Learning more about Ghana

This last week we went to the District Health to get the shots we needed. Yellow Fever, is very prevalent there, so we got that shot, also the meningitis virus, so we have to have that shot. And boosters for many other  things. The nurse spent quite a bit of time with us, telling us about, parisites, and other bugs. When we walked out with our arms all shot up, we were about to find out where we could find a Haz Mat suit to wear. Then we realized that she was just doing her job warning us about everything, not trying to scare us.
The next day, we talked to a friend that had been a mission president in another mission in Ghana.He and his wife shared their experiences of Ghana with us. It helped us be even more excited to go to Ghana. They told us how wonderful the people of Ghana were, and how much they loved them. The people have fully embraced the Christian teachings that were brought by the early European setttlers. They are very respectfull of  all people who are teaching about Christ, and when they meet the Mormon missionaries, they are polite and interested. They also told us that they were not sick at all for the three years they were there. We wanted them to call the district health nurse, and reassure her.

Ghana Public Health

Yesterday  we met with a wonderful couple that had been a missionaries in Ghana a few year ago. It was interesting to talk to them and find out about about some of their experiences. They had some house guests from Ghana that were over for the RootsTech conference and General Conference. One of them was Dr. Kwesi  Dugbatey, he is in the midst of opening up a school for public Health in Kpong, a  town about 50 miles from Accra. They are opening this school in September and and have about 100 students, pursuing their Masters Degree and then on to a Dr. This will be a boom for Ghana, brought about by the generosity of a Donor and the knowledge and and talents and willingness of Dr. Kwesi. We talked about the problems that malaria causes in this country, and he was giving me some tips. The mosquitos that pass Malaria around are very small, so many times you do not see them or hear them.  It is good to sleep with a fan on so that  will inhibit their flight. I understand that they have rolling blackouts or brownouts, because the demand on the electric system, so have a mosquito net handy. Then wear a lotion  or spray. Does anyone have any other hints?  We do get a malaria shot in the MTC and medication you take every day.

We also met with a lovely couple from the same city. They are also working on the School which is going to be called Ensign. I notice that his first name which is Michel, was pronounced in the French way (Michelle).  Ghana in the 1700's and 1800's was called the Gold Coast along with the other present day countries along the North West Coast of Africa. Many of the European countries including Portugal and France took control of the country. Great Britain was the last country to take control of Ghana as a Colony. That is the reason English  is the language of the land, but I am sure remnants of the other countries are in the language and culture. Ghana became independent in 1957.
Have a wonderful day-Heidi  

General Conference

We were very pleased to hear all the references to West Africa in General Conference this last weekend. (Pres. Uchdorf, Elder Dickenson) We are also getting to meet more people that have gone to Accra or other area in West Africa.

A brief history of  the LDS church in Ghana- The LDS church was not established until 1978 in Ghana, but between 1969 and 1978 there were several congregations formed and even recognized by the Ghana Gov. as LDS , formed by local pastors and following the Book of Mormon . In 1978 the Church sent missionaries into Ghana and baptised the majority of these congregations. The Church has grown from 400 members in 1979 to almost 50,000 member with 4 Missions in Ghana and a Temple dedicated  in 2004 by President Hinkley.