2013 - Ghana Blog - Day Two

It was surprising how we all met for breakfast on-time, after all we had transferred at Amsterdam and were now back to one hour behind the UK.  Watches, I-pads, computers all seemed to be at odds.    

Over the delights of a lavish array of cereals, fruit, pastries, not forgetting strange bacon and scrambled eggs, we contemplated the day ahead.   Would our contacts come good or would we be waiting around, lounging around the pool, and enjoying the local cocktails?

John’s thoughts turned to his new found specialism involving the management of the kid’s activities.

Our thoughts were turning to the lounging part of the agenda when our contacts arrived and announced our itinerary for the day.  The Special Projects Co-ordinator would see us in 60 minutes (apparently that’s how it happens, only it is usual for the meeting to be arranged only for the person you have agreed to see turns out to be unavailable for a variety of reasons).  We were assured that our visit was seen as something “special” and the Presidents Co-ordinator had made special time and was looking forward to meeting us.       

We strode confidently outside the hotel on the understanding that the mosquitoes were probably in bed, to be met by 30 degrees of stifling heat.  The trusty Land cruiser rolled up and we were soon on our way to the Castle (the original seat of the colonial power), slowly slicing through the traffic (on the opposite side of the road, flashing headlights and beeping our horn).  Accra appears to be the only city in the world where it is quicker to walk than to drive!  Sitting in traffic was to become an intrinsic part of our daily routine.

As we pulled up at the traffic light (yes Ghana has them, in fact plenty of them) the Tesco strapline became a reality – we stopped they shopped).  Now, if you have ever been stuck at the traffic lights on the A40 and been approached to buy flowers by a man putting his life on the line, you might be able to get the picture. 

Imagine a whole army of these people selling a whole range of goods including, food, toiletries, phone cards, coat hangers, socks, shoes and spray starch.  These sellers don’t need a warehouse to store their goods, they just balance everything on their heads whilst walking down the line of slowly moving traffic. Truly amazing.

In fact, you could have done your weekly shopping, in-car rather than on-line.     

Having snail paced our way to the Castle avoiding pot holes, street-traders, and numerous obstacles, we composed ourselves to meet the President’s official task-force co-ordinator who was responsible for turning dreams into reality.

Expecting to be kept waiting, we were whisked in to our appointment with Dr Stephen Ayidiya and his assistant Dr Baezie who set out the President’s key election promise to build 200 schools and 60 hospitals.  We considered that Civil Technologies was well placed to be awarded these projects. 

We were, of course, armed with a letter from the UK Government (UK Export Finance) expressing commitment to help Ghana with its social projects. We had also met with several UK banks who expressed an appetite for providing funding (on a no risk basis of course).

Our enthusiasm and energy for the project must have been infectious as Dr Ayidia provided us with key project specifications for schools and hospitals (plus an airport or three) and provided a Government commitment to work with Civil Technologies (on special Presidential green paper).             

Returning through the traffic and deciding to give up the chance to buy a three piece suite, a range of oak doors and a double bed, we arrived back at the hotel to draft our proposal which we needed to present the next day to all Presidential Task Force members.  Being a Civil Engineer, John thought that this task was best left to the consultants and left to order the drinks.

It was to be a long night. How would we manage without a screen – projector (or a screen for that matter), had we done enough research, did we understand what took priority in a priority projects initiative and what was the government’s decision making process?

Our contacts provided invaluable insight, guiding us through the process of government, which aspects were particularly important to the task-force, how to approach a High ranking Task Force member and, more importantly, keep him interested.  

Presentation completed and as night had fallen (5pm) we felt that the mosquitoes may have returned to work so we decided to call it a night and “face-time” home.  

A full itinerary of ministerial meetings beckoned.  We had also arranged our own meetings with accountants, lawyers, a recruitment agency and a guy by the name of Mahmud from a Ghanaian bank.  

Day 3 follows tomorrow.