Topic:
Veterinary Internship in Ghana
Written by:
Okano Norihiro, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Department of Veterinary Science
 
I interned in veterinary medicine in Ghana in Akuapem Hills, a two-hour drive from the capital, Accra. It was a significant and valuable experience.
 
I worked with a local veterinarian who treated and assisted mainly with livestock (pigs, chickens, goats, and sheep). What surprised me was the distance we had to travel to farmhouses. We used the local “Tro-Tro,” a shared-ride bus or motorcycle, to get there, and it usually took one or two, sometimes three hours. Unlike in Japan, most roads were unpaved and bumpy. The temperature was over 30 degrees Celsius. A person must be healthy and challenging to be a veterinarian in this country. There was a severe shortage of medical equipment, such as plastic bottles for mixing medicine. Water shortages were also severe, and we needed to secure a stable water supply, including tap water and sewage systems.
 
I stayed with a local host family. I experienced firsthand the Ghanaian people's cheerfulness, kindness, and diligence. Although it was only for two weeks, it was invaluable for me to think about my life and career path. In the future, I would like to engage in activities that will contribute to developing countries in any way I can.