This week, you can expect a very special blog post because this time it’s about personal experiences that I recently had the opportunity to make. I want to tell you about a fascinating trip to Africa that took me to Ghana. This journey was part of an exciting project by the African German Health Association e.V. (AGHA), in which Instructo Consulting GmbH also played an important role. The impressions and experiences I gathered during my first foreign assignment for Instructo Consulting GmbH are unforgettable and have left a lasting impact on me.
But, as always, let’s start from the very beginning.
The Beginning of the Adventure
When I received the news that Instructo Consulting GmbH would be part of a project in Ghana, countless thoughts raced through my mind. Excitement, curiosity, and a bit of nervousness mixed together. I wondered what would await me. How would the young students in Ghana react? Would they be as eager to meet us as we were to meet them?
Preparations began immediately. It was as if a large puzzle was coming together. Thanks to my 17 years of service in the German armed forces, I already had the comprehensive vaccination coverage required for Ghana and was thus well-prepared. Each of us on the team had our specific tasks, and it felt like we were part of a grand mission. We packed our bags, loaded them with teaching materials and, of course, a lot of anticipation. The preparations were in full swing, and with each passing day, the excitement grew. It was a mix of professionalism and the expectation of an adventure that we would all experience together.
Arrival in Ghana
When we landed on site, we were greeted by typical Ghanaian May weather. It was raining! Rain in Africa was not the image I had in mind. When I thought of Africa, it was more about sun and heat, but rain definitely did not make the top 100.
Then came the next surprise: our luggage was still in Europe, exact location unknown. All the teaching materials and our personal luggage were lost somewhere between here and there. This was an unexpected setback, but we didn’t let it dampen our spirits.
At the airport, our driver greeted us with a friendly smile and a warm welcome. His positive energy was contagious and helped us temporarily forget our worries about the missing luggage.
Our destination that day was our accommodation. When we arrived there, my initial nervousness quickly dissipated. The house was cozy and inviting, and we felt immediately welcomed, even without our suitcases and despite the challenge of having to improvise.
The First Lesson
Day one of our training began with a brief introduction. To break the ice and connect with the young students, I shared an anecdote from my time in the armed forces. I talked about how discipline and teamwork are crucial in any situation, even when handling hazardous materials. This elicited a few laughs and created a relaxed atmosphere.
When I then asked the first questions, I immediately noticed a significant difference from my previous experiences in Germany, where typically individual participants would speak up. In Ghana, however, all 49 participants responded in unison. It was an impressive and unexpected moment that clearly demonstrated the enthusiasm and engagement of the students. This lively participation was both refreshing and motivating, showing how eager and ready to learn the young scientists were.
Surprises and Improvised Solutions
Of course, not everything went smoothly. The reality on the ground brought its own challenges, and we often had to adapt to unexpected situations. The power went out several times, meaning we had to continue our exercises without electricity. At one point, in the middle of an important presentation on the safe handling of hazardous materials, the lights went out, and the TVs turned off. For a brief moment, the room was silent, then everyone burst into laughter.
When the power went out for the first time, I had to think about when that had last happened to me in Germany. I remembered that I was seven years old at the time, so that was exactly 30 years ago. My reaction was a strange mix of nostalgia and determination, knowing that we had to make the best of it.
Such unexpected challenges ultimately made the experience even more valuable. Instead of getting discouraged, we took the opportunity to prove our resourcefulness. We improvised with what we had available.
The students were also undeterred. They showed remarkable adaptability and helped us find creative solutions. We gathered in small groups and used the opportunity to exchange ideas more intensively. Without the distractions of modern technology, the discussions were even more focused and profound.
These experiences taught us all important lessons in flexibility and ingenuity. It was fascinating to see how everyone on the team, both instructors and students, found creative solutions and tackled problems with humor. We laughed a lot and simultaneously learned valuable skills that went far beyond the actual subject matter.
The Arrival of Our Luggage
On Wednesday morning, we experienced a joyful highlight of our trip: the arrival of our luggage! The news reached us early in the morning, and I still remember the feeling of relief and joy that swept through our team. It was as if a great burden had been lifted off our shoulders. Finally, we had access to all our teaching materials and personal items that we so desperately needed.
The moment we drove to the airport to pick up our luggage was almost ceremonial. Our driver, who by now felt almost like an old friend, took us there with a broad grin. The friendly staff at the airport, who helped us with the pickup, were equally pleased to finally reunite us with our luggage.
When we opened the suitcases and saw our teaching materials, we felt a mix of joy and relief. The safety equipment and presentation materials we brought were intact. We now finally had the opportunity to fully utilize our resources and conduct our training as originally planned.
Farewell and Reflection
As our time in Ghana came to an end, I was overcome with a bittersweet feeling. On one hand, I was sad to say goodbye to this wonderful group of young scientists. The days had been full of intense learning moments, shared challenges, and unforgettable experiences. On the other hand, I felt pride and fulfillment. We had achieved so much together, and the positive changes we initiated were clearly visible.
As we finally said our goodbyes, I realized how much I had learned during this time. The students had not only learned from me, but I had also benefited from their enthusiasm, thirst for knowledge, and adaptability. It was a mutual enrichment that left a lasting impression on me.
Resonance of the Experience
Back in Germany, I couldn’t simply leave the experiences and impressions from Ghana behind. The experience left a deep resonance in my life. I am still in contact with some of the students and closely follow their progress. Thanks to modern communication tools, it is easy to exchange messages and stay updated on the latest developments.
It was incredibly enriching to see how the young scientists applied what they learned and advanced their projects. They were not only well-educated but also motivated to make the best of their knowledge and make their environment safer and better.
This realization fills me with a deep sense of satisfaction and gratitude. It reminds me of how important educational projects and the exchange of knowledge across cultural and geographical boundaries are. The collaboration with the students in Ghana is proof that joint learning and growth are possible and that every effort counts. In conclusion, I can say that the time in Ghana was one of the most enriching experiences of my life. It made me grow not only as an expert but also as a person. The young scientists in Ghana showed me that enthusiasm, curiosity, and commitment know no boundaries. These insights and the connection with these remarkable people will stay with me for a long time.
About the Project
This year, the Kina Foundation opened the Biomanufacturing Training Centre in Accra, Ghana. This center is dedicated to training students in various fields of the pharmaceutical industry, with a particular focus on pharmaceutical production. This training is crucial for Africa’s independence in research, management, and the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products, including vaccines.
The African German Health Association e.V. (AGHA) supports this training program with their expertise and commitment. Members of AGHA offer hands-on courses on important topics such as “Hazardous Materials,” “Health and Safety,” and “Cold Chain Logistics Management.” These courses are not only informative but also essential for future work in the pharmaceutical industry.
This significant project would not have been possible without the support of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
For more information about the African German Health Association and their projects, please visit their website or follow them on LinkedIn. There, you will find up-to-date information and detailed insights into their work and vision for the future of healthcare in Africa.
The AGHA looks forward to working together with their partners to build a strong, independent pharmaceutical future for Africa.
And with these words, I conclude this blog post and hope that you found the insights into my trip to Ghana as exciting and inspiring as I did.
Stay connected with us and subscribe to our newsletter.
We look forward to keeping you informed.
Until next time, stay safe and well-informed.
Your team
from Instructo Consulting GmbH
