For several months now I have been trying to buy a house so that I can get a rental income as money in the bank gets so little interest.
There are lots of houses on the market but finding one that has the necessary documentation is proving very difficult. So far we have been shown documents for the wrong house with a name pasted on and photocopied, documents which claim to show that the person owns the land but it is not recognised by the authorities and a failed search at the Lands Department because the owners had mortgaged the land.
We finally thought we had cracked it when we saw just the house we wanted and the necessary
documentation was held by the bank as the owner had taken a loan using the house as collateral. However when we went to try and view the house we were told there was a tenant and it was too short notice. We then went to talk to the bank and were willing to take the sale to the next stage so sent a sale and purchase agreement to the owner in America mentioning the tenant. He was adamant there wasn't a tenant so we then arranged with his brother here, who had Power of Attorney, to view the house. We organised a time and duly turned up - but the brother didn't!
After the shock of finding out the house was definitely tenanted the brother in America finally decided he would sell the house to someone else!
This week we tried another route - an auction! It was a nice house in a nice area and had been foreclosed. Unfortunately there were caretakers living there - an old couple - who looked very worried about losing their home. We missed out on the auction and I don't feel too bad as I wouldn't have liked to have to force people out on to the street.
Now it is back to the drawing board and we are just waiting for the perfect property to appear!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Christmas time again!
I just looked at my blog, which I haven't maintained this year, and realised that last entry was Christmas last year! I thought that once I retired time would drag but this year seems to have gone more quickly than ever.
As I look back I don't seem to have done that much. I did begin the year by tutoring a Bangladeshi boy who had come to Ghana with his parents and was starting at a school which had British based curriculum. I enjoyed the sessions but not the driving! It usually took me an hour -on a good day- to get to where he lived and an hour to get back. I am not a person who drives for fun and the effort of driving to the tutoring sessions 4 times a week proved too much and so I stopped in March but I hope I gave him a good start so that he could benefit from the things he was learning at school.
Since then I have worked with an Argentinian guy who wants to improve his written English and this is proving much more interesting and as it is only once a week, can face the battle with the Accra traffic.
Apart from the work, we hosted a Canadian girl who is volunteering here in Ghana. As this was the first time for us to open our home to a stranger we were a bit apprehensive about how it might affect our home life but she was the perfect person to host as she didn't intrude into our lives at all and was very self-sufficient and most of all she ate all the food we prepared! As we eat our variation of Ghanaian food with lots of pepper (chilli) that was amazing. At least that was a good preparation for her move to live with a Ghanaian family in the 'bush'! Not sure that living in our house with all its mod cons would prepare her for that though! She'll be staying with us over Christmas so we'll find out how she coped.
The biggest drama of the year was returning from a trip overseas to find that t
he guy who looked after the house while we were away had crashed our car into the gate post! He had asked the mechanic who had repaired the car if he could drive it back to the house after he had taken if for a test drive - not mentioning that he didn't know how to drive. He must have thought that, because it was automatic, he knew what to do! Of course he couldn't negotiate the entrance to the house and crashed, hurting his own chest and causing the mechanic to break the windscreen with his head!! Neither were wearing seat belts!
he guy who looked after the house while we were away had crashed our car into the gate post! He had asked the mechanic who had repaired the car if he could drive it back to the house after he had taken if for a test drive - not mentioning that he didn't know how to drive. He must have thought that, because it was automatic, he knew what to do! Of course he couldn't negotiate the entrance to the house and crashed, hurting his own chest and causing the mechanic to break the windscreen with his head!! Neither were wearing seat belts! It meant that not only did we have to spend quite a lot on repairs we also had to get another person to work around the house - which was a trial in itself!
Here is a picture showing the damage to the car. I think in the UK it would have been a write-off but here the mechanics are able to perform magic and now it looks as good as new - almost!!
However, the saddest part of the year revolves around the poor medical care in this country and the lack of professionalism of the medical profession. My husband's brother contracted hepatitis. Apparently it is prevalent in the village where he lives. In fact, the health department conducted a survey and discovered that about 14% of the population of the village had it. Unfortunately it seems it was only a statistical survey and the people they tested were not informed as to the results of the tests. As a result his brother only found out he had chronic hepatitis when it was in an advanced stage. Then the doctors prescribed a dose of medicine that was designed for people in the first stages of hepatitis and at the end of two months of treatment he was worse than when he started it.
He is staying with us at the moment and it is so sad to see such a young man suffering as a result of such inept treatment. My husband is now doing everything to try and get him well again and we have our fingers crossed that with the correct medication and a good diet and rest, his brother will make a good recovery.
Looking back on the year, there has been a lot of joy and happiness but the worry related to his brother's illness is going to affect our Christmas this year but we can only hope that a New Year will bring renewed hope.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Christmas lunch!
I suppose I shouldn't have been suprised to see a goat in our garden when I got up on Thursday morning! My brother-in-law had been given it along with some yam and tinned fish and meat. It was quite a cute-looking thing but there was no point in getting sentimental as I knew it was destined to become Christmas dinner!
I'm not a vegetarian and also am not squeamish about killing an animal - as long as I don't have to do the killing! I remember as a small child seeing my dad kill a variety of animals for our dinner and he also dressed hens and turkeys at Christmas to sell on the market so I am quite aware where food comes from and realise that is why it is being raised. I do object to the way animals are kept on intensive farms, but that is another subject!
Fortunately the guy who helps us around the house was quite willing to kill it and prepare it, so a couple of hours after it disappeared from our garden, its carcase was hanging in our laundry room ready for preparing the next day.
I can only hope they killed it in a humane way as I still have memories of some teachers in Papua New Guinea setting about a pig with baseball bats trying to kill it for some feast!
I can tell you that the goat tasted great! We had roasted goat leg on Christmas Eve and light soup with goat meat for Christmas lunch!
I'm not a vegetarian and also am not squeamish about killing an animal - as long as I don't have to do the killing! I remember as a small child seeing my dad kill a variety of animals for our dinner and he also dressed hens and turkeys at Christmas to sell on the market so I am quite aware where food comes from and realise that is why it is being raised. I do object to the way animals are kept on intensive farms, but that is another subject!
Fortunately the guy who helps us around the house was quite willing to kill it and prepare it, so a couple of hours after it disappeared from our garden, its carcase was hanging in our laundry room ready for preparing the next day.
I can only hope they killed it in a humane way as I still have memories of some teachers in Papua New Guinea setting about a pig with baseball bats trying to kill it for some feast!
I can tell you that the goat tasted great! We had roasted goat leg on Christmas Eve and light soup with goat meat for Christmas lunch!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Ghanaians can fix it!
Getting things fixed in Ghana seems easy after waiting for a visit from the typical British workman who rarely comes at a time they have promised - usually days from when the problem started and then charge the earth just to look. Here there always seems someone on hand who can fix whatever it is needs fixing.
When we were here in February buying things for the house we bought a washing machine only to find it didn't fit in the laundry room. Off went Kobe to find a workman who returned in minutes, took off the door, in went the machine and the door was back on in no time at all.
Getting a car fixed is just as easy. My brother-in-law had bump in the car and it was only off the road a matter of days before it was reutrned looking as good as new.
There is a downside however as unless you actually stand over the workmen you can never be sure they are fitting the correct part or really know what they are doing. My husband's car had a problem with the aircon and instead of fitting the correct part they botched
up the job with one that was far too powerful and when the engine was idling the car would shake violently and often the engine would cut out so it meant turning off the aircon when we were stopped in traffic - the very time we needed it most! Eventually he had to have it replaced - an added expense to the amount already spent with the first 'repair'.
And this seems to be another problem - you get something fixed only for it to break down again shortly afterwards and then the repair has to be repaired by someone else who had a different idea as to what is really needed.
But for the most part I have been impressed by the speed and efficiency of the Ghanaian workman and their willingness to help.
When we were here in February buying things for the house we bought a washing machine only to find it didn't fit in the laundry room. Off went Kobe to find a workman who returned in minutes, took off the door, in went the machine and the door was back on in no time at all.
Getting a car fixed is just as easy. My brother-in-law had bump in the car and it was only off the road a matter of days before it was reutrned looking as good as new.
There is a downside however as unless you actually stand over the workmen you can never be sure they are fitting the correct part or really know what they are doing. My husband's car had a problem with the aircon and instead of fitting the correct part they botched
up the job with one that was far too powerful and when the engine was idling the car would shake violently and often the engine would cut out so it meant turning off the aircon when we were stopped in traffic - the very time we needed it most! Eventually he had to have it replaced - an added expense to the amount already spent with the first 'repair'.
And this seems to be another problem - you get something fixed only for it to break down again shortly afterwards and then the repair has to be repaired by someone else who had a different idea as to what is really needed.
But for the most part I have been impressed by the speed and efficiency of the Ghanaian workman and their willingness to help.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Plastic Bags
Today there is a discussion in Ghana about the disposal of rubbish which is becoming a big issue as there doesn't seem to be an effective policy. The rubbish that is collected in just dumped into a big hole with no provision made for different types of waste.
One thing that struck me on my last visit to the UK was the lack of plastic bags. Where once everyone had lots of plastic bags around their homes taking up drawer and cupboard space now it is very difficult to find one even when you need one.
How different from here where they are handed out in profusion and the checkout girls look at your very strangely if you refuse one. We have a couple of cupboards full of the things already after only a few months in the country and I have no idea what to do with them.
This week in the budget there was a levy introduced on plastic items but no mention was made of plastic bags.
I only hope it won't be long before there is a charge made for each plastic bag used as was done in Hong Kong and there people started using alternative bags for their purchases without any negative effects on their shopping habits.
Cutting down on the use of plastic bags will have a positive effect on the environment with very little effect on daily life.
One thing that struck me on my last visit to the UK was the lack of plastic bags. Where once everyone had lots of plastic bags around their homes taking up drawer and cupboard space now it is very difficult to find one even when you need one.
How different from here where they are handed out in profusion and the checkout girls look at your very strangely if you refuse one. We have a couple of cupboards full of the things already after only a few months in the country and I have no idea what to do with them.
This week in the budget there was a levy introduced on plastic items but no mention was made of plastic bags.
I only hope it won't be long before there is a charge made for each plastic bag used as was done in Hong Kong and there people started using alternative bags for their purchases without any negative effects on their shopping habits.
Cutting down on the use of plastic bags will have a positive effect on the environment with very little effect on daily life.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Driving
I am getting mentally prepared for my drive to the bank today!
I've never really enjoyed driving and just thought of it more of a necessity and it was quite a relief when I was first posted overseas to leave the car behind. I didn't actually drive again until I returned to PNG in 1994. My partner and I got a small Suzuki and I used to drive down to Lae, an adventure in itself as the route was down a winding mountain track which sometimes became impassable when rains caused landslides and the rivers changed to become raging torrents which washed away bridges and altered their path overnight.
From there I went to Kundiawa and was often seen travelling up and down the Highlands Highway to collect my partner who came for his fieldbreak. Although this wasn't recommended, especially for women travelling alone, I was lucky and nothing untoward happened.
In Porgera, my driving usually consisted of going to the store to stock up once a week, although I sometimes helped on the drive down to Mount Hagen, a 5 or 6 hour drive which enabled us to visit the stores and have a night out at the club.
One of the benefits of living in Hong Kong is the fantastic transport system which is cheap and efficient. I lived above an underground station (MTR) and just by going down in the lift I had access to most places and those I couldn't get to by MTR I could reach by bus, as most of the main routes were accessible just a few steps away from my building.
Now driving has become a necessiby again and if you can imagine any big city at rush hour, that is what it is like going from here to Accra - only worse! Not only do you have to face traffic jams but some chaotic driving practices. The main offenders are the trotro (minibus) drivers and taxis who pull in and pull out of the lanes of traffic with little concern for other road users. Apart from them there are the vehicles which break down causing other cars to have to negotiate them by weaving in and out of the lanes. They always seem to break down at junctions or traffic lights causing even more difficulty.
Many hawkers take the opportunity to ply their wares to the stationary traffic and offer everything from toilet rolls to bottled water. They carry their wares on their heads as they move between the cars and can often be seen running after a moving vehicle to make a sale.
Some times are worse than others and rush hour is the worst. Some people have to get up at 4 am just to make it to work for 8 am. and coming home is just as stressful, so we are lucky that we are not ruled by the clock and can try and plan our visits when the roads are a little quieter.
Well, I can't put it off any longer and need to get behind the wheel and go to the bank. Wish me luck!
I've never really enjoyed driving and just thought of it more of a necessity and it was quite a relief when I was first posted overseas to leave the car behind. I didn't actually drive again until I returned to PNG in 1994. My partner and I got a small Suzuki and I used to drive down to Lae, an adventure in itself as the route was down a winding mountain track which sometimes became impassable when rains caused landslides and the rivers changed to become raging torrents which washed away bridges and altered their path overnight.
From there I went to Kundiawa and was often seen travelling up and down the Highlands Highway to collect my partner who came for his fieldbreak. Although this wasn't recommended, especially for women travelling alone, I was lucky and nothing untoward happened.
In Porgera, my driving usually consisted of going to the store to stock up once a week, although I sometimes helped on the drive down to Mount Hagen, a 5 or 6 hour drive which enabled us to visit the stores and have a night out at the club.
One of the benefits of living in Hong Kong is the fantastic transport system which is cheap and efficient. I lived above an underground station (MTR) and just by going down in the lift I had access to most places and those I couldn't get to by MTR I could reach by bus, as most of the main routes were accessible just a few steps away from my building.
Now driving has become a necessiby again and if you can imagine any big city at rush hour, that is what it is like going from here to Accra - only worse! Not only do you have to face traffic jams but some chaotic driving practices. The main offenders are the trotro (minibus) drivers and taxis who pull in and pull out of the lanes of traffic with little concern for other road users. Apart from them there are the vehicles which break down causing other cars to have to negotiate them by weaving in and out of the lanes. They always seem to break down at junctions or traffic lights causing even more difficulty.
Many hawkers take the opportunity to ply their wares to the stationary traffic and offer everything from toilet rolls to bottled water. They carry their wares on their heads as they move between the cars and can often be seen running after a moving vehicle to make a sale.
Some times are worse than others and rush hour is the worst. Some people have to get up at 4 am just to make it to work for 8 am. and coming home is just as stressful, so we are lucky that we are not ruled by the clock and can try and plan our visits when the roads are a little quieter.
Well, I can't put it off any longer and need to get behind the wheel and go to the bank. Wish me luck!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Great Expectations
We are expecting a big event some time this week - the delivery of my partner's personal effects from Papua New Guinea! He left at the end of March and after languishing on a dock in Port Moresby they finally began their journey a couple of months later before getting held up again in Australia. They arrived in Ghana on 11th November and now we are just waiting for them to actually leave the port, but it shouldn't be long!
It will be like an early Christmas present unpacking all the boxes and then trying to find somewhere to put the things in our house. We are a bit worried about the state of the items as another person who had their things sent from PNG found that most of their goods were mouldy.
It reminds me of some friends in PNG who had sent out a box from the UK before taking up their posting. It took ages for this box to arrive and when it finally did they decided to hold a Box-Opening Party as they had forgotten what they actually put in the box. Everyone duly arrived and the moment of the opening arrived. They found that they had packed lots of toilet rolls - a commodity that was readily available in Dogura!
I just hope my partners things are not as disappointing!
It will be like an early Christmas present unpacking all the boxes and then trying to find somewhere to put the things in our house. We are a bit worried about the state of the items as another person who had their things sent from PNG found that most of their goods were mouldy.
It reminds me of some friends in PNG who had sent out a box from the UK before taking up their posting. It took ages for this box to arrive and when it finally did they decided to hold a Box-Opening Party as they had forgotten what they actually put in the box. Everyone duly arrived and the moment of the opening arrived. They found that they had packed lots of toilet rolls - a commodity that was readily available in Dogura!
I just hope my partners things are not as disappointing!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)