Renewal

If Week One at Leyaata was full of intensity, service, and deeply meaningful work, then this weekend has been its perfect companion. Rest, laughter, discovery, and simple pleasures have nourished our hard-working team in ways we knew we needed—and perhaps even more than we realized.

On Saturday morning, we rose early and set out for a field trip to the Bui Hydroelectric Dam and its accompanying solar facilities—an impressive example of Ghana’s investment in renewable energy.

We began at the dam itself. The Bui Hydroelectric Generating Station uses three turbines to produce roughly 400 MW of power from the Black Volta River. We donned our hard hats and descended into the underground area that houses the turbines. Although they were not running while we were inside, it was easy to appreciate the scale of the infrastructure poised to turn the force of the river into electricity. Our guide’s memorable instruction—

“Prepare your heart and mind, don’t touch anything, and don’t panic.”

—set the tone.

From there, we drove a few kilometres to the land-based solar farm, where rows of panels stretching over hundreds of acres quietly feed renewable electricity into the national grid.

Our final stop was the reservoir, where 16,000 floating solar panels have recently been added to the water’s surface. This 5 MW facility produces the same output that would have required about 19 acres on land. The water beneath the panels helps keep them cooler, boosting their efficiency.

Together, the dam, the land-based solar farm, and the floating array form a hybrid system designed to improve both energy reliability and environmental sustainability. It gave us plenty to think about.

After our tour, we visited the bustling Bamboi market before returning home for what has become a daily highlight: another extraordinary meal prepared by Justina and her team. They spoiled us with papaya and carrot soup, a beautifully garnished salad, chicken and potatoes in tomato sauce, turmeric rice, and fresh watermelon and papaya for dessert.

And because laughter is its own kind of medicine, the night ended with an 18-person round of Code Names under the gazebo. The competition was spirited, and the laughter was loud despite the heavy, still heat and complete lack of airflow.

Sunday brought a different kind of renewal. We had the honour of worshiping with the Carpenter church family. The service was full of heartfelt singing, dancing, and a beautiful baby dedication. As always, worship flowed seamlessly between local languages and English—often alternating verses—and our hearts were lifted by the unity of it all.

After lunch came the kind of rest that restores the soul: naps, card games, yoga under the gazebo, and frisbee in the hot sun. Nothing complicated—just the luxury of unhurried time.

Later in the afternoon, we enjoyed a tour of the NEA compoundby Dr. Mensah himself—another reminder that Leyaata is just one expression of a much larger vision. NEA’s work spans church growth, education, environmental protection, food security, peacebuilding, water and sanitation, women’s programs, and health, always addressing the many causes of poverty together rather than in isolation. Walking the grounds made it clear that the hospital is one vital piece of a much bigger puzzle of sustainable community development.

After dinner tonight, I asked everyone to share one word describing how they feel as we begin our second week at Leyaata. Their words paint a simple but powerful picture of Week One: thankful, fulfilled, satisfied, rejuvenated, hopeful, overwhelmed, sated, confident in what we will achieve, thoughtful, humbled, hot, inspired, discontented that the job is not yet done, excited for the future, amazed—and, as one person put it, “my cup is overflowing.”

Thank you for cheering us on from afar. Your prayers, your messages, your love: these, too, are part of what renews us.

Bui generating system.

Control room.

Bui Solar Facility

Floating Solar System on Bui reservoir.

Bamboi market.

Checking out fabric.

Saturday Supper!

Ready for church!

ECAC Church Service in Carpenter.

Super handy having a team chiropractor!

So many games!

Touring the compound.

Dan the Man.

Lemon tree!

Best snack ever.

Treatment for traveller’s diarrhea is available 24/7 thanks to team pharmacist Sherry!

NEA Aquaculture Centre

NEA piggery.

NEA ostrich farm.

DR. JENNIFER WILSON
MD, CCFP (EM), FCFP, DIM&PH, MPH (FCM) CSGH
Director of International Partnerships Canadian Consultant for Family & Emergency Medicine
Leyaata Hospital, Carpenter, Ghana

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