The Amazing Race to our “home away from home” began early this morning with our third flight from Accra to Kumasi followed by a four-hour bus ride. We are so grateful for a safe journey, seamlessly coordinated by our hosts and passionately prayed for by the NEA pastors.
As we passed the great Volta River, the excitement on our bus began to build, knowing we would soon pass the Leyaata Hospital, which sits on the south end of the NEA compound. The bus slowed to a crawl as the 130,809.06 square foot facility came into view. Massive, majestic, magnificent—are just a few words that quickly come to mind. Tomorrow after breakfast, we will be taken on a tour.
Our welcome to the NEA compound after an almost three-year separation was sweet and highly emotional. A lot has happened in our lives and the world since we departed in November 2019. My heart was bursting with joy to see David, Brenda, Abraham, and my Ghana family once again. We were also welcomed by members of the GRID Board, who arrived two days ahead of us to join in on the festivities.
After a beautiful song of welcome by the pastors and a speech by David, we settled into our brand new dormitory, Fulamoso House, which sits next door to our previous dormitory. It is spectacular! It is a five-star facility with two central outdoor gazebos and a tea station surrounded by our dorm rooms. I think it can sleep close to 100 guests. Some team members even have an ensuite washroom and air conditioning—those members are locking their doors.
First on our agenda was a most crucial task. Our team visited the grave of Noah Ampen, one of NEA’s founders who passed away after our last mission. His beautiful grave sits under the tree, right beside the three flags of Canada, the UK, and Ghana. We remembered Noah together, laid a wreath in his memory, and sang Amazing Grace. Noah loved us so much, and we will feel his absence and miss his smile each day we are in Carpenter.
For me, one of the most exciting things that took place today was the discussions between our Ghanaian health professionals and our Ghana Health Partners. Amanda, the Lead Pharmacist for Leyaata Hospital and Linda, our Lead Pharmacist, spent the entire bus ride from Kumasi to Carpenter chatting and planning. They look forward to ongoing collaboration with Sherry over the next few days. Dr. Ben, the Medical Director of Leyaata Hospital, is also on-site. Our physicians and surgeons have already begun discussions about how we can support Dr. Ben and his medical staff.
As Magdi, Graham and I walked back to our dorm after dinner, Magdi said, “What’s happening here is unbelievable.” He is right— unbelievable leadership, unbelievable progress, unbelievable work ethic, unbelievable relationships rekindled in the blink of an eye, and an unquenchable belief that health for all will soon come to Northern Ghana.
As I write, the gazebo is full of people having tea, journalling, and playing cards. We are tired from our long journey but invigorated by far more important things.
What’s happening here at NEA is unbelievable, and I am certain that what is about to take place this very week will be unbelievable too.
MD CCFP (EM) DIM&PH FCFP
Director of International Partnerships Canadian Consultant for Family & Emergency Medicine
Leyaata Hospital, Carpenter, Ghana
