Ghana
Welcome!
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.
MMI Projects in Ghana were started in 1989 by Dr. Bob and Peggy Schoffstall. They now are directed by Ghana Project Director-Collins Antwi. Accra, Ghana is also the location of Sight For Africa, and MMI 500 Hospital.
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
MMI Project Sites in Ghana include Accra, Kasao, Winneba, and Kadjebi.
Accomodations
Accommodations are usually quite adequate and include dormitories, private homes, and occasionally hotels or guesthouses.
Important Information
In preparation to serve as a medical professional in Ghana, there are additional steps to take regarding documentation so it is important to register early when you plan to join a Ghana team.
Credentials and Deadlines: Please contact the Ghana Project Coordinator for additional information regarding deadlines and in-country registration. 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.
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.
Medicine and Supplies: We know from experience that our team must carry in all the things we plan to use on the project. 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. For additional information about how you can support Ghana projects by donating for the purchase of supplies, please contact the MMI Office.