Reuniting with Ghana

For anyone wondering, yes you can make it to Ghana without a visa in advance, but no I don't recommend it. I checked in fine in Grand Rapids, and didn't run into problems getting on my Delta flight to Atlanta, but it was there that I had my worries. You see, navigating your way through the airport in Ghana without a visa is simply a matter of cost, but getting aboard a flight to the country without the respective visa bares the risk of not even getting on board.

Mom and Dad seeing me off at the airport after a busy day of errands and packing. Love you!

The Delta reps called all non-Ghanaian passport holders up front to check visas and, when asked what my final destination was, I informed them it was Liberia, which is technically true and is a country for which I hold a residency permit, but I dodged a bullet when they didn't ask how soon I'd be continuing on. There was no more trouble boarding the plane, although I didn't breath easy until the wheels left the tarmac.

11 hours later we touched down in Accra where I unexpectedly and delightfully found a 'Visas on Arrival' desk, behind which sat two immigration officers who ask very few questions, accepted the standard $150 fee (NOT a bribe), and after waiting about 30 minutes, directed me onward, even allowing me to bypass the rest of the immigration desks.

Pearl Budu, a longtime friend from Calvin, Calvin Phonathon, Semester in Ghana, and elsewhere picked me up from the airport and we made our way to the University of Ghana, for a quick drive through and a stop at the Basement Restaurant, (where we enjoyed Jollof Rice and Star Beer, staples of any time spend in the country) before heading on to the Budu residence.

While in Ghana I am staying at Professor David and Susan Hoekema, who normally live in Grand Haven, MI and are currently leading a group of 16 or so Calvin students on their semester in Ghana. Pearl, myself and the Hoekema's had fun comparing the differences between the Fall '07 and '10 semesters. As it happens, the current group may be described as more 'reserved' although perhaps more involved in cultural events. The '07 group may have been a bit more 'independent' and 'exploratory'. Oh, and to my '07 folks they've got it cushy: WIFI and wireless printer in the Calvin room, cellphones provided for everyone, and they get $90/week on food over our $40(?).

This morning I was picked up by Renita and we headed over to the Hopeline Institute office to meet with staffmembers Fanny and Juliette, and peer mentoring program participants Amma, Ravina and Prosper. Fanny and Juliette explained Hopeline's structure and how they operate their peer mentoring program; one LEAD would like to add to its mentoring program. Amma, Ravina and Prosper shared their experiences too. What most impressed me were some of the unique and unexpected benefits they were getting from their mentoring relationships. I'll go into more of that on another blog post, devoted to the new direction of LEAD's mentoring program. I shared some resources, and ran through LEAD's mentoring program handbook, explaining the progress we have made in Liberia over the last year.

Renita and Fanny, Director of the Hopeline Institute.

Renita and I stopped by a few [impressive!] businesses before heading back to her place; furniture maker and a welder (both do MUCH more that those descriptions give them credit for) before heading to her place. I'll get to meet her two kids Hannah and Noah -who I've heard about so many times, but never met - once Renita gets back from picking them up from school. Dinner here tonight, then hanging out with Pearl and Amma tonight. Bywell bar anyone?

Tomorrow we go back to Hopeline to meet up for lunch before continuing on to visit a few Village Savings Loans groups (VSLs) made of groups of 25 or so people each. It an interesting program, one that offers a savings option for Ghanaians who can't access banks, but desperately need that service. In Liberia, people actually pay to save their 'daily Susu', giving a small amount for 30 days, and then getting 29 days worth back at the end of the month. With these VSLs, each member saves a certain amount each week and then loans are given to clients for periods of three months. There are also conditions that allow individuals to access funds in cases of emergency. Then, at the end of nine months the money and interest is divided among everyone. Very cool. See http://reedsinthewind.blogspot.com/ for a much better explanation.

Saturday I hop on an Ethiopian Airways (prop plane) flight from Accra over to Monrovia's local Spriggs Airfield. Pro: saving some money, and an hour drive out to the Robertsfield International Airfield. Con: its quite likely I'll loose some luggage.

Its great to be back in West Africa! I already feel inspired by the work being done, and I can't wait to get back into it. Monrovia friends: see you soon!