Ghana 50th anniversary & Malaria

Today we have big celebration here in Ghana. It’s been 50 years since Ghana got its independence. Everybody hail to Ghana! :)

Celebrations started few days ago and will probably last few more days (naturally whole year is special). Today we have big event on Independence Square (hopefully I know the right name) with many VIP’s present from Ghana, other Africa countries and over the world.

People here have really strong patriotic spirit since I heard yesterday people came to Independence Square and stayed there during night to get good spots to watch main celebrations. Whole town and I suppose Ghana is celebrating. For couple of weeks we were asked to buy patriotic items such as: flags (whatever size you want), armbands, necklaces,
T-shirts, hats, etc; all in Ghanaian national colors. They are mostly made in China, quality is rather poor, but price is low so almost everyone can buy something!

Anyway at the moment TV is broadcasting live celebration from Independence Square, VIP’s are giving speeches – all should last till late afternoon. Than I suppose people will be walking streets and dancing (we decided no to go and see it own eyes because of traffic jams and part of city being closed for car traffic) – Accra will be crowded place today and tomorrow (today and tomorrow are free days so everyone can celebrate).

Below two pictures which hopefully will bring you a little bit of Ghanaian Independence Spirit.

I have counted 4 such flags just on adjacent buildings, imagine how many are there in whole Accra;). Being nice person;) I bought one T-Shirt, counting on modern medicine I hope to live next 50 years and come back to Ghana for 100th anniversary and sell this T-Shirt for lots of money;P

Let’s move on to second part of today’s’ note – malaria.

We (me and Ana) have it for the second time (I don’t know if I wrote about first, which was in November, last year). First time was, so to say, easy. We had our blood tested – it turned out we had malaria parasites in our blood; we took medicines and after one week all was fine, we did not even feel bad at all!.

This time is different. We had our blood tested about two weeks ago and since them we can’t get rid of parasites. Also this time we are taking different medicines but so far they did not help. Next Friday we are going to test our blood again – so cross your fingers!

Anyway this time we feel much worse – I would say malaria is like flu, strong flu;/ I really would not recommend trying it out. At the moment we feel much better so maybe it’s over:) Like I said on Friday we will know.

Local people have born resistance to malaria which is mainly caused by mosquito bites. We as “obroni” (white people) have 0 resistance to it, so each mosquito bite can cause infection – sweet isn’t it? Also there is no 100% working medicine which cures malaria – so you usually take 2 kinds of medicines hoping they will work.

Side note: from personal experience I recommend taking blood tests each time one goes to Africa, it’s safer to cure it here, than back in Europe…

On the pictures you have medicines we are currently taking. They are both made in India.