Accra, Greater Accra Region, GhanaThe remainder of my flight into Accra was smooth and
uneventful. Ghana has built a brand-new international airport terminal, and I
flew into it for the first time at the Feast. It is very modern, with an open
design, lots of glass and quite nice looking. They even put in jet bridges that
allow one to get off a large jet without having to go up and down the portable
stairs that they used to roll from plane to plane. Just like Nigeria, they have
turned the old terminal into their domestic terminal, and the new one is only
for international flights.
But a new terminal does not do away with the inherent inefficiencies
of the system. After going through a checkpoint with a thermal camera (checking
for fever, a step that was added when ebola was a major concern in Africa), one
must go through a checkpoint for the yellow fever card. While you can get a
visa upon entry, 95% already have the visa, which you cannot get without proof
of the vaccination. But they check anyway.
Then one must wait in line for passport control. Photo is
taken, figerprints are electronically recorded, passport stamped, etc. About 10
feet after that is another set of officials who are checking to make sure you
have a passport and visa – as if somehow we might have lost all are documents
over the previous 25 seconds…
Then it is on to baggage claim. Once your bags are recovered
(and mine came through just fine), you must show your baggage claim tag to an
official who gives it a cursory glance (there
is no way he can read that many numbers on both bag and tag and know they
are the same). And perhaps 25 feet after that is another official doing the
same thing, and sometimes asking what is in your suitcase. I’ve heard of people
in the past who crack jokes about what they are carrying, but that is a REALLY
bad idea! Similar to the American TSA officials, most of these people have had
their sense of humor surgically removed.
The hotel shuttle driver was ready and waiting when I came
out. His name is Justice, and he’s picked me up before. As only a shuttle
driver can do, he knew a back way through the old airport terminal road that
cut off a great deal of traffic, and we got to the hotel fairly quickly.
The desk clerk recognized me and check in was fast – only a
signature on the paper. They have collected my passport and other information
so many times they don’t bother having me fill it all out again. I was in my
room before 9 pm.
I slept fairly well last night. My driver was to be here by
10 am, but in an extremely un-Ghanaian fashion he let me know a moment ago that
he is here over an hour early! That’s much better than being late, that’s for
sure! So I’ll send this off, zip up my suitcase and head down to Elmina.
Mary
2019-01-15
The checkpoint procedures are patience-testing, for us vicarious travelers. Glad you had a safe and speedy check-in at the hotel. Looking forward to hearing about your visits and classes.
Barbara Bellone
2019-01-15
Glad you made it safely.
CB
2019-01-15
Tks for the updates. Helps appreciate the Church's commitment and yours to the brethren around the world
Glad you made it in safety! Tha
2019-01-15
Glad you made it safely! Our prayers are with you and all the Brethren!
JL
2019-01-15
May God keep you safe in all your travels.
TESS WASHINGTON
2019-01-16
Wonderful! Sense of humor surgically removed is humorous!
Cecil Maranvlle
2019-01-16
We share your excitement and gratitude for the leadership training program in Ghana! Our prayers are with you all for its success.