Guilty by Association

The detention of the wife of Nobel Peace Laureate Liu Xiaobo; whose awarding of the Prize by the Nobel Committee this year has been mired in controversy, is further affirmation that when it comes to issues political, one can be found guilty by mere association as much of the world's history has illustrated.
Similarly is the company one keeps in the very small expat circles in Accra, which provide a microcosmic perspective of the world at large.
Ghana has it's fair share of international citizens; given it attraction as a politically stable country whose discovery of its oil reserves and its burgeoning and relatively liberal economy make it a foreign investor's dream. Development Finance Institutions have in their ubiquitous presence illustrated a confidence in their belief of Ghana's success. With the presence of companies and embassies alike comes the staff and their families, and with them the associations they become a part of.
Some can be social; I was, albeit briefly, a member of the Southern African Women's Association - and found I was looking for an association that would get more involved in community or charity work.
Others combine a bit of the social as well as the community involvement through fundraising and support of developmental projects.
I am officially a member of the Ghana International Women's Club (GIWC); a charity organisation made up of international women from 30 different countries. GIWC raises funds for charitable projects and is in the process of raising funds for the refurbishment and upgrade of  a maternity ward at Ridge Hospital. Pause for effect...this is my unashamed way of drawing even the minimal attention to this organisation and its good work.
Ghana International Women's Club (GIWC): info@ghanaiwc.com

I am also a member of the North American Womens Asociation (NAWA); a similar organisation that integrates community and charity work and organises social events for new and (older) expats- don't ask  what a South African is doing  in a  North American association, but as soon as I start "Saffas Abroad", I will be devoting more of my time to that one.
North American Women's association (NAWA): info@nawaghana.com

There are  enough organisations, associations and societies in Ghana that become a 'home away from home' for many an expat as the camaraderie and friendships formed make up for the extended family that one does not have when living abroad. Most have a real international flavour, as opposed to a strict affiliation to the majority membership which is always defined by citizenship. All have their rules of membership and quotas, but are amenable to admitting the odd associate member when requested. I have only ever encountered one association that was adamantly opposed to accomodating members that did not fit the criterion which stipulated I 'be married to a Ghanaian'.  In this case, it is clear that I was not keeping the right company to warrant admission into the club.