ACCRA

Here are a few photographs from our time in the capital city of Ghana, Accra.

We spent four days observing and learning from incredibly talented physicians, nurses and health care practitioners at a private health clinic in Accra. We had the opportunity to witness live births, C-sections, and observe rounds in the Maternal and Child Ward, the Emergency Ward as well as meet with the staff Nutritionist.

Observing health care and nutritional counseling in Ghana was truly incredible. I most appreciated recognizing the immense similarities between the nutritional recommendations being offered, and what I am learning in school in Portland, Oregon. Aside from the cultural recommendations of consuming local plants as iron-rich sources (cantoesee and kontomerey - likely both are spelled wrong), which I loved learning about. Seeing the similarities between nutritional philosophies and the emphasis on whole foods really emphasized for me our shared commonalities despite cultural differences and the distance between our home states.

The particular clinic we had the opportunity to observe at hosts many students, and witnessing the principle of "doctor as teacher" in action was enriching, as we ourselves benefited and we witnessed other students from local universities learning as well (most of the students I met over our four days were studying Psychiatric Nursing).

I truly am thankful to these incredibly knowledgeable, compassionate and skilled practitioners for sharing their time and expertise with my classmates and myself. And I am deeply thankful for this experience.

From top left to right: Auntie Beatrice, Molly & I; Visual representation of iron-rich foods to prevent anemia; Plumpy Nut to treat severe acute malnutrition; Dr. Isabella, Molly & I

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The flag of Ghana painted on the underside of an overpass in Accra

A woman selling beverages to people driving along the road. Trotro (public transportation) in the background, "Humble Thy Self"

The common forms of public transportation include Trotro's, large passenger vans that travel throughout the city. Each trotro has a driver and a mate, the role of the mate is to call out and signal to potential passengers where their specific trotro is destined.

Other forms of public transportation include taxi's, Uber and motorcycle taxi's.

Many taxi's and trotro's are embroidered with sayings. Many of these are religious references. Below are a few examples.

Trotro (public transportation) "Thank U Father"

Taxi with the saying "Never Give Up" behind a Trotro with the saying "God is Alive, So Am I"

Trotro (public transportation). The man in the pink shirt is the Mate. It is the Mate's job to indicate where the trotro is going and to collect the fare

In Jamestown, overlooking the Gulf of Guinea

The Jubilee House. The residential house and office of the President of Ghana