Driving from Kumasi to Accra, Ghana

I am currently in Ghana to experience Cadbury’s Bicycle Factory delivery. This is their second delivery in two years thanks to the help of Canadians who participated in the online project.

When departing Kumasi City (Ghana’s second largest city) to head back to Accra (the capital) we ran into a bit of an issue at the airport. With only 4 members of our group receiving boarding passes for the flight, the rest of us rented a van. As the crow flies, the cities are only about 250kms apart however with traffic and road work, we arrived at our hotel just over 6 hours later.

Pointing my camera out the window of the bus, I shot this quick video in a few parts. You can tell the road gets a little bumpy along the way but I just wanted to show the route. The scenery went from dusty to lush and back again while small towns bustled with activity.

There’s not only a culture shock between Canada and Ghana, but between the major cities and the rural communities here. Everyone is connected through texting, 3G mobiles, and my hotel had WiFi so I could blog and Skype with home. While just hours away, we were out in a dirt playground with children who walk long distances in 40C degree heat to get water from a well pump. You can find similar contrasts in many countries around the world and even in our own back yard to various degrees.

If you are so inclined, please check out the work that CARE International is doing globally and in Ghana. Locally, at the very least, follow organizations like @VanFoodBank, @UGM, @BeautyNight, @CovenantHouseBC and many others on Twitter to find out more about their work and consider supporting their efforts in Vancouver.

I leave Ghana tonight with mixed emotions but am thankful for the opportunity I have been given. Hopefully I can return again (with John) in the future to spend more time in this caring and passionate nation.

Disclosure: I have not been paid by Cadbury to participate in this trip. However, they have covered my accommodation and airfare to come along and document what I experience.