The general election in Ghana 5

A stall holder on the main street in Zebilla shows her support for the main opposition, the NPP.

The general election in Ghana 4

Waiting- at an election rally in Zebilla. Crowds slowly built up during the day, entertained by none stop music.
At about 10pm, the incumbent president, John Mahama (NDC) arrived and addressed the people of Zebilla.

The general election in Ghana 3

Electricity has become a grass roots election issue: power cuts are frequent, as we are now in the dry season, and the country relies on hydro-electric power.

The general election in Ghana 2

Street poster for the main opposition party- the NPP

The general election in Ghana

Ghana enjoys its reputation as the success story of Africa, and a part of that success depends on the continuation of a peaceful election process.

Parliamentary elections will be held in Ghana on 7 December 2012. All 230 Parliamentary seats are contested.  Presidential elections will also be held on 7 December 2012, with a run-off on 28 December, if necessary. Ghanaian elections have been peaceful since 1992 when Flight Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings, elected President, but formerly leader of several successful military coups, established the Fourth Republic and a new constitution, and the expectations are that 2012 will continue this established practice. There was a peaceful transfer of power in July of this year following the untimely death of  President John Atta Mills while in office which prompted a period of national mourning.  A further death, of a former Vice President two weeks ago triggered further united outpourings of grief and respect for a politician.

Opinion polls saying the result is too close to call at present- predicting the two main parties (the incumbent NDC and opposition NPP) will each draw about 1/3^rd of all votes with the other parties picking up the remainder. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is a liberal democratic and liberal conservative party, and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), a social democratic party.

Following the discovery of oil in 2007, the late President Mills presided over Ghana's first oil production in late 2010. He transformed Ghana into one of the fastest growing economies in the world in 2011, growing by a record-breaking 13.4 per cent last year, and with inflation falling from to 8.5%, the lowest seen in Ghana for 42 years.

During his term of office, President Mills though widely accused by his opponent for corruption, inefficiency causing economic retardation, adopted tight fiscal and monetary policies to reverse the large twin deficits his government inherited.  

Following the discovery of oil off the coast of Ghana in 2008, the policies of the next president will determine whether the country's petro-dollars will be used for the common good or disappear as in other oil-rich countries.

Though the campaign is intensifying, the political parties, some NGOs and the religious leaders are all calling for peace and calm during and after the elections.

Main campaigning issues are: the economy, primary and secondary education, health care, sanitation, roads and homes.

Locally, election rallies involve loud music, and the townspeople gathering on the large centrally located soccer pitch, where they will wait for hours before a candidate appears to address the crowd. Meantime, T shirts, bracelets, flags and similar items bearing party colours and logos are distributed and worn, while the younger men drive up and down the main high street on motorbikes or crammed into the back of electioneering jeeps and trucks.

Election poster for the NDC- urging double vote for local parliamentary and presidential candidates.
Politicians worry about voters splitting their support- the so-called "skirt and blouse" option.

Malaria

female anopheles mosquito- the carrier

 

Malaria- (technical information courtesy of the internet and Ted Lankester’s “The Traveller’s Good Health Guide.”)

Somewhere around the 10^th to 14^th October I was bitten by a mosquito: a female Anopheles mosquito.

This would not have been different from any of the many mosquito bites grudgingly tolerated, except this mosquito was carrying a single celled parasite Plasmodium falciparum, which causes malaria.

So, as the mosquito took some of my blood, she deposited into my blood stream a form of the parasite called a sporozoite which made its way into my liver. Without any noticeable symptoms, the sporozoite form of the parasite grew in my liver, becoming liver schizonts. This took about 2 weeks.

 On or around the 27-28^th October, these burst, releasing merezoites into my blood stream, while I felt an initial feverish symptom. The merezoites entered my red blood cells- the ones which carry oxygen- developing into trophozoites (which can be seen under a microscope), and then developed further into blood schizonts. Here a cycle was repeated- as blood schizonts burst from red blood cells, releasing more merezoites, while I experienced repeated bouts of increasingly feverish symptoms. Red blood cells are destroyed each time this process repeats- hence the tiredness associated with malaria.

On Sunday 28^th  October, after feeling a little under the weather for a few days, I rapidly began to feel ill- sweating, shivering, headache, total loss of energy, thankfully no sickness etc. Having witnessed and supported a fellow volunteer several days previously, who, in the space of five hours, went from general illness and sickness, through to hospital admission and intravenous malaria treatment plus saline rehydration, I knew I needed immediate medical attention.

As VSO volunteers working with government services or NGOs, we are privileged in having access to a vehicle and driver in case of emergency. It is recognised that for non- Africans, without acquired local immunity, suspected malaria has to be treated promptly. Within minutes of phoning, a car appeared and with my accompanying housemates, bumped and bounced us over the Zebilla tracks and roads to the nearest clinic. Here, facilities may be basic, the queues long, but the actual processing for testing and dispensing necessary treatment for malaria was streamlined and efficient. Happily I was prescribed necessary drugs and able to stay at home in my own bed while I recovered.

5 days later, with a second blood test showing negative for malaria, but in need of some iron supplements, I was feeling much better, and only tired in a post ‘flu sort of way.

Photo credit- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. A boy watches his family set up a mosquito net.

Malaria is present in over 100 countries. It causes an estimated 1 million deaths a year, 85% of these being children under 5 years old.  3,000 children per day die from malaria related illnesses in sub-Saharan Africa.  While the proper use of mosquito nets impregnated with insecticide has measurable effects in reducing cases of malaria, longer term studies show mosquitoes developing resistance to insecticides while the malaria parasite becomes more resistant to the drugs used for treatment. Therefore the aim to develop a vaccine remains the only viable solution. That is one of the goals of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which as of 2012, has donated US$1.3 billion to fight HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria.

Source- Ghana News Agency

 In 2004, the Ghana government introduced the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), encouraging every adult and child to register and carry an NHIS identification card, for a payment of 3 Cedis (about £1) per person per year. On producing this card, the holder would be entitled to free basic health care at a hospital, clinic or village medical facility, including ante natal, maternity services and treatment for malaria. Although the cost of the NHIS card remains beyond the reach of the poorest, with take up currently at about 65% of the population, it has proved to be enormously successful in saving lives, particularly among children contracting malaria.

Slow wheels

Senior High School students pose with their bikes

For getting about locally, free to use, quiet, flexible, and convenient for exercise, a bicycle is perfect.  Costing around 130 to 160 Ghana Cedis, (equivalent to UK 40-55 pounds), a price too costly for many but within reach of anyone earning a regular wage, bicycles are plentiful and popular.

My purchase was made Ghanaian style, visiting the family home and compound of Martin, the local bicycle dealer, where, within the walled extended family compound, among the chickens and drying piles of maize, surrounded by huts I was invited to make my selection. All bicycles are a similar simple “sit up and beg” style with sturdy frame, covered chain guard, elaborate stand fitted over the rear wheel and parcel carrier-most frequently used for carrying a passenger. Martin checked my machine, added a bell and a locking device, and promised speedy repairs whenever needed.

Martin the bicycle seller-with my new bike