Brenda F. McGadney, PhD, Siena Heights University
AKWAABA (Ah KWAA BA)!
Welcome to Ghana! This is the country where professional helpers and advocates, especially westerners like me, return again and again and again! Why? We feel safe, welcomed and, conveniently, English is the official language. Ghana is a fertile place for volunteerism, social development, and exchanges. Also, the generosity and kindness of Ghanaians is almost unmatched by any other country in Africa. Ghanaians proudly tell the world that they represent a country of good governance, conflict-free, economically stable, with a strong commitment to universal human rights and justice through a democratically elected government. Colonized by the British during the Presidency of Kwame Nkrumah, it was the first independent African nation in the 20th century, represented by a single black star on its flag, based on the principles of freedom and justice.
Health and Stigma, offers three reflections related to chronic disease, mental illness, and reproduction. Rebekah Urbonya’s narrative, Reflections on sickle cell disease research: Lessons learned from an American student’s collaborative research experience and travel in Ghana, shares an extraordinary journey and fresh observations of her initial visit to the continent. The author gained valuable experiences learning about barriers to health care access, differential resources, and stigma for those suffering from sickle cell disease in a hospital setting where, however, she received excellent mentorship from a pediatric physician. Second generation Ghanaian-American Lucinda Acquaye writes about Mental health issues in Ghanaian communities: From personal experience to professional obligation. Her work provides profound insights into the struggle between traditional beliefs of spirituality and modern medicine related to understanding “madness” as seen in everyday life and portrayed in “Gollywood” movies.
Readers interested in providing culturally competent mental health services globally will gain greater understanding of the role culture plays in beliefs about mental illness and treatment of this vulnerable population. Lastly, Abortion, possible and impossible: stigma and the narratives of Ghanaian doctors who provide abortions, authored by Lisa Martin, Michelle Precourt Debbink, Jane Hassinger, and Lisa H. Harris is different from all other narratives. It gives voice to Ghanaian workers on the “front lines” of abortion provision through the lens of abortion stigma as investigated by doctoral- prepared physicians and a social worker. In addition to sharing lessons learned in exploring various aspects of abortion practice, the authors present a compelling story of the ways in which abortion stigma manifests in and is reproduced by Ghanaian law, politics, and culture. Thus, they argue that advocates in the arena of reproductive justice and maternal mortality from unsafe abortions can only be effective if they address abortion stigma head-on, as they do in this narrative. Three narratives are featured in our fourth theme, Survival and Resilience (although we could argue that all the narratives in this special issue have those dynamics as underlying themes). These narratives offer stunning examples of positive images of survival and resilience of women and girls against all odds through an exploration of their faith, and empowerment through capacity-building projects by social workers and missionaries.
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As a polio survivor, Augustina Naami’s narrative, Personal reflections of resilience and survival of Ghanaian women with disabilities: A social worker and unemployed study subjects, is gripping when she shares her account of the impact of stigma, and support from family, God, and mentors in determining how she overcame a multitude of challenges that led to her becoming a scholar and leader in disability rights. Her interactions with unemployed disabled Ghanaian women provide a clearer picture of what they share in common, and of resilience. Through their stories, we can see authentic advocacy and survival strategies that can be used by practitioners in the global arena to promote self-esteem, empowerment, and sustainable development. The remaining two papers are authored by women who launched “mission” projects in Ghana with groups from the States of Michigan and Georgia. The Krisan/Sanzule refugee who inspired a Ghana ministry narrated by Rev. LaVerne McCain Gill recounts a nine-year ministry with more than 50 members going to Ghana to support several micro-economic projects, including construction of water wells. (I witnessed the development of this ministry as my family and I were members of the church.) Rev. Gill follows the development of the ministry through the travails of a Liberian refugee who lived in the camp from its inception in 1996 through 2006. The bonding between these two women is remarkable, told in true story fashion, and is well worth the read.
Lastly, author Marian Landrum Childs’ narrative, Economically empowering Ghanaian communities through patchwork quilting: Intergenerational project between female quilters in the U.S and Ghana, documents the vision, success, and cross-cultural implications of a CEO developing an income generating project. What is extraordinary about this endeavor is that Childs, a social worker, engaged elderly female quilters who had never been to the continent of Africa to mentor and facilitate the making of quilts in partnership with young Ghanaian women. This included a visit to Ghana to mutually share strategies of empowerment. The author drew from her faith to complete this paper after the sudden death in May 2011 of her 27-year-old son, a high-school football coach. In conclusion, it really does take a whole village, thus I want to acknowledge and thank a number of special colleagues and friends. Of course and first, thank you to the authors who have shared their compelling professional and personal experiences so that others may learn from them. Second, thanks to Robert Weiss, MD and his wife, Serena, who gave me sanctuary while I wrote the introduction to this issue. Thanks to colleagues Phyllis Antwi, MD, Rev. Seth Ayettey, MD, Onike Rodrigues, MD, Nana Apt, MSW, PhD, and Edith Lewis, MSW, PhD and nurse Beatrice Addoh, acquisition Librarian Gifty Boarky, and Nii Sarpei Nunoon Cultural Affairs Specialist for Exchanges at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana. A shout out to friend Steven J. Phillips of the Society of African Missions maintained in Ghana since 2005, a heart wrenching and nail-biting set of inspiring narratives of personal challenges and accomplishments aiding in the resettlement of Liberian refugees, a humbling experience that truly exemplifies the intent of this special issue.) Special thanks to the Reflections team for all their diligent behind the scenes work to make the work of all of us authors come alive on each page.
Again, AKWAABA!
