Sheila Goes Ghana 2022

COVID Update

What kind of “reporter” would I be without touching upon COVID at least once as the pandemic winds down?

Well let’s actually make that a +1 confirmed cases. “There are now 169,386 confirmed COVID cases in Ghana as of today” is what I was told this afternoon at the Ghana Immigration office😳

This morning I had to take the 3hr trek back to the Immigration Office in the Capitol City of Accra to extend my 60 day Visa for 4 more months so I can finish this trip. So even though I didn’t have to take a COVID test when I entered this country 9 weeks ago, I had to pay to take one today in order to get my Visa extension approved?? Seriously?? Elvis our coordinator came with me. He said today’s COVID testing was just another government scam to collect more money from the foreigners … 30 min later I was told I had a positive test! They repeated the test and said I was still positive. I was shocked because I am vaccinated, double boosted and I never had COVID in the USA-yet I came to a country that had virtually no COVID and THAT’S where I got it?

Elvis was really upset. He was convinced that this was just more government scamming so they could reject my Visa extension and collect more money out of me to do this whole process over again in a week. Thankfully Elvis was able to pull some strings and get my Visa approved in spite of this circus before we left Accra. Elvis is the Man!!

But sadly, we couldn’t prove they were lying about those positive results so now we all had to go into full COVID precautions here at the volunteer house. Elvis and I were supposed to run a bunch of errands in the city but had to turn around and head home instead. Everyone back here at the house had to be COVID tested, several people were really worried that they might end up in quarantine and not be able to return to their home countries at the end of this week. I was concerned that I was going to have to be removed from the volunteer house and put in a hotel back in Accra to quarantine.

In the end, everyone here tested negative!….

…and when I got back tonight and did my own test, so was I!! 🥳 / 🤬

So yes, the “positive” COVID test at the Immigration Office earlier today was bogus and thankfully we are all together and healthy tonight here at “home”.

As I process all if this, it wasn’t an awful day but quite upsetting none the less for several reasons:

1. I have had a cold for 2 weeks, that stomach bug hit Me really hard in the middle of this cold and I have mostly lost my sense of smell with this cold…so it was possible that the positive test was accurate and I did have COVID. That made for a long ride home with a mask on wondering how quarantine would play out!?!

2. If I had COVID, I would have exposed many people here over the last 2 weeks, including Elvis and our driver today. I heard there was a lot of understandable worry here at the house this afternoon around several people possibly not being able to leave Ghana to go home.

3. I paid ~10K out of my own pocket to come here on this trip to help the people of Ghana. And I spent about $500 to extend my Visa today so I can continue to help yet I got milked for more money by some of Ghana’s Government officials!?! Come on People!!

I have a message for you morally-inept characters ….”Stop squeezing people who are here to help your country….and Kiss my American A** you Crooks!!! Now get your hands out of your slimy pockets and go take care of your beautiful, desperate people. They need us”.

OK, vent session over. 😇 Time to unwind and put this saga to rest. I really am grateful for all of Elvis’ help today and equally as glad to rejoin the 3 new ICU nurses from the UK (aka the British Invasion😘) tomorrow morning as we head back into the clinic to help the people of Ghana (in spite of their not-so-stellar governmental treatment)….oops. apparently not done venting so I’d best go.

Night night.

Sheila O

12 responses to “COVID Update”

  1. Sheila, I am so sorry to hear that you haven’t felt well. You a strong and resilient and will be back to 100% in no time. That is horrible what the government there is doing to people who are helping their own people. Shame on them!!! Remember you are doing amazing things for so many people. Take care of yourself my dear friend!❤️❤️

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  3. OMG Sheila

    What a story!

    I’m so glad you are ok and all the other people are ok too. Also glad that you awful cold is finally behind you. I hope you can stay well for the rest of your trip!

    I’m sorry the government people were so dishonest. It’s so disheartening ☹ and I don’t like it when people don’t treat wonderful you with love and respect!

    Hope you have a good night’s sleep.

    ❤ and hugs, Rachel

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  4. WOW! How disheartening to know that the very people you helping are taking advantage of your kindness!!! They don’t know who they are dealing with! Stay true to your convictions and what you know to help the majority! Your heart is in the right place, so I cannot see this going awry.
    Are you thinking of staying longer than 6 months?
    You truly are an inspiration of the Good Samaritan, taking care of your fellow man and woman. Do not let anyone discourage you or take the wind out of your sails. There is good and bad everywhere.
    Take care of yourself. We continue to pray for your mission! ❤️ Diane

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  5. Thank you Diane💗 I won’t let them deter Me, I just needed a good vent😇
    I am staying here 6mo in total. I had applied for a 6mo Visa right from the start but they would only give Me 60 days. Then I had to apply for a 4mo extension which is what I was doing yesterday. Elvis said that is another way they get more money out of the foreigners.
    Onward, upward and Tawanda Baby!! Thank you for your words of encouragement 💗🤗💗

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  6. Wow! What a crazy situation! I hope all goes smoother from now on in that arena. So ironic, such beautiful happy people who live there and the government is more than inept. So many countries like that.
    Praying for you everyday my dear friend. Praying for your health, happiness and your great adventure.
    Love you, Laurie

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  8. Yes thanks, Elvis is my main man with the African Plan! He is 26yo going on 40yo! He really looks out for all of us volunteers beautifully.

    He calls Me Mum as that is a sign of respect here to an elder woman. But Keenan needn’t worry, he will always be my #1 son 💗

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  10. No one messes with our Sheila! I am outraged by all of this!! Truly disheartening and a disgrace on their part. They should be rolling out the red carpet for you and all the volunteers helping their people! I’m thankful that you are OK, and thankful that you have Elvis on your side to watch out for you! Keep doing your magic, Sheils! We love you and think you’re amazing! And I think you should send this post to whoever is in charge at that Immigration office so they can make the change for future volunteers! And they can kiss my American A** too! Good Grief! xxxooo

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  11. The government fleecing foreigners doesn’t surprise me . Dick’s cousin went to a restaurant in Kport and didn’t leave a tip BECAUSE she said they would never see her again anyway. So regular people, governments, makes no difference .Some people are just plain ,is ignorant the word I want, or stupid, selfish, greedy SOBs.
    It seems that some governments just don’t care about their own people and the fact you are there to help is not in the least important to them. It is so sad.

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  12. Alleluia Sister!!
    Also, it’s SO nice to have you back on my blog Betty. I’m very grateful that you and Dick were able to weather the storm…Ian only showed how resilient you are!!💗

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