Ghanaians on an internet forum, Okyeame, have come to the aid of a patient whose call for assistance was published in the Ghanaian Daily Graphic newspaper (and the GhanaHomePage: READ). Moses Dodzi, who has been suffering from a severe abnormality, which has made his neck turn sideways required $450 (?3.5m) to undergo surgery at the St Joseph’s Hospital at Effiduase near Koforidua in the Eastern Region of Ghana.

As soon as the news hit the internet, some twelve members of the Okyeame forum answered the call with voluntary donations and in a matter of minutes collected ?4.8m which was presented at a brief ceremony to the hospital for Dodzi’s surgery and post recovery expenses.

Making the presentation on behalf of Okyeame, Aziz Basheer and Cornelius Adedze who are resident in Ghana, said the patriotism of Ghanaians is indeed global and knows no national borders. They said there are members of Okyeame all over the globe from Alaska to Zimbabwe who share interests for the sake of mother Ghana.

Okyeame is Ghana's first internet mailing list founded in 1991. The forum brings together hundreds of Ghanaians all over the world to discuss ideas ranging from politics, economics, education, religion, sports, and many more.

Apart from the current philanthropic donation, other projects that have been undertaken by Okyeame include support for the Shikhina Clinic near Tamale, the establishment of a scholarship fund at the University of Ghana, Legon, and the creation of an investment club.
GhanaHomePage was first publicized on Okyeame in 1992.
Another side product of Okyeame is the successful Ghanaian publication, Ghana Review International, which used the forum as a fertile ground to develop ideas in the early stages of the publication.
Okyeame is open to all Ghanaians of all persuasions worldwide and does not require membership fee.

For pictures please browse: http://www.ghanareview.com/publicationpics/okyeame/okyeame2.html