Ghana

Welcome
We are pleased to have your participation in this experience among our West African friends. Peggy and I have had the privilege to serve many times in Ghana since 1984.

The Ghanaians are very friendly, gracious, and appreciative. You will make lasting friendships and have great stories to share back home with friends, churches, or civic groups.

Thank you for being an essential part of this ministry: to convey the message of Christ's redeeming love as we minister to those who hurt in body and in soul.

Robert Schoffstall is a retired Professor of Surgery, Medical College of Georgia, and Adjunct Associate Professor of Surgery at Tulane School of Tropical Medicine. Since 1991, he has served as MMI West Africa Medical Director. Peggy Schoffstall, RN, has a background in Nursing Administration, and serves as MMI West Africa Coordinator. The Schoffstalls have three adult children and four grandchildren.

MMI Projects in Ghana began in 1989 as an extension of Dr. Bob and Peggy's ten years of missionary service in these locations. Projects are conducted in various rural communities. We often return to the same locations due to the tremendous demand for assistance.

Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo.

Area: slightly smaller than Oregon.

Terrain: mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area.

History
Since 1958, Ghana has been a democratic nation and enjoys a peaceful tranquility.

Weather
Tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north. Dry season is generally from October to March. During the rainy season one enjoys both lots of rain and beautiful skies daily.

Goverment
Constitutional democracy with its capital being Accra.

Economy
Currency: new cedi (C).
Industries: mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, and food processing.
Agriculture: cocoa, rice, coffee, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas; timber.

Project Sites
Accommodations are usually quite adequate and include dormitories, private homes, and occasionally hotels or guesthouses.

Important Information

More paperwork is required in West Africa than in many other MMI countries.

Credentials and Deadlines: Government work agreements are strict. There are certain stipulations for temporary work permits, license to practice medicine, and visas for entry. It is illegal to do volunteer work in any capacity while visiting on a tourist visa. Your project director secures the US visas, work permits, and licenses for both the US and Canadian volunteers. Copies of your paperwork also have to be filed in the Texas office and with the project director.

The Ghanaian government requires all applications and credentials to be in their possession 3 months before the start of the project. Please work with our offices to ensure you will meet the deadline.

Special note: All Ghanaian documents must be notarized, so they will have to be mailed to him.

Our Relationship with the Nationals: As guests of our West African friends, we comply with their wishes concerning our attire. Both men and women are asked NOT to wear shorts or tank shirts. Wearing of slacks by women is frowned upon in the communities we serve, and women are expected to cover their hair with a hat or scarf while attending church services. It is especially important, upon landing in the country, for the women on the team to disembark the plane wearing a dress or skirt. If our team is met by an official delegation, we must not appear to be disrespectful. Thank you for your understanding about this.

Medicines: We know from experience that our team must carry in all the things we plan to use. The West African clinics have nothing to spare. Money donated for the purchase of medicines and supplies is sent to the MMI office and clearly marked on a separate piece of paper 'West Africa Fund.' The donors will receive a receipt for tax purposes

 

People

Population: 19.5 million.
Ethnic groups: black African 99.8%, European and other 0.2%
Literacy: 64.5%
Two-thirds of the people are rural farmers who live in houses constructed with mud walls and thatched or tin roofs.
Ghanaian food is generally hot and spicy, and most meals are served with a pepper sauce containing meat, fish or chicken.

Religion

Indigenous beliefs 38%, Muslim 30%, Christian 24%, other 8%

Language

English (official), African languages