By Dr. Michael Dike
I had embarked on many adventurous trips, but my last journey to Ghana has perpetually remained engraved in my memory. I had been invited to Ghana to deliver a medico-scientific paper to a group of fellow family doctors at a conference. Ghana is a vibrant country located in West Africa. I must say that traveling to Ghana by road and navigating through unfamiliar roads and landscapes of West Africa, encountering diverse wildlife, and experiencing different climates is not only immensely pleasurable but also contributes to a sense of excitement and wonder.
My journey to Ghana began from Lagos with high hopes and excitement. In fact, from the moment I left Lagos and arrived in Ghana, there was no dull moment. As I was getting closer to Ghana, I witnessed through the window of the bus an ever-changing scenery that provided a sense of awe and wonder at the natural beauty of Ghana.
Upon arriving in Ghana, I was immersed in the rich culture and warm hospitality of the Ghanaian people. One of the first places I visited was Elmina in Ghana’s Central Region, where I participated in the conference and delivered my paper. After the conference, I traveled to Accra to spend a few days with some of my medical doctor friends at the University of Ghana, Legon. I was able to socialize with many people from various strata of Ghanaian society – taxi drivers, buyers, sellers, passers-by, and some students from the nearby University of Cape Coast.
Afterward, I headed to the lush rainforests of Kakum National Park. Walking along the Canopy Walkway, suspended high above the ground, I felt a mix of fear and awe as I observed the breathtaking views of the forest below. Ghana’s beautiful coastline was another highlight of the trip. I spent lazy days on the sandy beaches of Busua, enjoying the warm sun and the sound of waves crashing on the shore.
Ghana is a safe haven. There is no insecurity of lives and property in Ghana. In Ghana, you can leave the doors of your house ajar, and no armed robber or kidnapper would stroll in to rob or kidnap you. In Ghana, you can freely stop in small villages, visit local markets, and engage with friendly Ghanaians, learning about their traditions, music, dance, and art.
I was particularly captivated by the maturity and responsibility of my young Ghanaian friends. Being a Catholic, I needed to attend Mass in a Catholic Church. Fortunately for me, I was in Ghana on June 26, which is the Feast Day of St. Josemaria Escriva, the Founder of Opus Dei. Through Godsway and Nicholas, who came recently to Lagos with Elvis, I gathered that several Masses in honor of St. Josemaria Escriva would be celebrated in Accra, Ghana. In preparation for the Masses, Nicholas volunteered to design flyers and was assisted by Stanley from Lagos, while Godsway took charge of publicity. We then began visiting the parishes to finalize the arrangements with the priests and some parishioners. While all these plans were underway, Fr. James, a priest from another Diocese, heard about our plans at St. Thomas Aquinas, the university parish at Legon, and he immediately announced that he wanted to concelebrate in the Masses. I eventually convinced him to celebrate in his parish, St. Mary’s, in Asamankese, about two hours’ drive from Accra. Fr. James had his initial encounter with Opus Dei in 2019, during a vacation in London, where he met a married couple that told him about it. On his return to Ghana, he was connected with Fr. Boni in Lagos, and the two have remained in touch ever since. He was introduced to a WhatsApp group where he could learn more things, and he has since been an active participant.
In the course of organizing the Masses, my friends Godsway, Kwame, and John helped sell copies of “The Way,” a spiritual bestseller written by St. Josemaria Escriva. Fr. William, a chaplain of one of the parishes, invited me to talk about St. Josemaría, his vocation, and how Opus Dei came to Africa. I did that in about five minutes just before Fr. William’s Mass. In fact, before the Mass, Fr. William encouraged the undergraduate students to follow in the footsteps of St. Josemaria.
Marie-Therese, a final-year student of Political Science and Spanish at the University of Ghana, recounted afterward: “I had seen prayer cards of St. Josemaría in the adoration chapel. I read it once but didn’t really pay attention. A friend invited me for the feast day Mass on the eve of the feast, and I was also moved to buy a copy of ‘The Way,’ which I love so much because it gives me practical points for achieving sanctity. At the Mass, I was inspired to pray for all the faithful of Opus Dei, and that this message grows and reaches everyone on this earth.”
To my friend Nicholas, “Opus Dei has taught me that my struggle for holiness consists of sanctifying my studies. The feast day Mass was a blessing for me.” Anyway, at the end of these Masses, many went home with a prayer card of St. Josemaria. Some collected the prayer cards to share with their friends and loved ones. All the copies of “The Way” were sold out.
I must confess that I enjoyed my stay in Ghana. Apart from enjoying the beautiful Ghanaian landscapes and making many Ghanaian friends, the Ghanaian cuisine is a delight for the taste buds. I ate and savored the traditional Ghanaian dishes like jollof rice, banku, fufu, and a variety of delicious street food, which made my gastronomic experience a memorable part of the journey. I ate more Ghanaian food. I especially relished the Waakye (pronounced WAH-chay, made of rice and beans) and the Ghana jollof rice. I bonded with many Ghanaian friends and families. I met young and not-so-young people who are fascinated by my medical profession and the message of Opus Dei – finding God in everyday ordinary life.
All in all, traveling to Ghana by road offers the freedom to explore nature at one’s own pace, making it a truly pleasurable and enriching way to discover a fascinating West African country. I look forward to returning to Ghana, the land of natural beauty. Moreover, I anticipate sharing the open road’s cultural experiences and overcoming challenges to strengthen relationships and create cherished memories.
Dr. Michael Dike, Department of Family Medicine, Niger Foundation Hospital, Enugu.
