It was a somber walk from our residence to Leyaata on our final day. I am always surprised by the collective sadness we feel as departure approaches. As one sweet nurse, Rebecca, said to me, “We are really going to miss your company.”
Then, as we rounded the corner to Leyaata, we were greeted by the most beautiful sunrise — exactly what we needed.
The day was full, as all final days seem to be. Our team worked hard to make the most of our remaining hours — providing service, mentorship, planning, and evaluation. At 4 p.m., all the physicians, physician assistants, and emergency nurses gathered for a lively set of emergency hands-on skills stations: airway management (led by me), chest tube insertion (led by Dr. Adowia and the goat), CPR and choking (Dr. Tiffany), intraosseous needle insertion using Thursday night’s chicken bones (Jannine), and AED instruction (Brooklyn).
The laughter, the focus, and the teamwork — as groups rotated every ten minutes — were wonderful to witness. (Have a look at the video!)
After a very quick change into our new Ghanaian clothes and a splash of water on our faces, we joined the Leyaata Hospital Management Team and physicians for a beautiful evening celebration. The main conference room was set with long tables and white tablecloths. Patience prepared a feast — groundnut soup and rice balls, roast turkey and beef, salad, roast potatoes, yam fries, and fruit salad — and together we reflected on everything accomplished over these two weeks. Dr. Mensah presented each team member with a jar of NEA’s homemade peanut butter.
And then, with impeccable comedic timing, Josh presented (with appropriate explanation) awards to our first-time team members:
• Brooklyn “Hotel Fulamuso” Brauer
• Tiffany “Wears (the) Pants Around Here” Bacon
• Julie “The Martin Whisperer” Peckford
• Rich “Silent but Deadly Funny” Samuell
• Nicole “Sure, I Can Sit the Middle” Malone
And then came the question we always face:
How do you wrap up two weeks of deep partnership, outstanding teamwork, service to humanity, and genuine love for one another?
You dance — that’s how.
To close our mission, Prosper invited Dr. David Adowia to lead us in the dance of the Mo tribe. The music from his phone began to play, David stepped into the circle, and began the dance of his ancestors. His colleagues quickly joined him, smiling broadly as they pulled all of us in. Dancing in a circle — round and round, singing and smiling — somehow said what our words could not.
On Friday morning, as we stood at the entrance of Leyaata to say goodbye, David, Brenda, and the drivers, without any discussion, broke into song — a three- or four-part harmony prayer that translates:
“Thank the Lord. Thank the Lord. Thank the Lord, because He is good and His goodness is plentiful for us.”
And with that, the convoy of four white pickup trucks carried us through the gates of mighty Leyaata — bound for Kumasi — as David and Brenda stood, arms in the air, until we were out of their sight.
As I write, our team is safely in Accra, exploring and enjoying the city before our flight home tomorrow night.
Before I end, I want to offer three simple thank-yous.
First, to the Mensahs and Leyaata: thank you for inviting us into this work, for trusting us as partners, and for allowing us to stand beside you as you care for your people. It is a privilege to be welcomed into your house. We are better human beings and better professionals because of all we have learned from you.
Second, to my teammates: you have given your hearts and souls to this mission. Your courage, kindness, humour, incredible skill, and resilience have been a gift to me, to Leyaata, and to the Ghana Health Partners program. We will remember these two weeks forever.
And third, to our supporters back home: thank you for praying for us, supporting us financially, cheering us on, following these stories, and making it possible for us to be here. You are very much a part of this partnership and this story.
As I close this 2025 mission, what strikes me most is the contrast between the complex issues facing our world today and the simplicity of our last day at Leyaata…
A sunrise.
A jar of peanut butter.
A silly award.
A dance.
A song.
And one quiet sentence from a nurse: “We are really going to miss your company.”
Sometimes global health work feels complicated — and sometimes it reminds us that it doesn’t need to be. When each of us shares even a small part of who we are, and who we were designed to be, great things — and even greater things — can be done with God’s help.
And I cannot resist saying, “Stay tuned for a Call to Action!” Leyaata and the Ghana Health Partners and Hernia International Carpenter are beginning the work of building the Leyaata Education and Research Network (LEARN) Centre and dormitory. This will become an academic collaborating centre and a home for training the future health professionals of Ghana — and we invite you to help us complete it.
I am very tempted to ask Ochelle to put a big “DONATE HERE” button at the end of this blog… but I’ll behave and wait for the formal campaign to launch.
For now, I’ll end with what Abraham Sayibu — Leyaata’s Administrator — taught me: we do not say goodbye; we simply say, “See you soon.”
Sunrise over Leyaata.
Lab Partners
Abdominal assessment training by Jannine.
Handing the teaching over to Dr. Clifford.
Paramedicine Partners
Emergency Medicine Partners
Dental Partners
Eye Team Partners
Rehab Partners
Pharmacy Partners
Emergency Skills Workshop
Airway Station
AED (automated external defibrillator) station.
Intraosseous Station
CPR Station
Chest tube station.
Babysitting Station
Final celebration.
Awards and peanut butter.
See you soon!
“I thought I felt something in my shoe all day” —Neil Martin
The final dance begins…
And then it ramps up!
Our departure prayer and blessing. David Mensah and our 4 drivers.
The Convoy
A fitting end to a week of mental health training for Dr. Sue.
Ready for a five-hour tour of Accra!
GHP November 2025–Over and out.
A fitting photo (see Dr. Martin’s t-shirt logo) to end with as we now hand the baton to Mr. Rob Hicks and Hernia International Carpenter who will run the next partnership mission in February!
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
DISCLAIMER: This content is intended as updates shared to Ghana Health Partners’ Team Updates subscribers only and should not be shared with anyone.
Jodi Bussiere says
Beautiful stories- miss that sunset- and our healthcare partners- such fun and so much hard work- enjoy your reunions with your families- Merry Christmas everyone! ???
Kathy Bayless says
Your vivid insights shared daily help us “feel” part of what is transpiring on site. Throughout the myriad ways each of you offer yourselves in service, it’s clear you are being served as well. What an impactful picture of community! Thank you Lord. No wonder it’s hard to leave. Traveling mercies.
Judith Gooding says
This has been such an interesting series of blogs. Such a variety of experiences, so much good being done, and what looks like so much fun.
Thank you.
Darlene says
Thank you for the wonderful posts the past couple of weeks. Safe travels back to Canadian soil.
Christine Harding says
These updates of this mission have been the highlight of my two weeks. Thank you GHP, each one of you for serving so happily at Leyaata. Also, thank you David and Brenda for keeping an eye on this hardworking group. The articles and photos are just wonderful. Enjoy getting ready for the holidays when you get home.
Neil and Cathy Bacon says
What a blessing you have allowed us to be part of from afar! Thank you to each of you for your love, compassion and heart for those in need and in caring for those who need it most. These updates have been the highlight of our days and we couldn’t be more excited to hear about all the adventures when you get home. Travel safe and know you are being thought of with love!
Margaret Hart says
Congratulations to you all on another successful mission. What a beautiful thing to begin your travel home with “full cups” (and peanut butter)! Thoroughly enjoyed following along with your great blogs and wonderful pictures and videos.
Margaret Hart
Evelyn Metcalfe says
Thank you for two weeks of sharing your experiences and pictures. Martin now I know how hard you have worked and the fun you have had. Julie I saw you at work too.
Dr. Wilson I have read your book and I have just finished An African Boy’s Journey of Faith. I taught with Brenda’s Aunt Helen for many years and I had met her Dad.
God bless all of you. Merry Christmas!