Ghana (MNN) — Rising fuel prices
throughout the developed world are painful. But in developing nations, the higher prices are excruciating. For Ghana, which has one of West Africa's
most promising economies, it will cost many people dearly.
According to the Ghana
Statistical Service, inflation in the rural areas continued to remain high,
recording 24.64 percent compared to 10.66 percent in the urban areas. The increase is partially blamed on oil
price increases. All of this has had a
significant impact on the Ghanaian economy as June inflation reached 18.41
percent, up from the 16.88 percent recorded in May 2008.
But for Oasis International, the news might
not be all bad. In fact, the fuel
crisis might be turned to a unique advantage for the ministry.
Ambrose Brennan explains, "We've actually
seen a couple of things happen. One is
an increase in the interest here for the school. We think it's because we've
been able to keep our costs down because of the support and donations, and also
we've had some graduates that have found some good success."
Many of the students in the
computer classes are teachers from the elementary school in Prampram. They are
able to take the skills that they learn and then teach them to their students. The Center is able to give the African
people vocational skills that they would never be able to pay for.
The second week of classes for
this semester at the Oasis Training Institute in Prampram just ended. Brennan
says they're teaching a worldview that makes a difference. "With all of our vocational classes, we
also teach the Bible courses, and we have devotions in the morning and things
like that. So, everyone is exposed to the Gospel. They not only are learning the skills, but
hopefully are also getting the character values that an employer would
want."
