Feeding Monkeys

Early Saturday morning we left for our weekend trip. The first stop was at the Akosombo Dam. The dam was inaugurated in 1966 and is actually the most expansive artificial lake in the world, covering about the size of one fifth of Switzerland. After a delicious lunch at Afrikiko Restaurant next to the lake (yummy, that charcoal grilled Tilapia was definitely fresh and tasty, one of the best meals I had in Ghana so far!) we drove on to Mount Gemi, one of the highest mountains in Ghana close to the border of Togo. The walk up the mountain offered spectacular views as far as Lake Volta. It felt good to be moving after one week of sitting.

Next morning we drove to the Wli Falls. The 45 minutes walk to the falls led us through dense rain forest, with lush green trees and bushes; humidity was close to 100 %. Although rain season is only just about to start there was quite an amount of water in the fall. Wli Falls is the highest waterfall in all of West Africa.

 

And, oh yes, I am a “mango lover” – and there are mango trees everywhere (apart from bananas, pineapple, cassava, palm trees and many others). The guide picked and washed one mango for me and in the restaurant I had it cut for me and ate it as a dessert. A small but very sweet mango…Delicious!

The highlight of the weekend was definitely the visit to Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary. It was created in 1993 to protect the sacred Mona monkeys that live in the surrounding forests. For many years the monkeys were thought to be the spokesmen for the slower tortoises. The sanctuary is now a community-based ecotourism project. And very obviously it is a fact that the monkeys adore bananas! If you hold a half one out to them they will even jump over, sit on your arm and munch it. Their paws are surprisingly soft, and swiftly they fly and jump all around you. Mind your head though; from time to time banana peel will drop from the sky!

 

More to come, 

Cynthia

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And the air conditioning is currently not working... But I don't complain, my winter has been long.

A Day Out

First of May is a public holiday also in Ghana – Therefore we were off work and enjoyed a day out. We went to the Aburi Botanical Garden, a 45 minutes drive from Accra. And wherever you are – there are always kids around that want to have their picture taken. They have so much fun when you show them the photo afterwards.

Our team after lunch:

Two Days of Client Interaction

Did you know that Ghana has its own time zone? It is called GMT – Ghana Maybe Time….This little anecdote was told by one of our Ghanaian clients. So true! Our kick-off meeting was supposed to start at 8:50 am, but actually started “a bit later”. I assume Barbara, the CDS country director, is well aware of it and had it worked into the schedule from the beginning, because we finished right on time.

It was so good to meet our clients - finally first time face to face. Despite working hard we laughed a lot. Tuesday we were picked up early (on time) and driven to our client’s office. Everyone was extremely helpful in getting us installed. We have our own cozy little office. 

Our office – my team: Dianne and Derrick and our good souls, Barbara from CDS with Remi from IBM Nigeria.

Our client is Ghana Audit Services (GAS) – the Audit Service exists to promote good governance in the areas of transparency, accountability and probity in the public financial management system of Ghana. Our task is to perform a skills assessment in existing and new departments and to provide a comprehensive framework to guide the setting up of a new department.

More to come,

Cynthia

The first day

There seem to be many “firsts” these days. For the first time I met some of my team colleagues yesterday and some today at breakfast. Our Liaison Officer Francis took us to our first tour around Accra (hot and humid, especially compared to the long winter that just ended in Switzerland) and I withdrew my first Ghana Cedi’s out of the ATM.

During the Logistics meeting we were introduced to the Hotel facilities, a police officer talked about security in Ghana and a Medical Doctor reminded us to be careful with what we eat and how to ensure we do not catch any of the diseases endemic to this region. In preparation of tomorrow’s kick off meeting with the clients we also got our Ghana mobile phone loaded, made sure wireless connection and modem work – teamwork. We are ready to go!

More to come,

Cynthia

Travelling light?

One day to go. It’s Friday and I have finished packing. Everything seems to be different this time. I pack a big suitcase PLUS a bag – and with my hand baggage I will probably be just below the allowed weight limit. 

This is the complete opposite of my usual travel with just a bag. But there is so much to take with me – business clothes AND clothes for my travel after the assignment (this also means trekking shoes for the walking safari), a larger than usual medical kit, food and little gifts to distribute, of course some Swiss chocolate, although I fear it might melt.,  in my hand luggage I carry my laptop, all logistical documentation, my Ghana travel guide, my kindle (this at least saves me from carrying some books!), the camera and a change of clothes in case my bags don’t arrive or arrive late. It is wonderful that KLM allows two pieces of checked luggage for travels to West Africa! I will web check-in now, and then I am really ready to leave tomorrow morning.

More to come,

Cynthia

We met our Client (virtually)

I am thrilled! We had our kick-off meeting (although virtually over the phone) with our client this week. Only two more weeks to go before we leave for Accra. I have prepared and done so much, but I am getting nervous nevertheless. Our client has sent us (us, this is Derrick from the US, Dianne from Canada and me from Switzerland) a lot of information. I will have a look at it over the coming weekend. It's a lot of paper on petroleum exploration and law - a subject that I am not familiar with, as Switzerland has neither natural oil nor gas resources.

More to come,
Cynthia