The Technical Details

Work

So far this is still ‘orientation’ time, so there isn’t really much to tell, although to give you an idea of what I will be doing it is mostly liaison and forming appropriate relationships. Mostly with the government. I deal with the Health Service here, ensuring the funding that we have allocated is being used, and used appropriately. So my role is not hands on with individuals (I have no insurance for this), it is more technical and overseeing. It is interesting getting an insight into the UN, and also the government.

I have met the health directors of the regions we work in (Northern Region, Upper West Region and Upper East Region) and also some people from the District Assembly. We have talked about preparedness for the forthcoming floods, placement of donated toilets, water sanitation plants, and also attended the training funded by us to help provide best practice care on malnutrition treatment. There are plenty of projects going on, and we are always working towards improving child health. This can spill over into maternal health too, however it is not the primary target.

Ghana is considered a middle-income country now, and has discovered oil, floating more money into the economy (the oil money was quickly spent, I’m not sure where). So when you think of Ghana don’t think of the pictures you see of starving people in Somalia, or sponsor child pictures, it’s a thriving place with many rich people, and all the trappings you get at home (except cheese!), safe, friendly and the roads are amazing! It’s not fair to lump all of Africa in together as ‘poor’, in comparison to India it is a whole another world, yet of course there are pockets of poverty, inequality and poorly maintained infrastructure.

I work in an air-conditioned office, with Landcruiser transport everywhere and well educated staff who speak English and are very healthy. Most of the staff are Ghanaians, I have enjoyed the period of getting to know everyone, having a chat and finding out more about everyone. There is a mixture of Christians and Muslims here, representing the population I guess, it was interesting arriving during Ramadan and celebrating Eid with work colleagues (the breaking of the fast).

Work Colleagues - at the photography course

On our way to Eid at our colleagues's house

Work.... Yes, we are in a bar

Home

We have 2 security guards 24 hours at our place - night shift and day shift. Mohammed and Al-Hussan. They are super-friendly and help us with learning Dagbani (the local language). This is a UN requirement, but it has been nice to have such a close relationship with some local people, they are like family now. House is massive, biggest (apart form Sunhill Drive) that I’ve ever lived in. Bathrooms are just like home, and it has air-conditioning etc. Can’t complain really - much to my initial disappointment we have also 2 cleaners and a gardener - not really living a true Ghanaian lifestyle, however it is justified by employing local people and giving back to the economy.

Team Tamale with our friend Emelia who coordinated our orientation into Ghana

The Aussie house. Mohammed is our security guard

Mads and our neighbours - the walk to the main road everyday for work

So life is peachy here, growing some tomatoes, cabbages, lettuce, basil in the backyard and have created a recycling system for ourselves seeing as the rubbish (plastic and all included) is just burnt, we want to try to reduce our waste as much as possible. Will update with photos when we have done something creative!