Day 30: Est. 1957

AD 1957: Freedom and Justice

This morning at Independence Square!

55 years ago today, Ghana became the first African country (below the Saharan desert!) to gain independence from the British.











Every year, thousands of Ghanaians flock to Independence Square to enjoy the parade, the music, speeches from the President and a flyover from the Air Force. Random musicians and hawkers-a-plenty, it really was a brilliant day and a fitting end to an incredible month.







Got to run, got a flight to catch! But if you need me over the next few days, I'll be sleeping off my exhaustion and dreaming of Ghana.

Day 29: What's your sign?

There are a collection of symbols known as Adrinka which were created by the Akan tribe of Ghana. The symbols are often painted on pottery, sewn into cloth or used in advertising and each symbol has a different meaning.


My favourite of the many symbols is Gye Nyame (the others are also pretty cool, just search for "Adrinka symbols" on Google).

Gye Nyame means "Except God", showing that the wearer of the symbol fears nothing and noone "except God".

Even the plastic chairs!

It's not so much for religious reasons that I love the symbol so much. I simply admire the way that people embrace the symbol- It's everywhere. Painted on the side of houses, incorporated into the logo of a business' logo, it's even available as nail art!

So I guess it simply serves as a gentle reminder of the faith of the Christian folk here in Ghana.

Dear Diary... (day 28)

No more clichés, you know what I’m thinking.

I come back to this every week and I always feel the same- I can’t wait to get home but I don’t want to leave! But it’s worse now that I’ve finished my placement as it has really put things into perspective- I’ve actually completed the task that brought me to Ghana after so many years. What I hadn’t anticipated, however, was just how overwhelming this experience would be and how what I’ve seen and learnt extends way past my work at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. I didn’t expect that I’d get on with my cousins half as much as I have, nor did I expect to fully embrace skipping gutters or lights out (don’t know how I’ll live without it…) but 28 days later, I can’t imagine what it’s gonna be like when I get back to SE5.

For now, if you need me, I’ll be enjoying my last few days in the sun.

Day 27: M-Z

Finally here! Letters M-Z.

M is for Milo, a tasty chocolate drink that is actually available in the UK (if you look really hard). Special mention to my other new favourite brands- PEAK, Ideal and, of course, FAN MILK!

N is for Nicole O-ka-ni-sayn? (see day 9)

O is for Old MacDonald. You know, the one who owns the farm? As in, there are animals roaming around EVERYWHERE! Last week, five cows were casually crossing the road (I wish I had a photo) and yesterday a goat walked into our compound. We have Humble, the dog, who you’ve already met as well as a few chickens, a cockrel and a lizard who comes to visit every now and again…

P is for Plantain, a savoury banana which is cut into thick wedges before being boiled, baked or fried! Plantain can be cut into very thin slices and lightly salted to make plantain crisps (also available in the UK) or cut into small chunks and seasoned to make kelewele. Yum.

Q is for Quiz Night (yes, we're that cool). Our favourite game= Ludo! 

R is for RHC (Reproductive Health Centre) and all my other new friends at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. I’ll miss you!

S is for Sugar Cane. Sugar cane is magical stuff which grows in a similar way to bamboo shoots. The canes are used to make sugar as we know it more commonly in 1kg bags but the natural occurring sticks can be cut into chunks and chewed. Warning: only suitable for those with super sweet teeth!

T is for tro tro. Still scarred.

U is for Umbrellas. The rain here is always torrential and often leads to a few leaky gutters (not pleasant!) but the storm is usually over in half an hour and the sun returns soon after.

V is for Vendors. And by vendors I mean Hawkers. How I shall miss them. (see day 10)

W is for Wahala! For more lingo, see day 16!

X is for Xylophone. Oh what? I couldn’t think of anything!

Y is for “yele”, the Ga word for Yam. African yam is not to be confused with what Americans call “yams” as they’re referring to sweet potatoes (ahem, Alice!). African yams look a bit like tree stumps from the outside and their completely white inside, very starchy and not sweet at all. Actually, they’re slightly bitter. However, when boiled to perfection, yam is DELICIOUS with stew. Better still are fried yam chips. I’m addicted.

And finally,

Z is for Zongo Junction, a crazy part of town with lots of bars and restaurants and loud, crazy, always-wide-awake people. 

My kind of crowd.

Day 26: All good things...

Today was my last day shadowing the doctors and nurses at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra.

Action shot taken from the car!

This week, I was in the Cardiothoracic Centre shadowing the amazing Dr Nii (a shy but super talented House Officer who treated me a lot like Danny (see day 19)!) whilst also finding time to pop into theatre to watch the magical Dr Sereboe at work (messy stuff, don't worry, I won't give you the details...). The CTC is well funded so unlike the Obs & Gynae wards there's a lot less improvisation!

Admittedly, I didn't understand what was happening in every case (for the complications in some patients were extensive to say the least and the medical terms beyond my understanding) but I certainly picked up on a lot of things, like how to carry out chest exams (AS Level Biology suddenly became incredibly useful) and how to take blood (I'm a total pro now! Kind of).

With Nurse Carolyn

Yet again, I've been overwhelmed by the spirit, valour and dedication of the doctors and nurses of the CTC team. I'm sad to leave all the people I've met but truly grateful for their hospitality and support over the last week. 

In fact, I'm thankful for all the people who have made this placement so wonderful- To those who helped me find the way to meet the new staff of each department, to the ones who shared their biscuits with me when I'd forgotten my own, the professionals who exercised extreme patience as I struggled to tear bits of plaster and the nurses who simply laughed as I learnt how to fill a syringe. To the wonderful individuals who have made the last three weeks unforgettable- thank you.

Day 25: G-L

Humble the dog. He hates me.

Right, time to pick up where I left off a few days ago.


Today, G-L.



G is for Gutter Skipping. Still got it. (See day 18).

H is for Humble, our friendly guard dog... Look how cute he is with his razor sharp teeth and glowing eyes and hairs standing on end...

I is for Independence Day which will be the subject of my last blog post in Ghana (next Tuesday!!)

Learning to drive already!

J is for Junior, my adorable little cousin, Cosmo Tetteh Ashley III. He's so cute, I mean looooook...







K is for Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the national hospital where I've spent the last few weeks shadowing some inspiring people (see days 8, 11 and 19). Last day tomorrow :(

and finally,

L is for Lagoon. It's used as a dumping ground for waste and if your taxi driver is kind enough, he'll roll up the windows as you drive by. Unfortunately, this photo was taken from my seat in a trotro.

The driver didn't even blink.