The Economy...it's a Global Health Issue

Downtown Tamale

 The stark contrast in economic conditions between Ghana and Canada has left me in deep reflection. When comparing international poverty lines, set at $2.15 USD per person per day, there is a significant gap. In Canada, only 0.2% of the population falls below this line, whereas in Ghana, it's a staggering 25.2%. This disparity hits home when considering everyday expenses. The local currency is Ghanaian Cedis - 10 Cedis is the equivalent to one Canadian dollar. A meal at a local restaurant in Ghana costs around 80 Cedis (equivalent to $8 CAD). This boggles my mind to realize how “wealthy” we are in this country compared to at home.

I think about the ability we have to affect people’s lives with what we can afford here. For our screening clinics, we used money that was fundraised back home to purchase medications for our screening clinics to provide for free. With roughly 35,000 Cedis, we were able to get enough meds for over 600 patients between all the clinics. Back home, that amount of medications would cost significantly more. This contrast in healthcare accessibility was evident when a pregnant woman came in could not afford a Hepatitis B vaccine priced at 1000 Cedis ($100 CAD). The nurse had to have a conversation with her around making a plan on how she was going to save up money to afford it. 

 

Setting up for Health Screening

After having conversations with local nurses, I learned that unfortunately many nurses only get paid about the equivalent to 400$ CAD a MONTH. They shed light on the challenges they face, and how the government does little to support them. External labor, often cheaper, exacerbates the economic strain, as Ghana opts for international contracts over supporting local businesses. China specifically is highly involved with many contracts for construction for example, fostering a negative attitude from local Ghanaians towards China. 

 Despite these economic challenges, the resilience and gratitude of Ghanaians shine through, particularly in their appreciation for healthcare workers.  To us, providing free medications to patients seems like nothing; we’re used to the luxury of free healthcare back home. To them, it’s everything. “God bless you, may God protect you” - something we hear often here. Due to the financial burden of healthcare costs, many citizens, especially people located in rural areas, would never seek treatment. 

 

Donated supplies at Shekhina Clinic

Seeing how humble, grateful, and optimistic people are here amongst their struggles, gives me a whole new sense of appreciation. To provide insight, Canada has a population of around 38 million. Ghana on the other hand, that is about a third of the size of BC, has a population of around 33 million. This experience has shifted my perspective. I've come to realize that our way of life in Canada is a privilege, not the norm. As we navigate the densely populated streets of Ghana, poverty becomes a stark reality, highlighting the significance of the simple blessings we take for granted and the privilege we often overlook.

Posted by Jayne - 4th year BSN Student

Suffering, Love & Gratitude

When I was deciding what to write my blog post about I was having difficulty choosing which experience to share my thoughts on. However, as I began to adjust and immerse myself into the culture and way of life in Ghana I realized that is exactly what I wanted to write about.

Ghanaian culture is profoundly beautiful, filled with love, joy, community and resilience. At first, their joy baffled me as I felt so uncomfortable, hot and sweaty all the time. However, as the days went on I became increasingly grateful for the simple things such as running water and electricity. The resources and amenities that I’ve never had to live without in Canada became a luxury to me and I started to understand why the Ghanaian people are filled with gratitude and compassion.

One of greatest differences I’ve noticed from Canadian culture is the wide spread resilience they hold as a population through the hardships of their daily lives. I personally believe that to be truly grateful, one must suffer first. That is what I recognize as the difference between Canadians and Ghanaians. We have the privilege and the time to feel sorry for ourselves when hardships occur. This is not the case in Ghana. A Ghanaian woman once told my professor, “if we sat down to cry every time something was hard, we would never stand up again”. The conveniences of the western world limit our capacity for resilience and ability to be resourceful.  This is one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned from the Ghanaian people.

Another difference I’ve noticed from Canadian culture is the sense of community that surrounds cities and villages. I find Canadians live individualistic lives in comparison. Usually only including your core group of friends, significant other if you have one, and family if they live near by. However, the sense of community in Ghana is something I have not witnessed in my life prior to this trip.

Easter Picnic

It is absolutely beautiful and enough to make your heart glow. The people of Ghana may have less resources and objectively harder lives, however they do not go through their hardships alone. They are supported by everyone in their community. They celebrate together, grieve together, laugh together and live in gratitude together. One of my favourite memories of this trip was when we were invited to an Easter Monday picnic in the Dagliga community. It was the most extravagant event I have been to.  There were crowds of people gathered underneath the shade of the trees, dancing, laughing, and sharing food and drinks. It was the most memorable portrayal of community I’ve seen this trip.

My view of religion has also changed throughout my experience. I’ve found living in a westernized, individualistic country the religion one follows can be taken to extremes of superiority to other peoples beliefs, spreading hate and judgement rather than love and gratitude. 

Central Mosque Tamale

Ghana is a very religious country. The two main religions are Christianity and Muslim, co-existing together with no tensions towards the other religion but rather an understanding of different belief systems. Upon further reflection, I recognized that they use their religion to thank their God for what they are grateful for and share love and compassion towards members of their community. Viewing religion and using it as its intention to share love and kindness rather than to prove superiority over others. 

Overall, this experience has shifted my worldview and reminded me how privileged my life is back in Canada. I will forever have a deeper appreciation for our stable resources such as clean water, electricity, and access to healthcare. However, the Ghanian people have taught me how to live with love and gratitude in my heart. They showed me what true community looks like and what it means to be a part of it. Lastly, they changed my view on religion and how they use it to connect with their community rather than segregate it.

Posted by Rachel, 4th year BSN Student

Strength and Resilience....

My recent journey to Ghana stirred unexpected emotions within me. As a Canadian visitor, stepping into the vibrant tapestry of Ghanaian culture opened my eyes to a world vastly different from my own. Amidst the bustling streets and lively markets, it was the resilience and resourcefulness of Ghanaian youth that left a lasting mark on my heart.

During my time in Ghana, I witnessed firsthand the early initiation of children into physical labor. Whether it was 4-year-old boys independently herding cattle in rural villages, or 7-year-old girls assisting in the markets of urban areas, the sight of young children actively engaged in productive work was everywhere. Their small hands worked tirelessly, their faces set in unwavering determination. From 2-year-old toddlers to 16-year-old adolescents, all displayed a strong sense of duty. Coming from a society where childhood is often synonymous with play and education, seeing Ghanaian youth shoulder such responsibilities from a young age was a stark contrast.

I spent three days on the pediatric floor at TTH. Within my time at the hospital, I observed sibling connections, physical and mental toughness, and independence. One moment stands out vividly: watching a 9-year-old boy tenderly care for his 4-year-old brother in the absence of other family support. Bathing him, administering medications, and cleaning up after him—tasks that would overwhelm many adults—yet this young boy carried them out gracefully. 

Their bond, forged through hardship, was a poignant reminder of the resilience ingrained in Ghanaian youth. Despite facing pain and malaise, these children at TTH rarely expressed complaints. Their ability to endure suffering with a smile, console their families in times of distress, and remain selfless in their actions left a profound impact on me. They showed me the depth of human resilience, compassion, and strength, teaching me invaluable lessons through their silent struggles and gentle gestures.

Moreover, the responsibility and resilience shouldered by Ghanaian children from a tender age isn’t confined to the hospital walls—it is everywhere, in every age group. Infants seek comfort from the welcoming arms of strangers, toddlers independently navigate busy markets to buy family essentials, and preschoolers trek miles to fetch water. School-aged children nurture their younger peers while adolescents willingly shoulder burdens to support their elders, showcasing a remarkable sense of self-reliance that defies their years. Their independence is a testament to their resilience and the harsh realities they confront daily. And yet, they still smile, they still laugh, they still play.

Children in Ghana are also incredibly resourceful. Their resourcefulness knows no bounds as they transform discarded objects into toys and treasures, turning everyday moments into opportunities for creativity and imagination. In their makeshift soccer fields and impromptu dance performances, they find solace and camaraderie. Their resourcefulness to find joy has taught me that happiness isn't found in material abundance but in the richness of human connection and shared experiences.

Since my arrival in Ghana, I have witnessed the boundless potential that lies within each child. As I return to my Canadian home, I carry with me the lessons learned from Ghanaian youth—lessons of resilience, determination, and the transformative power of community.

Posted by Lauryn, 4th year BSN Student

Don't Judge...Stay Curious....

Gutters in the streets of Bolga

While I have been here in Ghana I have been surprised at the vastness of trash littered throughout the cities, towns and farmlands. You see trash in the streets, in the gutters, in rivers, around homes and in the trees and shrubs in piles or just scattered about. Gusts of wind will send plastic bags flying through the air. The further out you get into the much smaller villages the less trash you see on the ground as these communities don’t use as much single use plastic items. While seeing garbage and trash on the ground may just seem unaesthetic and dirty to look at it is important to understand the detrimental impacts that it has on the health and wellbeing of a community and its people.

Currently there is a very limited waste collection system in some of the more populated areas of Ghana however, these services cost money, discouraging most from using these systems. This leaves most garbage burned or illegally dumped. With a limited or inaccessible system like this it leaves the people here with very few choices other than just leaving it on the ground . There is not enough resources for illegal garbage dumping to be enforced. The waste left on the ground contaminates the water systems and the soil. This contamination leads to illnesses, diseases and impacts the ability of crops to grow. Burning garbage releases toxic smoke that can cause many respiratory problems such as asthma or lung cancer.

In Ghana the national economy is one of the main factors that is standing in the way of developing adequate waste management systems. And on the other hand these conditions are leading to health conditions that further burden the economy of the country. these challenges exist in a positive feedback loop as one impacting factor leads to the next in the way they get perpetuated. There is a sense of irony here with the production of plastics and the wasting of them. On plastic drink bottles and snack wrapper they will say produced in Ghana and to “keep our country clean, please recycle”.

It is easy to look at all this garbage and waste and be frustrated and confused . However, it is important that we stay curious and take the time to learn so we can start to understand why the conditions are like this. Understanding this allows us to take blame off of the people who are “littering” and realize that this is a large systemic issue that cannot be simply fixed with one thing. I hope in the future that this country of strong people is able to build its capacity to address this area of public health.

Posted by Mallory, 4th year BSN Student

A Masked Suffering....

A local once said, “if I start crying, I may never stop…”

According to Harvard Health, crying releases oxytocin and endorphins which are feel good chemicals to lessen physical and emotional pain. Something most of us accept as an appropriate response. Remember this as I depict the visible physical disparities and the hidden emotional sufferings. 

Something I noticed being here is the amount of physical suffering and hard work Ghanaians go through to survive each day. It’s 38°+ and every day they wake up most likely in their village on a mattress on the cement ground or in the stand where they work. No air conditioning and no access to free filtered clean water. In addition, we are here through Ramadan, and many people are fasting from dawn to dusk.  

In spite of this, they show up for their day 100%. Can you imagine not being allowed to drink water in 40° weather? I would cry, be angry and exhausted. However, every encounter I’ve had simply walking past one another, has always been met with a greeting to ask how we are and a welcome to their home. Not to mention it is with the biggest smile on their face. If you ask how they are regardless of what is happening it is always “I’m fine,” even when it’s not. Physically you can see someone may be unwell and exhausted, but emotionally they are telling you everything is good. 

I am amazed at how much joy and laughter there is circling around, and everyone’s smiles are contagious. But why don’t they express some of their true feelings? It is in their culture to not cry and show emotion in ways that appear as if something is wrong. Many terrible, sad accidents and diseases occur here and they have to brush it off. Having all that mental pain built up inside someone is exhausting. But here it is normal. If you cry you are weak.

In the hospital healthcare is not free. If you can’t afford pain medications you won’t be given any. Many patients experience broken bones, stitches, labour, dressing changes and barely grimace. You may see a tear trickle down their face but nothing more. You may hear the odd scream, but no tears.

I’ve seen a mother at the bedside of her son who had a brain injury take the time to welcome me to Ghana with a smile on her face. I was taken aback, the chances of someone grieving in pain to welcome me with a smile in Canada is rare. 

In Canada we have so much readily available at our fingertips and yet many walk around miserable. In Ghana they live in survival mode almost every day but walk around with a smile on their face and good day to you. Ultimately, the joy and resiliency Ghanaians embody is truly inspiring. 

Posted by Alexis, 4th year BSN Student

A Deeper Meaning....

A deeper meaning and understanding here in Ghana. Expanding one's perspective to embrace the diversity of this world, along with the profound love and stories that Ghanaians have to share.

Shekhinah Clinic

Since our arrival in Ghana, we've encountered numerous wise, resilient, and beautiful individuals. Their warmth and generosity have humbled us, contrasting our own familiar routines back in Canada. We've realized the depth of connection they foster within their communities, showing a major difference to our insulated lives. Unlike the routine nods and waves we’re lucky to receive in Canada, every outing we’ve had here is met with waves, smiles, and heartfelt inquiries about our and our family's well-being. It's a humbling comparison that shows how deeply humans are connected worldwide. Their generosity in sharing their culture, stories, and values has been a profound lesson for us.

I'd like to share an enlightening encounter with a Ghanaian man that reshaped my perspective on life's priorities. He was a resident of Shekhinah Clinic for the Poor and the Destitute, and during our time assisting in the kitchen, he posed a simple yet profound question. He asked which among the pot, ladle, and serving spoon was most important.  

The women used these giant pots, large paddles to stir, and a dried gourds cut in half to serve the food into the bags. He asked us what we thought was more important out of the 3. The pot, the ladle, or the serving spoon. We had to think about it for a moment trying to decide what he meant and pick out what we thought would be more important. It didn’t take long for us to realize that it doesn’t matter what we pick out of the 3, you need all of them to successfully cook and serve the food. 

Without the pot, where would you cook the food? Without the ladle, how would you stir or mix the food? Without the serving spoon, how would you get the food out to the bags? It cannot work unless you have all 3. His analogy of cooking utensils mirrored the importance of engaging mind, heart, and hands in our actions. His words resonated, highlighting the significance of holistic engagement in life. Reflecting on his analogy, I realized that like cooking, life requires the integration of intellect (the head), compassion (the heart), and action (the hands). Without all 3 of these elements, our efforts are incomplete. His insight demonstrates the importance of holistic engagement in making a meaningful difference in the world.

It was such a simple question at the time. I didn’t think much about it, but after some reflection, I realized it meant so much more than we thought. This encounter underscored the profound depth of meaning embedded in everyday life and conversations here. 

The Ghanaians have left an impact on our lives now and showed us that there is more to this world.  This was only one small story that I chose to share, and I can tell you there are so many more we hope to share with our families and friends when we get back home.

Posted by Julia, 4th year BSN Student

The Paradox....

Our six week journey in Ghana began with a flight into Accra, from there we travelled north to Tamale by bus, where we will stay for two weeks before heading further north to Bolgatanga. Along the way, we drove through the Cape Coast, stopping at the Elmina Slave Castle, and spent a night in Kumasi before finally reaching Tamale. Spending approximately 16 hours on the bus allowed me plenty of time to look out the window and observe the world of Ghana.

Throughout my time here in Ghana, the theme of contrast is something that has stuck out to me. I've witnessed the juxtaposition of beauty and ugliness: gorgeous, immaculate clothing worn by beautiful men, women and children, as they sit in packed streets with dirty rubble back drops. Lush green rainforests and beautiful red clay desert sand, all littered in garbage. A stunning castle situated along the coastline with amazing views of the bright blue ocean and white sand beaches, yet so much tragedy and oppression occurred within its walls. Kind, sweet & smiling faces of people who are faced with challenges that would be impossible to articulate unless you have been a witness with your own eyes. Their resilience, despite the many disparities they face each day, is both heartbreaking and inspiring.

However, the starkest contrast I've encountered so far lies within the healthcare system. In comparison to Canada, resources are scarce, and patients must purchase their own medical supplies. Those unable to afford them are denied treatment, which is a common occurrence here. On my first day at the hospital I witnessed a patient being discharged with an open fracture to her radial and ulna (both bones in her lower arm were broken and punctured through her skin). The patient was advised that the open fracture would likely become infected if left untreated and as a result her arm may need to be amputated. Yet, the woman had no other choice but to take the chance and head home without treatment as tears fell from her eyes. As they fell from mine. The same day, I witnessed an 8 year old boy being discharged with an untreated leg fracture for the same reasons. The financial cost of healthcare treatment is simply not attainable for many of the people here. Without treatment the boys leg will likely not heal properly, impacting his growth and ultimately further compound the challenges & disparities he already faces in this physically demanding environment.

Similar stories repeat and repeat here. Worse stories. Stories I will not share with you here.

The resilience of the Ghanaian people, the citizens, the patients & the healthcare workers, in the face of such adversity is admirable. Their stories will stay with me forever. The people here are strong, it is beautiful and it is tragic.

Taylor, 4th year BSN Student