#cshc

The Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) Sanitation and Water Project (SWP) under the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources has initiated a noble project to improve the quality of life for a 15-year-old patient combating typhoid fever. 

 Prompted by a report cast by the Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), the ministry has successfully constructed a toilet facility for the underprivileged teen. Typhoid fever, a potentially fatal bacterial disease commonly spread due to poor sanitation, is a severe public health issue in Ghana. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the country reports over 600,000 cases annually. 

The 15-year-old adolescent, Abena (not her real name), a past student of Kiddy’s Garden School of UPCO located at Gbegbeyise community is one among many victims of what could have been prevented with better sanitation. Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), an organization dedicated to reporting human rights abuses in the country, highlighted the teenager's despairing living conditions and health issues. 

HRRG firmly believes that access to a toilet is a fundamental right that underpins the health, dignity, and prosperity of a community.

Their report also expanded on how the lack of a sanitary toilet facility within their home, teamed with water-borne diseases, serves to snowball into serious health risks for the family. Thanks to this investigative journalism by the HRRG’s executive director, Joseph Kobla Wemakor, the Ministry under the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) Sanitation and Water Project through the leadership of Ing. George Asiedu, launched an immediate intervention. 

The report: “Living without a toilet at home: The traumatic tale of a 15-year-old typhoid fever patient”, first published by Ghanaweb.com, went viral and received massive publication by various major online portals the moment the news surfaced.

“On the 23rd of June 2023 we saw this publication by Joseph Kobla Wemakor, a human rights reporter and we saw this dilemma of a 15-year-old typhoid patient.  

In the environment where the report indicate that the residents do not have access to toilet facility and open defecation happens to be the norm and quickly as a Project, we thought that this is one area we should also quickly get into and then follow-up to see how best we can help 15-year-old person," Ing. George Asiedu” the GAMA Project Coordinator narrated in an interview. 

The ministry, committed to ensuring proper sanitation for all citizens, committed resources to build the teenager and her family a much-desired toilet facility.

The project came to fruition, and Abena's home now boasts separate, clean, and functional toilets that offer a dignified solution to sanitation needs.

Prior to filing this impactful story, Wemakor had received a boost from the Centre for Science and Health Communication (CSHC) and partners to have his capacity built on infectious disease reporting among over 30 Ghanaian journalists who were selected and subsequently trained on May 17, 2023.

The overall goal of the workshop is to ensure an enhanced capacity is built for health and science journalists in the country who can be well-equipped with knowledge and skills to produce stories and educate the public on infectious diseases.

Apart from the skills and knowledge imparted, each beneficiary was also provided with funding support and tasked with producing a story on infectious disease to educate the public. 

Out of the media contents produced by each of the over 30 beneficiaries, Wemakor’s report stood out with an impact on the 15-year-old girl and her family when he got a surprised phone call from an official of the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area Sanitation and Water Project under the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources following their swift intervention.  

Reports show the teen's family was overwhelmed with gratitude as they expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, the GAMA Sanitation and Water Project Management team, and human rights journalist Joseph Kobla Wemakor for the support.  

While the toilet facility would abolish the immediate sanitary risk for the household, it is only a small victory in the larger combat against poor sanitation in the country. This particular case manifests the crucial role that media can play in affecting societal change. 

Human Rights Reporters Ghana used their platform not just to highlight human rights abuses but also to catalyze necessary improvements in living conditions for disadvantaged citizens. Despite being a life-threatening hurdle, the issue of sanitation continues to debilitate several communities in Ghana. 

According to reports by UNICEF, over 20% of Ghana's population lacks access to an improved toilet facility.

In many parts of the world, the comfort and necessity of indoor plumbing are taken for granted. Yet, over 2 billion people worldwide remain without access to basic sanitation needs, according to a 2019 report from the WHO and UNICEF.

Open defecation, inadequate sanitation, and the absence of toilet facilities can lead to serious health complications, including typhoid fever, a trauma bitterly experienced by a 15-year-old girl whose story provokes reflection on issues of health, dignity, and human rights. This single act of generosity by the Ministry should be lauded for the immediate relief it provides to the young patient. However, it also underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to eradicate poor sanitation countrywide. 

The urgency of large-scale sanitary initiatives and consistent efforts to upkeep hygiene in communities cannot be overstressed. Simultaneously, it is equally essential for other stakeholders, including public health agencies, non-profit organizations, and the general public to contribute towards robust strategies to mitigate this alarming public health issue. The construction of the toilet facility for the 15-year-old typhoid patient serves as an urgent reminder of the importance of adequate sanitary conditions in the prevention of infectious diseases. 

It is a testament to the fact that sanitation is not just a physical infrastructure issue but a critical health and human rights concern.

The Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) is extremely grateful to Ing. George Asiedu, GAMA Project Coordinator, Ministry of Sanitation Ghana as well as the entire management team, the Headmaster of Kiddy’s Garden School of UPCO Mr. Francis Avuletey, the Centre for Science and Health Communication (CSHC) and its Director Bernard Appiah (Ph.D.), School of Communication Studies, University of Ghana including all their partners for their support which contributed to making a huge impact in the life of the 15-year-old girl and her family.  

Watch a documentary video on the project here:

New project idea today.

CSHC

Cross stitch hardcore.

My favourite punk lyrics as cross stitch.

                   Who are the Aiken siblings?

Hometown - Asheville, NC Heritage - Father: Scottish American | Mother: American Origin of last name: Originated in Scotland, there are several spellings for the surname.

Daughter - Carmen Julia (33 years old) - The only girl of four and eldest. She got everything she could possibly ask for when she was younger but she’s no fool. She’s a southern belle and knows how to handle any situation thrown her way. She is currently a News Reporter. (Open muse)

Son - Chase Phoenix (31 years old) - A little more in tune with his feelings than the rest of his siblings. He had dreams of pursuing a career in the MLB but he suffered a multiple compound leg fracture during one of the most important games of his teenage career, causing him to lose several scholarships and offers because he never healed properly. Now he’s a well respected chef. (Open muse)

Son - Abel Jesse (27 years old) - He was always the biggest kid in the neighborhood, height wise. Don’t let his size fool you, he’s quite the teddy bear when he’s not on the gridiron. Once the shoes are laced up and the jersey’s on, there’s nothing that could distract him until the final moment. He is a Texans defense end whom was drafted his third year of college, making him not able to finish his college career and get his bachelors in Business that he wants to go back and get one day, maybe when he’s settled with a wife and children. (Open muse)

Son - Grayson Kyle (26 years old) - Ultimate pretty boy and knew it. His mother knew from the beginning when he was going to be a charmer/womanizer. He still has his southern boy charm which is what helps him get the women in his bed. He was an entire package that not many can say have, he’s athletic, charming and somewhat intelligent. He was picked up to play for the Rays during his final year of college and has been playing for the team for five years as a center fielder. He dedicated his first major league game to his oldest brother. (Open muse)

                                                                  - Ships -

Main verse

Carmen - Malcolm Kenway ( @ofcreatures )

Chase - Needed.

Abel - Harlequinn Queen ( @thiickasthieves )

Grayson - Annabelle Stanbury ( @theveinsoftheunknown )

Although I wasn’t able to take part in the graduation ceremony - convocation - I went along to watch my host sisters and friends receive their diplomas. It was a long ceremony, with several speeches, and over 300 graduates, but I enjoyed seeing how Canadians do grad, which is very different to the New Zealand graduation I experienced last year. It was lovely to see all my friends in their caps and gowns, which isn’t a tradition we use in NZ. 

Later on in the day was grad dinner, where the graduates dress up in suits and ballgowns and eat dinner with their families at the convention centre - more speeches, toasts, and videos, followed by dancing and photos. I dressed up a bit too, and it felt lovely to be included when my friends Hannah and Patrick dragged me into the graduation march with them. Everyone was in high spirits and looked gorgeous! Here’s a photo of my friend Quinn and I.

I was really happy to be invited to play on a team in the annual Seniors vs. Teachers softball game last week! My friend Nicole invited me at the last minute and I got to play with her team, who are all really lovely people. I had never played softball before, so that's another part of my Canadian experience! I even got a run and hit the ball on the first pitch, so I'm proud of myself for that. We couldn’t beat the teachers, but we were all very positive and had a good time!

Here is part of my team, showing our great teamwork! ^ 

I wrote this post for my blog I have to do for Creative Writing class but it fits on here too.

Of course I've noticed heaps of differences between New Zealand and Canada, here are the five biggest ones for me so far:

1: School - my school in New Zealand was an all girls school. 1200 girls in blue uniforms that got way too hot in summer, five year groups (Years 9-13), and a campus made up of a dozen buildings instead of just one. Sturgeon Heights is such a huge building, I still get lost, also it's strangely frustrating to have to pick out my clothes for school every day, and overall, school seems way more casual in Canada.

2: Weather - When I flew out of New Zealand it was summertime - at least 20°C everyday, and I had never experienced snow anywhere but the mountainside. Then I flew into Winnipeg where it's a good -20°C all day and there's snow everywhere. Yeah it's different! But not bad different. I find it strange that it can be so sunny, not a cloud in the sky, and yet so so cold. I'm interested to see Winnipeg warm up as I've been told it will do.

3: Sport - While New Zealand worships the ground the All Blacks walk on, Canadians watch ice hockey like there's no tomorrow. I struggle to explain what netball is (despite having played for 11 years) to Canadians, who have never even heard of it. Little differences, like that in ice hockey you don't call the penalty box the 'sin bin', continue to make my host family laugh. The enthusiasm with which almost everyone I've met so far plays, watches, and talks about sport seems more exaggerated here than back home.

4: Tim's. Tim's is great, I wish we had something like it in NZ. Tim Horton's hot chocolate is the best I've ever tasted and I've recently developed a love for the four cheese bagel.

I keep meaning to post about the things I'm up to over here but I don't get the time! I think this is definitely a good thing, I'd much rather be busy than bored!

So in the past two weeks I have:

- made some more friends at school and got invited to a couple of parties.

- been to some atmospheric basketball games in the Sturgeon Heights gym. One was the varsity boys' last home game, which they won after a very close match and I love how many people came to watch - the bleachers were completely full! Another was the varsity girls' last home game which was close as well although they didn't win, and another was a game between two other high schools in Winnipeg, and was probably the most exciting basketball game I've ever seen.

- taken part in a protest rally in central Winnipeg. Last Thursday I took part in a rally with 900 other students from around Winnipeg, as part of a group called START Winnipeg (Students Together Against Racism Today). We united to protest the allegations that Winnipeg is the most racist city in Canada, and took part in a march from Winnipeg's Legislature building, around some main streets of Winnipeg and chanting all the way. This was an amazing event to part of, even though it was -26 degrees or something equally ridiculous. It was especially good that the event was organised and run by students, showing that youth can really get stuff done when it's important to us!

- been tobogganing in the freezing cold! My face froze after about 20 minutes of sledding but it was fun nonetheless. 

Tomorrow the Grade 12s at Sturgeon are performing their 'Senior Fashion Show' which is kind of dance thing to raise money for their graduation party in June, and I'm excited to see my host sisters and friends on stage in costume, it should be a really fun event.