Volta Lake

I am in Eastern Ghana just east of Lake Volta. Lake Volta is one of the largest man made lakes in the world. I have been able to see it while driving, but did not get a chance until yesterday and today to walk the shore. The water is very dirty so unless I want a parasite I cannot swim in it.

Yesterday afternoon, I went with Millie and her cousins to the village of Torkor. Torkor is a fishing village about 5 minutes west of Kpando by car. Since it was New Year’s Day, the village was dead. I guess even the fisherman take New Year’s Day off. The shore was pretty but since it is being dry season the haze was so thick that it was hard to see across the lake. The lake was pretty wide here, but since I couldn’t really see well I’m not sure how wide.

We were walking the shores and a man started yelling at us. We went to talk to him to find out what he wanted. He supposedly said we entered a customs port. There was absolutely no signage or anything to indicate it was a customs area. After talking more with him we found out that we were at a naval headquarters, and that all foreigners are suppose to report there when they go to Lake Volta. He said the government wants to know if a foreigner is on the lake in case they drown. I didn’t bring my passport with me, oops. So he was not very pleased with me. I guess I will make sure to carry my passport with me whenever I leave Kpando. On my longer trips, I have brought it with me, but when I’ve gone on short drives I’ve left in the security of my locked room. 

After talking to Kenneth today, he informed me that the naval officers are now at that port to prosecute human traffickers. CNN recently had an article on boys being sold into slavery and being forced to fish on Lake Volta. I think Oprah may have also had a show about the slavery on Lake Volta. I learned my lesson to be better prepared when I leave the home! I’m glad the Ghanaian government is trying to stop human trafficking.

Today, I went back to see “Aunti” with Kenneth. We wanted to make sure she was getting comfortable with the slideboard transfers. Also, we made a block for her to place her feet on when transferring so they would not get so tangled up in the wheels. She said her family is no longer lifting her into the chair and that she is doing the slideboard transfers!! I will continue to check on her and make sure things are going well.

After the home visit, Kenneth and his wife took me on a scenic drive through the countryside. We stopped at Lake Volta, but at a different village. We were at a little inlet of the lake, so its shores were very pretty here. I didn’t have my camera with me since I didn’t know I was going for a drive when I saw Kenneth. Boo! I need to start carrying my camera everywhere too! 

Now that I know how close Lake Volta is to Kpando, I plan on visiting it again during the wet season so I can see more of it! There should be less of a haze in the air in February after the first rainfall.

Tomorrow, we leave at 4 am to start our training around Ghana at various hospitals. I’ve been anxiously awaiting this!! Ghanaians love their holidays, but I’m afraid I’ve become restless the past couple of days. The plans for the visits with Kenneth are to work along side local therapists and help train them in whatever way we see fit.

This is Kenneth’s first trip with his organization so he is still trying to work out the details. Luckily, I’m a very patient person so it hasn’t been an issue for me that things have been delayed some. Well other than I still find the slowness of life here a lot to handle. I think for most Americans, it would be the thing hardest to adjust to here. I am use to my bucket showers and the toilet issues! Obviously, the poverty is still hard to handle. I don’t think you ever get use to that. I have just realized that despite the poverty, Ghanaians are overall a very happy and optimistic society!!

I’m bringing my computer with me tomorrow but I’m unsure how well the modem will work, so if you do not see a blog for a few days, don’t worry! I will definitely be able to post this weekend, so make sure to check then if you don’t see anything this week!

Love, Kari