Local Happenings

Two impressive British members of the core team to rebuild Tamale Teaching Hospital treated Jim and me to dinner at SWAD last week. The young man is a civil engineer and the young woman is a project manager, both committed to a stay of three years here. The possibility of the hospital renovation/rebuilding was questionable until just recently when the Dutch government agreed to "gift" a substantial portion of the cost to Ghana. The plan is to construct a brand new facility alongside the existing one. The old hospital will continue to be used during construction and when the new hospital is completed, the entire medical staff will work there while the old building is gutted and refurbished, eventually providing space for administrative offices, a cafeteria, additional wards, etc. A modern, well constructed hospital will be such a welcome sight, especially if the budget will allow the much needed medical equipment which is presently lacking. Now if only crucial medications and miscellaneous other supplies could follow....
On another note, I forgot to relate one of Jim's previous amusing experiences when the Islam period of fasting finished a few days ago. Last year at this time, it seemed Jim went out to answer the doorbell which is on the exterior of the wall surrounding our property. When he unlocked and opened the metal entrance gate, he encountered two young men carrying rather large and apparently sharp-looking knives. The flash of concern that crossed Jim's mind was quickly diffused when they asked if he needed some assistance in killing his goat for the ritual meal commemorating the end of Ramadan.