The trip to the Parliament

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Trip Start Jun 22, 2008 Previous
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  Accra, Ghana
Thursday, June 26, 2008

Heyall,
So another day has passed in Ghana.  Its so funny, but we get tired here so early, I think in large part because it gets dark by 5:30pm, but also probably because of our really full days.  Today we woke up early, and by 8am were supposed to be ready.  We were but there were some transportation issues and we were picked up at 9am.  We then rushed off to the parliament where we sat in on a part of the session.  The parliament is back since only a week, and there were some very good discussions, and also some rather long speeches about fisheries and land issues mostly.  After that we went to meet with an MP.  I don't remember his name but he is in the governing party and he speaks out a lot about corruption and government accountability.  It was a good talk.  After that we met up with another MP, this time a Minister, whom Justice knows well.  She invited us to have some soy kebabs and yogurt.  It was SO nice of her to do that because we were starving! The hostel we are staying at does not really have any food available, and its hard to eat when you're rushing from one place to another and don't really know the area.  After eating we went to meet the head of the civil service.  So far this was my favourtie discussion session we've had.  It was so pertinent!  Maybe because i've worked in the civil service, or maybe I plan to work there again, it was a fantastic and quick way to learn about how the Ghanian government system works.  They are very similar to our parliamentary system, but there are some significant differences - like a president!  So far, I've been very impressed with the people I've met.  They are passionate about their country, trying hard to change it, and so incredably intelligent and knowledgeable about their affairs.  I'm VERY impressed.  After we met with the HR head, we finally picked up cellphones! it was very random, a random shop by the side of the road, but it worked!  And we only sent in the driver and Justice, I noticed that the prices were almost doubled when us, the Obruni people - White people in the local dialect, walked into the store.  So I have a cell phone now, yay!  We also went to the brand new Accra mall, its very like ours in Canada.  We had some quick food and went to the super market to get some things we couldn't find at the market earlier.  We came home, played some frisbee in the courtyard, went to the "death market" (it's very dark) that turned out to be super friendly and cheap, and now I'm here at the internet cafe.  It has been a great day.  Tomorrow we have to be up early again, this time we're heading over night to Kumasi to check out the Asanti castles etc.  It should be a good weekend (well, friday and saturday) and I'm sure I'll have lots to say.  I've wanted to upload some pictures for a few days now, but the internet speed is ridiculously slow! So I'll upload some later... maybe when our days are not so busy :)
Muah!
Ela

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