A CHARITY that was based in Okehampton has carried out its latest project in Ghana. RAPID-International develops and implements disaster response training to areas across the globe prone to disaster or emergency situations. Its latest project has been to send a 4x4 Land Rover ambulance and all necessary equipment to Ghana. The charity appealed to the Okehampton community to support the project, which at one point was £2,000 over budget. The ambulance was destined to go to the upper eastern region of Ghana to the village of Wakii, in a huge area of rugged, hilly terrain. The roads are in a poor state, with the sandy, stony surfaces being washed away in the wet season leaving, deep, large potholes. The region is predominantly agricultural, with the vast majority of the population relying on it for their food and income. This means the weather plays a very important role in the welfare of the population. This year, the weather has led to only one crop of maize, instead of three. Project co-ordinator Graham Payne visited the local district health centre at Tongo, which covers the Wakii area, meeting with the director Evelyn Naaso Domeh and her staff. Graham said that equipment and drugs available to the small centre is limited. The district hospital was equally limited, with cardboard being used for splinting a patient. Mr Payne said that the day they handed over the ambulance was a special day indeed. 'It was remarkable. It was held in grounds of Wakii School. 'Those present included the local MP The Hon Robert Doameng Mosove, district chief executive the Hon Edward Awonnorre, councillors, the parish priest, the district health officer, school governors and most important of all, the huge crowd of local people and all the chiefs from the surrounding areas whose villages will benefit from having this ambulance. 'There was dancing and singing and great euphoria from everyone present at having their own ambulance. 'The district health officer promised me that the ambulance will be very well looked after. 'This community is quite remarkable. I have never experienced a community spirit quite like this anywhere. 'They share everything and look after each other. It is something we could all learn from.' The next phase of the project is to keep an eye on the crop situation, develop the ambulance training programme, and for the long term improvement of first aid and health in the area, a St John Ambulance brigade. To find out how to support the project, call Graham on 01837 851681 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]