Elisabeth Wolfenden, USC

I didn’t really know what to expect two weeks ago as I sat on a plane on the way to Ghana, but my experience so far has been incredible. The Ghanaians are very friendly and go out of their way to make you feel welcome. I have made many friends with the people in the communities that surround the Asuansi Farm Institute and enjoy seeing them as I travel around doing my research. The fellows have also gotten very close, bonding over our experiences, our research and the lack of luxuries that we enjoy in the United States, such as running water and electricity.

For my research, I am studying the administration of health education in primary and junior secondary schools in three communities in the rural central region of Ghana and how this impacts the overall health of Ghanaians. I have made great progress in my research; however, there have been a few challenges in getting permission and access to the people and information I need to do my research. Last week, I met with the Ministry of Education in the Abura-Asebu-Kwankankese District and was granted permission to speak with the headmasters, the School Health Education Program (SHEP) coordinators, teachers, and children at the schools that I have been and will be visiting. Additionally, last week, I met with the Ministry of Health and the District and the Regional Director of Health in Cape Coast and got access to the health statistics of the three communities I am researching.
This week I have visited the primary and junior secondary schools at the District Assembly School and private Oxford Preparatory School and had the opportunity to speak with the headmasters, the SHEP coordinators, some of the teachers, and the children. I got a lot of great information about how health is taught in schools and a variety of opinions about what needs to be done. I am excited to go to the Methodist school in the community of Moree today and to continue my research in Abakrampa next week!