African Rhythms and Memories from Ghana

Hi, this is Eyad, before I finish, there's one more part I forgot to share....

While our research mission in Ghana was intensive and rewarding, some of the most memorable moments happened outside the survey hours .

We welcomed the first sunrise of the year on the beautiful beaches of Keta  a calm, golden morning with the ocean stretching endlessly in front of us. It was the kind of moment that makes you pause, breathe, and feel grateful to be exactly where you are.

Another highlight was visiting a local market , full of color, energy, and life. We explored stalls selling beautiful cloth textiles and handmade leather bags, each piece carrying its own story. During our walk, we stumbled upon a small shop selling local musical instruments . Of course, we couldn't resist trying them. Risako and I played around with the instruments, and to my own surprise, I discovered a hidden talent—I can play the drums quite well 😄. I immediately suggested to Risako that we should start a band, especially since she also plays the guitar. Who knows—maybe next field mission, first lab concert?

During long survey days under the hot coastal sun, we developed a simple but perfect routine:  fresh coconut breaks . Cold coconut water in that weather was unbeatable—refreshing, energizing, and absolutely necessary.

As for food in Ghana, I must confess: I ate a lot of fried rice —and I enjoyed every plate 😄. One thing I quickly learned is that food in Ghana takes time to be served, but honestly, it's part of the experience. Good things are waiting worth for.

One unexpected and comforting moment came when we found a Japanese restaurant in Accra . On the first day of the new year, we enjoyed a nice dinner with familiar Japanese dishes. That evening, I felt both happy and full —a small but meaningful reminder of Japan, even while far away.

On our final day in Accra, we had the chance to attend a  live music show  . The African music was vibrant and powerful—one of those sounds that makes it impossible to sit still. And yes, we danced. My dancing skills were… questionable, but the fun level was very high, and that's what mattered.

These moments—sunrises, music, food, laughter, and shared experiences—made the Ghana mission unforgettable. Beyond the data and surveys, they reminded us that fieldwork is not only about research, but also about connection, discovery, and joy .

From Planning to Practice: Our Field Research Mission in Ghana

 Hello, still remember me ? It’s Eyad Rami Again , M1 Student , i am here to share highlights from our recent research mission in Ghana…

Our recent field mission to Ghana marked a major milestone in our ongoing research on coastal flooding and household resilience. The official objective of this trip was to conduct large scale and comprehensive household surveys in two vulnerable coastal regions Keta and the Densu Delta to  understand how recurrent flooding affects household livelihoods, economies, and long-term resilience.

The survey was designed to capture not only direct flood damages , but also the long-term consequences of flooding , including income disruption, changes in livelihood strategies, and the impacts on household investments and economic stability over time.

Preparation Before the Field Mission

The mission began long before our flight to Accra. Nearly two months in advance, Risako and I worked intensively on refining our research questions and hypotheses, translating them into clear and measurable survey variables. We spent long hours designing, testing, and revising the questionnaire to ensure both scientific rigor and practical applicability in the field.

After multiple rounds of discussion and testing, we finalized the survey instrument, prepared detailed enumerator manuals , and developed a complete operational plan covering training, sampling strategy, and field implementation.

Keta: Training, Testing, and Community Engagement

Upon arrival in Accra, we traveled by car with our Ghanaian colleagues to Keta , where the first phase of the survey took place. The following day, we conducted our first comprehensive training workshop , which lasted nearly six hours. During the session, we carefully explained the survey objectives, question logic, interview techniques, and considerations, ensuring that all enumerators fully understood the methodology.

In the afternoon, the training continued in the field through hands-on practice , allowing enumerators to test the questionnaire in real conditions and engage directly with community leaders. This initial field exposure was critical for refining interview approaches and building trust with local stakeholders.

Household data collection in Keta continued over the next two days, covering both flood-affected and non-affected households , enabling meaningful comparisons across exposure levels. At the conclusion of this phase, we organized an honorarium ceremony to recognize and appreciate the enumerators who contributed effectively to the survey.

Densu Delta: Expanding the Survey

After returning to Accra, preparations began immediately for the second study area. Two days later, a second training workshop was held to prepare a new group of enumerators for the Densu Delta coastal area . This phase of the survey lasted three days and followed the same rigorous methodological framework.

By the end of the mission, we successfully collected 311 household survey samples across both Keta and the Densu Delta—an important dataset that will support robust analysis of flood impacts and household resilience.

Reflections and Acknowledgments

Although the mission was intensive and physically demanding, it was an extremely rewarding experience. Personally, the fieldwork strengthened my teamwork, leadership, management and communication skills , while significantly enhancing my research planning and field management capabilities.

This mission would not have been possible without the continuous support and motivation of Professor Kawasaki , whose guidance was invaluable throughout every stage of the project. I am also deeply grateful to my teammate Risako , whose dedication and collaboration were essential to the mission's success. Special thanks go to our Ghanaian professors, students, and enumerators for their exceptional generosity, professionalism, and commitment in the field.

AGU and San Diego

 Dear all it Kosame again,

This time, I have come to the United States with research achievements to exchange with all of hydrology researchers at the end of the year.

Before going to AGU, as is the custom, I still paid a visit to our group's senior, Moiz-san. Unlike last year, Moiz-san has come to UCSD to conduct research this year.

Unlike the cold east coast, the climate in California is like paradise. It seems that in the locals' concept, there is no such thing as winter at all.

From Los Angeles to San Diego, they actually offer a railway that runs all the way south along the long coastline of the Pacific Ocean. The golden sandy beach, the azure sea, the gentle sea breeze, along with the chirping of seabirds and the crisp clinking of glass beer bottles, all contribute to the fading of the fatigue from the long flight, just like the echoes of the railway tracks gradually receding.

San Diego is often perceived by the public as a renowned military port. However, in reality, it is far from the serious military image. Instead, it has an extremely laid-back pace of life. Passers-by will greet you warmly, and almost everyone says "thank you" when getting on or off the bus. Whether it is the increasingly strong holiday atmosphere or some other reason, the word "trouble" seems very strange to the residents of San Diego, just like the seabirds and sea lions on the beach.

UCSD perfectly blends into the atmosphere of San Diego. Even its address is located between a national forest and a beautiful coastline. Of course, I haven't forgotten the purpose of coming to UCSD. After a year, I have the opportunity to have a face-to-face exchange with our Moiz-san again. Now we are both doing research on dams. On this basis, we discussed the existing methods and common research in the United States.

After saying goodbye to Santiago, we arrived in New Orleans. Contrary to what I had imagined, the place was actually quite clean. Music flowed through the city's streets and alleys like the Mississippi River. Street performances could be seen everywhere, complementing the low and retro buildings in the French Quarter.

The venue of this AGU is still quite close to my residence. On my way to and from the venue, I can think about problems. At this AGU, there are even more studies on machine learning than last year. It seems that with the attention of various research institutions and the power of machine learning itself, it has branched out in the research of various issues.

The conclusion of AGU was as memorable as a New Orleans night, leaving a long-lasting aftertaste. I hope to exchange ideas with more colleagues next year.

See you in San Francisco next year,
Kosame