WORKING TRIP TO GHANA - JUNE 2010

Open publication - Free publishing

IS IT WRONG TO BE SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE?

As a Ghanaian - born & educated in Ghana, I have experienced poverty. I even remember the "not so fashionable Rawlings' chain". However, nothing prepared me for what I recently witnessed whilst working in Gumu in Northern Ghana. I have set up a page to appeal for donations on behalf of this warm loving community and hope that you can help.

YELLOW SHEA & KOMBO BUTTER

BUY YOUR KOMBO BUTTER HERE

NO REST FOR THE WICKED

It has been hard work trying to get things done under the intense Ghanaian sun. I was hoping to be reporting from the pool side sipping a chilled glass of Amarula but alas, it is almost midnight in Accra, I am wearing socks as the 'quitoes make fun of my sunripe ankles and I have a cold cup of strong tea to keep be hydrated.
My stay in Ghana is almost over and it has been work, work and keep working. I now need a holiday!!!
Anyway, the purpose of this trip has been 90% fulfilled - who knows, I might return in time to work on the remaining 10% before the 7 year old road works in Accra are completed!!!

The work schedule started with the inauguration of OhanaPassion.org a day after my arrival. I know I look terrified in the photo - I was tired and the microphone was also playing up.

Soon after the inauguration, I traveled North where I was based for 5 working days working at Gumu.

I had to inspect a soap mould soon after my arrival. At least I know it is from recycled metal - what a bonus.

I worked with the lovely ladies and men including Madam Samata Iddi who was sooooo funny and very very hardworking. Even though there was the language barrier {I don't speak Dagbani and most of the women do not speak English nor my local dialect, Twi}, we had 1 thing in common which was to educate ourselves through empowerment.

They were pleased to learn that I had managed to pay their annual Health Insurance fees.

I saw myself clad in this beautiful blue stripped fabric with gold thread after the inauguration of the co-op on Friday 11th June 2010. This was a lovely unexpected gift from the co-op.

I was invited to another village after the inauguration to visit another co-op. We hope to also adopt this co-op which is currently made up of 66 women.

I had planned on visiting cocoa farmers but I soon realised that I was few weeks late as they had harvested the crops. I managed to sneak onto a farm though on Wednesday on my return from Kumasi - my birthplace. Sorry for the blurred image, the battery was nearing death and we were also scarred of snakes that lurk beneath the cocoa trees.

Today was full of meetings so I decided to start the day harvesting some moringa seeds

ROCK YOUR 'FRO

YAY - it is competition time.

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