we are on Friday 05 June. For some time, we have been advised that an ophthalmic consultation campaign is holding in Bè Community Center. Our team has gone there to meet patients and the ophthalmologist.

The eye and its diseases
The first time we have met Dr. Kokouvi Akpabli-Honu, we were surprised to find ourselves in front of a young and kind Ghanaian but who can not pronounce any French word. We decided to share our knowledge in English language. We make it simple to move patients in consultation. It sounded 09h in the morning and we were not the first patients of the day. We therefore pay a consultation which costs1000FCFA. This coupon entitles us to diagnose the state of our eyes.
The first-stage of the consultation was the administration of drops in both eyes. It gives an unpleasant burning. Then the doctor asked us some questions on possible eyes precedent problems. After the questions, we go to the refract meter. We must close the curtains to get a relative obscurity. The results of the analysis are clear: we suffer from myopia.
The doctor smiled and said, “You have never worn glasses, it’s weird because the problem you have is innate and hereditary. Once you cross the threshold of the firm, I knew that there would be a problem. People with such big eyes are often myopic”.
This diagnosis does not surprise us because the decision of the consultation is not accidental and is due to the observation of the inability to see far.

After that, he asked us to read on a table of letters whose sizes are smaller on any stage. The doctor is trying different lenses medical knowledge which is tailored to us. It is the purpose of the exercise. After a while the Kokouvi Akpabli-Honu said that “it is corrective lenses you need and review in two years we will see how evil and what to do.”
We must pay for the drops 2500F and 25,000 for the glasses we will look back in a week. It is at this moment that we reveal to the doctor that we are actually reporting. He is happy and we can follow the consultations of the day.
After that, Afoutou Mr. Benjamin, 59 years old, arrived for a consultation. Two years ago, it has been prescribed glasses by Dr. Akpabli and there he comes to the review as he had advised the doctor. The analysis revealed that his disease has worsened. According to the doctor, the macula is damaged and he can no longer read without glasses but the actual glasses are no longer appropriate. He needed new ones.
To the question when what was the source of his illness, Mr. Afoutou explained that he has suffered from chickenpox in childhood and it has damaged his eyesight. Dr. Akpabli confirms that chickenpox often has negative effects on vision. He added that the deterioration of the condition of the patient since the last consultation was not only due to age but also by the negligence of advices because according to him, “you must wear the glasses at any time. It does away only to go to bed or toilet.”
Mr. Afoutou recognized he rarely wears his glasses. He does so only when he wants to read because he finds their port binding. He pays a sum of 25,000 francs for his new glasses and leaves of the ophthalmologist.
After him comes a young man with a form to ask the price of glasses: 20000F with option of a class to mount more 35000f.
Immediately after, came another who suffers from myopic according the analysis. He explained that he had already consulted ophthalmologist two years ago when he was passing but lost his glasses. Yet he explains, “I feel that I do not see much and I have a car. I’m very scared of causing accidents. That is why I came back for me to make other glasses. The doctor found a solution to his problem after testing and 20000F pay with the promise to return later for glasses.
He left the doctor around 13 pm. The doctor announced a break. We took the opportunity to discuss with him this campaign.

Go to the patients
Dr Akpabli explains that “this campaign has started since 2005. It was a humanitarian initiative funded by the U.S. but I have held to sustain. So every year I come to my patients 2 or 3 times a year. Before, when I come, I get a lot of people a day. Today, I have fewer patients to consult as many have already been addressed and most come for the reviews (he shows the stacks of registration cards with a photo on his desk).
To the question of eye diseases that frequently during his visit, he explained that he meets all kinds: there are drugs that can treat. But in most cases we need corrective lenses, “he explains. The glasses are made in a factory in Accra.
“Now there will be a branch of my clinical Adafienu, near the border of Aflao. So my patients who will need me can easily make the travel. The clinic is located in Accra, “he adds. But he added that when he comes, he usually calls his patients he has the numbers to remind them of the revisions.
We leave the doctor Akpabli taking with us the advice not to expose too much in light of the computer and take care of our eyes because because “it can not be bought at the market.”

Nadia ZIBILILA

During two weeks, we have discussed about conflict transformation and peace building. It was not easy for we francophone people but I was awarded that the course was in English. Even if sometimes, my locution was laughable, I wanted to participate and it has been a big experience to see somebody laughing about my speaking.

“Conflict transformation and peace building”, the theme has concerned every participant because all of us have our experience of conflict in our own country or in the neighbour country.

Wolfram Zunzer and Sabine Hammer have been our lecturers. They have been so closed with us and that has facilitated our comprehension. Talking about Sierra Leone civil war, the Niger Delta conflict, Casamance conflict…was easier because we have had the opportunity to discuss with participants from these countries. And the fact that they are directly concerned by the conflict and they have lived the situation has an importance according to me.

Sabine has shared with us her experience in west Timor. She has been helped by Mme Ajoa Yeboah-Afari, an experienced journalist. Gender has been a subject I have particularly appreciated as a woman journalist. I have confirmed my conviction that I can improve myself as journalist even if I am a woman.

Our excursion in Cape Coast has been an emotional moment for all of us. As African, I have felt the same pain as when I have visited Gorée Isle in Senegal. Slavery will always be a painful remembrance for me.

Another particular moment was the visit of Kofi Annan training center. I wish I could return to write about this center in the future.

Now I can send an e-mail to my entire new friend because we have together our network: WANJOP (West African network journalists for peace building). It is an adventure which is starting and I like it. I know like that I can still speak my “English”, laugh with them and learn from them.

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