Akwaba! My Ghanaian journey ended
nearly two months ago. While some memories are fading and the only Twi word I
can truly remember is “Akwaba,” meaning welcome, other memories made such a
lasting imprint on my life that I feel as though I just left. Though my
academic goals for this trip involved sustainability and environmental issues
in Ghana, the range of insight that was gained from my experience reached far
beyond what I had imagined. Specifically helping in my project research, our
first few days in Ghana were spent in Accra where we attended several lectures
by Ghanaian professors. Through these lectures, I gained a better understanding
of overall issues occurring throughout Ghana. However, it was not until I left
the lectures, sat my notebook down, and experienced the culture and environment
in Ghana that I understood and was truly impacted by the country.
Throughout the trip, I visited several cites, including Acrra, Kumasi, and Cape Coast. In addition, I was given the honor to get to know the incredible people of Bompata, a small village near Kumasi, for several days. In Accra, I experienced the diverse range of Ghanaians living in the city, attended lectures, visited the University of Ghana, improved my bartering skills, and spent a night salsa dancing and listening to reggae bands. In Kumasi, I walked through one of the largest open air markets in Africa (which was the most terrifying thing ever) and learned about the Akan Kingdom. In Cape Coast, I visited two of the largest slave forts in Africa, Elmina Castle and Cape Coast Castle, walked on a canopy through Kakum National Park, and I can officially say that I have touched both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. In Bompata, I spent time at the village’s school, went to the church service, hiked through the community farm, and got to know some of the most kind people I have ever met. Finally, at the end of the trip, I saw a live African drumming and dance performance where I was pulled onto the stage to dance (Best.Night.Ever). All the while, I got to know our amazing tour guide and bus driver, bonded with an incredible group, ate crazy awesome food, and had some of the most memorable experiences of my life.
Now, on to a brief overview of sustainability issues in Ghana! Ghana is one of Africa’s most developed countries. Comparatively, the country has a high GDP, low infant mortality rates, high literacy rates, along with other impressive development indicators. Corresponding with the recent growth of Ghana’s economy, the country has experienced rapid urbanization. Unfortunately, infrastructure and sanitation systems have not improved with the increased number of people in cities. The lack of sanitation systems has made Ghana one of the most unsanitary countries in Africa. Though these facts were easy to find prior to my trip, I was not able to understand the severity of the issue until I had to jump over giant open sewers in order to walk from roads to sidewalks. Considering very few unsanitary public restrooms exist throughout Ghana’s cities, open defecation is not unusual. The availability to sanitation systems is extremely stratified by class; only a few wealthy individuals have access. The disposal of waste is generally dumped in water systems near poor areas. As our bus drove around Accra, I saw a giant river filled with trash and human waste. Right next to the river was the largest urban slum in Ghana, called Sondheim and Gomorrah. Though waterborne diseases are prominent in all areas of Ghana, they are even more common in these poor areas. Little government action has been taken to handle this serious issue. Therefore, Ghanaians have no other choice but to pollute the areas from which they drink and bathe. While clean water has become more accessible in Ghana, much of it is still contaminated. Before I left for Ghana, I had performed a great deal of research, having written several papers involving these problems. However, it was difficult to imagine these issues until I personally inhaled the stench that radiates along crowded streets. Sanitary issues not only directly harm the health of Ghanaians; the extreme amount of water pollution has influenced water quality, which has caused lowered fish populations. This has not only led to ecological problems, but it has also decreased the country’s fishing industry. Some organizations have protested that the government should improve sanitation and water systems, but little reform has occurred.
By traveling abroad to Ghana, I gained more knowledge than I ever could by simply reading books or writing papers. I will always cherish the memories I made in Ghana, and I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to travel there. I highly suggest studying abroad anywhere (especially Ghana) to anyone. There are more experiences I had than I could ever write down in a blog, so I welcome questions from anyone interested!
Medasi (thank you)!
Throughout the trip, I visited several cites, including Acrra, Kumasi, and Cape Coast. In addition, I was given the honor to get to know the incredible people of Bompata, a small village near Kumasi, for several days. In Accra, I experienced the diverse range of Ghanaians living in the city, attended lectures, visited the University of Ghana, improved my bartering skills, and spent a night salsa dancing and listening to reggae bands. In Kumasi, I walked through one of the largest open air markets in Africa (which was the most terrifying thing ever) and learned about the Akan Kingdom. In Cape Coast, I visited two of the largest slave forts in Africa, Elmina Castle and Cape Coast Castle, walked on a canopy through Kakum National Park, and I can officially say that I have touched both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. In Bompata, I spent time at the village’s school, went to the church service, hiked through the community farm, and got to know some of the most kind people I have ever met. Finally, at the end of the trip, I saw a live African drumming and dance performance where I was pulled onto the stage to dance (Best.Night.Ever). All the while, I got to know our amazing tour guide and bus driver, bonded with an incredible group, ate crazy awesome food, and had some of the most memorable experiences of my life.
Now, on to a brief overview of sustainability issues in Ghana! Ghana is one of Africa’s most developed countries. Comparatively, the country has a high GDP, low infant mortality rates, high literacy rates, along with other impressive development indicators. Corresponding with the recent growth of Ghana’s economy, the country has experienced rapid urbanization. Unfortunately, infrastructure and sanitation systems have not improved with the increased number of people in cities. The lack of sanitation systems has made Ghana one of the most unsanitary countries in Africa. Though these facts were easy to find prior to my trip, I was not able to understand the severity of the issue until I had to jump over giant open sewers in order to walk from roads to sidewalks. Considering very few unsanitary public restrooms exist throughout Ghana’s cities, open defecation is not unusual. The availability to sanitation systems is extremely stratified by class; only a few wealthy individuals have access. The disposal of waste is generally dumped in water systems near poor areas. As our bus drove around Accra, I saw a giant river filled with trash and human waste. Right next to the river was the largest urban slum in Ghana, called Sondheim and Gomorrah. Though waterborne diseases are prominent in all areas of Ghana, they are even more common in these poor areas. Little government action has been taken to handle this serious issue. Therefore, Ghanaians have no other choice but to pollute the areas from which they drink and bathe. While clean water has become more accessible in Ghana, much of it is still contaminated. Before I left for Ghana, I had performed a great deal of research, having written several papers involving these problems. However, it was difficult to imagine these issues until I personally inhaled the stench that radiates along crowded streets. Sanitary issues not only directly harm the health of Ghanaians; the extreme amount of water pollution has influenced water quality, which has caused lowered fish populations. This has not only led to ecological problems, but it has also decreased the country’s fishing industry. Some organizations have protested that the government should improve sanitation and water systems, but little reform has occurred.
By traveling abroad to Ghana, I gained more knowledge than I ever could by simply reading books or writing papers. I will always cherish the memories I made in Ghana, and I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to travel there. I highly suggest studying abroad anywhere (especially Ghana) to anyone. There are more experiences I had than I could ever write down in a blog, so I welcome questions from anyone interested!
Medasi (thank you)!