Order is slowly emerging from chaos, mainly thanks to Jane's organisational brilliance. Yesterday we had our last jab (of 16 I think); and acquired our International Driving Permits (which will enable us to ride our motorbikes legally in Ghana), using our newly returned passports which now sport a 12-month multi-entry visa to Ghana.
Most of the jobs around the house are done - so with a bit of luck it won't fall down while we are away. We have acquired tenants - the family type who won't be paying for the privilege, know where the booze is kept, and probably won't have qualms about depleting the stock.
We have successfully hit our fundraising target for VSO - so huge thanks to everyone who has contributed, and we're more motivated than ever to try to make our adventure in sub-Saharan Africa something that will be of lasting benefit to the community in and around Zebilla.
We are surrounded by heaps of "pre-luggage". The big next task is to get this into a small enough number of bags so that it can accompany us without exhausting the pack-mules. When we've done this, I will share triumphant photos.
Jane has already started blogging - http://janehartleyghana.blogspot.co.uk I can already tell that hers is going to be more amusing than mine, so I think I'm going to try to strike a serious tone and share insights and information about life in a developing country; and how and why we, the rich minority, should care, support, help, and resist the urge to interfere. I'm already surprised at how passionately I feel about this.
As a starter, here's a map of Ghana.
No, you're not missing Zebilla - it isn't big enough to be shown. It's near Bawku, top right-hand corner, 16 hours by bus from the capital, Accra. We're told that Accra and Zebilla are attached by a continuous piece of tarmac, but I think I might have my doubts. And here are a few facts and figures to whet your appetites. I'll be monitoring your continued attention...
|
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Ghana
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UK
|
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Size
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238,540 sq km
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243,610 sq km
|
|
Population
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Nearly 25,000,000
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Nearly 64,000,000
|
|
Average life expectancy
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64 years
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81 years
|
|
GDP
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$39,200 M
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$2,430,000 M
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National Debt (per capita)
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£479
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£27,000
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Language(s)
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Circa 50 African languages; English
Surrounded by French-speaking countries – which Ghanaians tend not to
speak
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4 Celtic languages + English
European countries have their own languages – which the English tend
not to speak
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National characteristics
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“the friendliest country in Africa”
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“Stiff upper-lip”
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Football
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Totally mad about football. Qualified
for the World Cup in 2006 (“the Black Stars”) and got beyond the group stages
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Quite mad about football. Won
the World Cup when I was a kid
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Sources – Unicef & Wikipedia
Oh, and just for clarity, all views etc are my own, not necessarily representative of VSO. See you next time!
Paul,
ReplyDeleteyes you are right, Jane's blog is more amusing (even if it does knacker Internet Explorer (it was fine on other browser(s)). I admire her determination in getting through the scooter course (while you were just enjoying yourself). I have always said it's the things you didn't do you regret on your deathbed not so much the things you did. I'm glad this won't be on the "didn't do" list for you. Cheers, Bob Mannix
Hi Paul (and Jane)
ReplyDeleteI am much enjoying both your blogs and have been thinking of you during the last few overindulgent days of Christmas as we and our guests have drunk and eaten too much while the wind and rain have lashed against the double glazing. Do they do Christmas in Zebilla, I wonder?
Now it's New Year's Day, the recycling bin is overflowing as I forgot to put it out on 30th and it won't be emptied for a fortnight, before which we will have had our new year party .. but no trouble with the water supply, no animal noises during the night and no geckos in the underpants.
All the best for 2014
Richard Lawrence-Wilson