small group of elephants crossing the road ahead of us. This was just a taste of what awaited us in the open-top vehicles we split the group of 14 into. The 2-hour adventure was filled with warthogs. antelopes, thick exotic plants, mammals our guide referred to as squirrels but looked starkly different from what I know the word to mean, and varying bird sounds and their accompanying array of colors. Lastly after passing over rocks streams and other African terrain. all of us holding on as tightly as possible so as to not fall out following every twist turn and bump we encountered, we were led out of the lofted viewing to quietly trek in search of elephants. We came to a very dry-looking used-to-be water passage with small rocks lending passage to the other side. Being impatient and impulsive like I am, I stepped to the side of these safe rocks to get across the area faster. I immediately fell into surprisingly soft and wet mud that went all the way up my conveniently waterproof hiking boots. Laughter among the group and relief in me settled as I worked my way out of the muck. Only a few moments later a large waterhole appeared to us, and over the hill 5 elephants bathed in it. They were darker, more solid, and bigger than I imagined. Seeing one in captivity was no comparison to seeing a family of them out in the wild. We followed them into an open space where they stopped and formed what seemed to e a defensive position, non of their backs turned to any human, with Young in the center. What was awe of the creatures soon turned into guilt, they were scared of us. After snapping a quick picture, some many more than others, the group decide to continue the safari. I was glad to give them back their peace upon leaving them but marveled at the fact we got to see them at all. I asked the tour guide how the park has changed since we had left, and he told me the animals were more defensive, and the lions are gone. Humans have taught these animals to be afraid and have drawn some away altogether. The 4000 square kilometers of the park was not as protected and maintained as I thought it would have been. This gave me a larger appreciation for the US National Park Service, as any park I have been to has given hope for the preservation of the landscape they chose to protect. 

After a small snack and change of clothes, we went to an advertised "eco-village". A bus and a canoe ride later we arrived at a small shacked community filled with children, women, roaming goats, and stray dogs. The people of this community based their livelihood on the production and sale of shea butter. we were welcomed into the community for a tour to learn about the long process to make shea butter, then had the opportunity to buy some for ourselves. Each container was made from a hollowed gourd and spooned and filled carefully from a large reserve of butter. Continuing our tour, we learned about the way of herbal medicine the tribe utilized and parts of their day-to-day life. Our visit to Mole concluded with the first book discussion of the program. All of us dived deep into the significance heritage has on the Ghanaian people and what it means for ourselves. After the enriching conversation, everyone was ready for a good night's rest to tackle the next day of adventure. -Bella

It feels like I've been anticipating this opportunity  for years and it's only been a few months that I've been in the program. This is definitely the earliest that I've begun  preparing for an international Study Program . I have never been a big planner. I like to come up with ideas spontaneously and then do the research to take action. What I like most about this program is that I was able to gain a lot of the research through the orientation process. Also, I feel very prepared for what's to come. Although I have no idea what that is.

My initial expectations of the program where to gain experience in international outreach. As a graduate student it is my intention to gain a vast variety of real world experience with serving disenfranchised communities and those who have limited access to basic resources. It is my hope that the work we do in ghana has an impact by informing the local community of the importance of maintaining a highly nutritional diet and the correlation between diet and many common diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. I most look forward to working at the Childrens hospital because these are the most  vulnerable within the population. 

I also look forward to immersion in the Ghanaian culture and customs  of the country. Throughout my research of the culture I have come to realize that as an African American(AA)  person disconnected from my native ancestors, our community still holds many of the customs and cultural norms that are practiced in Africa. One similarity is , Our natural perpencity to disregard time in lieu of the western norms of strict scheduling and ridgid expectations around time. Although, these are cultural norms in the Ghanaian society as well as within many AA families, we simply didn't know where these habits stemmed from or why they came so naturally. I'm Ghana this is a cultural norm called "being on Ghana time".

I look forward to embracing the ways of old and bringing some of the Ghanaian customs and traditions back to share with my own family. 

This has been a very thought-provoking process for me. To be going to Africa for the first time to participate in Health screenings in local villages is like a dream come true. I currently dedicate my time to a lot of community service agencies in my local community. I feel opportunity to have this experience in Ghana will be both challenging in some ways but very rewarding. There has been so many boxes to check to get to this point. We are finally in June, I have my visa, my shots, malaria pills, scrubs, and a heart full of excitement and anticipation. I have so much gratitude for the guidance of Dr. Anderson in this new endeavor.

Medaase papaapa! Which means Thank you very much!