The Media in Ghana 2015 participants had the amazing opportunity to work with the Accra-based NGO, Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights. The 15 of us formed teams to create a bank of images, graphic designs, and multimedia projects that captured stories and helped ARHR with advocacy. Once divided into teams, Shirley Chan and I stationed at ARHR’s office and kept all parties on track. Our partnership was made possible with the help of Dr. Audrey Gadzekpo at the University of Ghana, and our valiant program director, Dr. Leslie Steeves; and was facilitated and advised on site by Dr. Chris Chavez.

With time on-location against us, creating these projects with social media and brand re-design strategies was no easy task. Two small group trips led us to the Mater Ecclesiae Clinic in the Volta region and Tema General Hospital just outside of Accra. Both visits required a heightened awareness of cultural sensitivities as we documented mothers enduring challenging conditions in incredibly personal situations. These trips, along with the projects at our individual internships, have inspired and motivated the work we’ve produced. ARHR continues to fight for safe maternal care for all mothers in Ghana, working against high child mortality rates and a large deficit of funds and infrastructure. Our work will help ARHR connect with mothers to make their voices heard at community and government levels. I am proud of the work we have accomplished for ARHR, as it has helped us give back to the community that so graciously took us in this summer.

Credits:


ARHR:  Vicky Okine, Director; Derick Adogla, Communications Director
ARHR Interns:  Shirley Chan and Megan Parrish
Strategy Team:  Alex Morrison, Ryan Hagen, and Ashley Cordes
Writing Team: Gretchen Henderson, Erin Hampton, Andy Field, and Frannie Monahan
Photographers: Kevin Trevellyan and Hannah Steinkopf-Frank
Multimedia Team: Shirley Chan, Joanie Margulies, and Megan Parrish
Graphic Designers: Chantel Huff, Justin Hun, and Morgan Coiner
Faculty Advisors:  Dr. Leslie Steeves and Dr. Chris Chavez
Program Partners:  Dr. Audrey Gadzekpo University of Ghana, Department of Communication Studies; Dr. Michael Williams, Aya Centre
Media in Ghana blog editor:  Mary Popish