Construction work:
Originally, the team was supposed to install windows and doors shipped to Ghana in the Outpatient building. Unfortunately, there was a delay in the building, hence the need to focus on some other projects. The team assisted with the laying of walls to various rooms under construction but the bulk of the efforts went into the construction of the driveway into the hospital compound.
Mr. Abe Stutzman, a contractor from Springfield , IL operated the motor grader and the Bobcat. He was able to demarcate the driveway and graded the land. Mr. Abegglen operated the backhoe and used this to move gravel to construct the road. Work on this road started very well but had to be suspended when the truck and the backhoe broke down. Mr. Abelgglen also constructed a pond on the hospital site in an attempt to reclaim some of the low lying land.
The Ghanaian workers continued with their block laying, carpentry and steel bending work. Several columns and beams were constructed for the second floor (called first floor in Ghana ).
The Ghanaian consultants, Mr. Dagadu, the Architect and Mr. Hohoabu, Quantity surveyor and Mr. Ametsi spent some time with us. We reviewed the work timetable and then agreed on the schedule for work to be completed before the next team arrives in Ghana in June 2007.
Extension of Water
Using a combination of manual labor and machine power from the Back hoe, the folks were able to complete the digging of the 3 mile by 3 ft trench for the laying of the water pipe. Initially, we used the backhoe to dig but it broke down and we had to resort to manual digging, with laborers hired from surrounding villages. Despite this unexpected cost we were able to save about 30-40% on the cost of the project, had we given this to a contractor. We signed an agreement with Klikor water board, which owns the bore-hole to pay for the water supplied to the hospital. We thank God for all who contributed towards this project.
Clinic Work
Dr. Agamah held clinics at the IHDN Family Medical Center and also at Worgbato, near the village where we purchased the irregular “W” shaped land. Over 155 patients were treated by Dr. Agamah, who was assisted by Jan Calley, Sally Gaard and Janet Daniels. Most of the patients were returning with hypertension and diabetes. We did not have any major clinical problems or deaths. Because of the dry season, we did not encounter mosquitoes very much, hence very little malaria.
Donations of Desks, Fire Service Manual and Medications
We made donations of 25 desks to the Elementary School at Agbozume. The school has over 700 students, with very poor resources. The school administration and students were very appreciative of this gesture. Apart from not having desks, these students do not have textbooks. There may be only one or two textbooks to be shared among 30 or 40 students. We also donated a Fire Service Training Manual to the Fire Service Department at Denu. We also made a small donation of medications to the Ketu District Hospital at Aflao.
Farmers Workshop
Dave Calley and Matt Kolding held meetings with different farming groups. They also visited farms, including a cattle farm to help the farmers improve on their work. The farmers want to raise cattle to produce milk. Mr. Calley thinks a better option is to introduce milk producing goats in the area through Heifer International. Some of farmers implemented the recommendation of Dave Calley on a previous trip by planting hybrid corn. The yield was superior and now farmers are going to start planting that corn.
Packing of Warehouse
The team also spent sometime packing and organizing items shipped to Ghana. Hopefully, we will be able to complete an accurate inventory of all medical supplies.
Church Service
We attended church services with the Agbozume EP Church. Dr. Agamah preached on the first Sunday we were in Ghana. After the departure of the first team, Team B attended church service with the congregation at Legon Interdenominational Church on the campus of the University of Ghana , Legon. Professor Senanu, a former Vice Chancellor of the University and a founding member of this church hosted part of the team, while we were in Accra. Accordingly, it was fitting for the group to experience worship in this setting, mingling with the University Professors and students in the premier University of Ghana. They met prominent academicians, and leaders, including the former Vice President of Ghana, Professor Atta Mills, who visited Springfield , IL a few years ago.
Visit to Akosombo Dam
The team paid a visit to the Akosombo Dam. This is a dam built in the 1960s with investments by Kaiser Aluminum Company to generate cheap hydroelectric power for their Aluminum smelter plant in Ghana. In the 1960s there was abundant power generated by this dam. Recently, with low water levels and population growth, the power generated is not enough to go around for 22 million people. The team got the chance to see the low water level. Let us pray for the rains to come so that normal power production could be resumed
Shopping & Socialization with the Ghanaian Society in Accra
The team spent last Friday and Saturday in Accra sightseeing and also completing their shopping. One of the team members read in the papers about the high yield of approximately 12% on Money Market investments in Ghana. This led us to pay a visit to Databank, the premier brokerage company in Ghana. We were received very well by the leadership. There was a 30-minute presentation to the group on the Ghanaian economy and investment opportunities in Ghana. The main Mutual Fund in Ghana called Epack gained over 31% return in 2006. Databank is happy to work with both Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians. You can check their website www.databankgroup.com
We made a stop at Accra Chapel, one of the oldest, non-denominational church based on the campus of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to visit with Rev & Mrs. Addison. In the evening, Dr. & Mrs. Kwamin hosted a dinner party for the group. There was no electric power so we had to make do with hurricane lamps and candles. I did not get the chance to celebrate my 47th birthday, which fell on Feb 14, so the team used this opportunity to sing and wished me a happy birthday. I thank the Lord for life and good health and all His blessings this far. Thanks to Dr & Mrs. Kwamin and others for remembering my birthday and wishing me well.
Once again we thank the Lord for another successful trip. We thank all of you for your prayers and support.
Summary report submitted by Dr. Edem Agamah
on behalf of IHDN Ghana Mission Team – February 2007
For more details about the Winter 2007 mission activity report, please read the IHDN upcoming bi-annual newsletter.
