Touchdown in Accra

We arrived safely in Accra—with all our supplies and equipment—and were greeted warmly by our NEA colleagues and the hotel team. Over a simple, joy-filled dinner of comfort food—lemonade, fried chicken, gizzard, jollof rice, and coleslaw—we felt right at home.

At the table, we revisited the four objectives Dr. Mensah shared 18 years ago as we prepared for our first mission. They remain our cornerstone:

1. Be exposed to the needs of Northern Ghana.
2. Follow the command of Jesus to visit the sick.
3. Work alongside Ghanaian health professionals, using the skills and medicines available.
4. Support NEA’s goal of improving health consistently.

These guideposts keep us humble and focused on partnership—listening first, learning continuously, and contributing in ways that are respectful, sustainable, and locally led.

Eighteen years ago, none of us could have imagined a 100-bed hospital with more than 200 staff on Carpenter soil. Leyaata stands as a testament to perseverance, shared vision, and community leadership. It also stirs our imagination: What might the next 18 years bring? And how might this visit—and the relationships we strengthen this week—help shape that future?

Vibes are strong, hearts are full, and we move forward with gratitude and purpose. Off for a few hours of sleep before the next leg of our journey to the North begins.

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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