Although approximately 18-20 % of Ghana is Muslim, the city of Tamale is around 90 %. This just learned in a new one-week course I've been invited to attend on Islam. It is taught by Marie-Renee, a French sister, and she is excellent. Besides myself, there are five young seminarians in the class who are studying to be missionaries.
The highest number of admissions into Tamale Teaching Hospital is due to malaria, the second highest number of admissions is the result of Road Traffic Accidents (RTA). It is strongly recommended to avoid being on the road at night. Vehicles are frequently without lights and rules of the road are not well observed.
Ghana has recently introduced their new currency but continues to use the old as well until the transition period is to end in December of 2007. One new cedi or 10,000 old cedis is equal to about one US dollar (a little more, actually). Although it seems fairly easy to just drop four decimal points to go from the old to the new - ex. 500,000 old cedis is equal 50 new ones - juggling both the old and new bills and coins can sometimes be confusing especially when most Ghanaians continue to quote prices and fees in the old currency. For example, an old 5,000 bill is only worth 5 US cents whereas a new 5 cedi bill is worth about 5 US dollars or 50,000 old cedis. This situation, combined with us trying to practice our Dagbani numbers in conversation makes for an interesting exchange of funds when trying to pay for a taxi or a bunch of bananas.
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3 comments:
Cindy and Dr. Jim: or should I say Dr. Dooley? - Bill Marshall here. Matt keeps us apprised on a regular basis as to how you are doing. He sent us your blogs, which I've read, but I'm too computer illiterate to know how to answer. So, he's given me his computer to send you something anonymously. You two are amazing. Here I am trying to learn about the computer and you are ministering to Ghana. We are all down at the Shore with all the kids and enjoying it immensely, despite rain the last two days. Keep up the good work and we'll keep tabs on you. Regards, Bill
Cyndy
Are you sure you want to drive over there? Is the course in French? Had our Kosovo family here at the beach last week, wonderful weather. It's been raining for three days! I think the Ghana rainy season has jumped the Atlantic.
A belated Happy Birthday; certainly one to remember! Michael is due back tomorrow. Alleluia!
Pat
mrs. murphy,
i'm more polite than your first two commenters. i'm not at the beach. in fact, i live with my parents still and terrorize them. if my parents were smart, they'd move to africa as well. i love reading your updates. thanks for sharing. do you have an address so we can send some mail?
john
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