STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Jolene Addi’s summer 2025 experience in Ghana

Jolene Addi, MG26 (Nutrition/MPH)
jolene.addi@tufts.edu

I pursued a TUSM global health program at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana, for two months, as a principal investigator of my own qualitative study where I interviewed Ghanaian women about their lived experiences with uterine fibroids. I was inspired by my mother’s experience with a hysterectomy that she underwent in 2018. Both my parents were born and raised in Ghana, and I’ve always wanted to go back for a longer period (other than a few weeks) and pursue research. It’s been a 5-year process to finally pursue this dream/goal. After being a two-time semifinalist for a Fulbright research award to Ghana in 2021 and 2022, I decided to go back to school and strengthen and build my skills. I intentionally applied to schools with connections to Ghana. 

Room where I conducted interviews.
I stayed at the Korle Bu International Student Hostel that mostly holds medical students at the University of Ghana but also international exchange students.
From left to right: CEO of Fibroid Foundation Africa (Dr. Elizabeth Korasare), me, my research assistant (Clara), and preceptor Dr. Kwaku Asah-Opoku.

This project will reduce a huge research gap, because right now, there is not one paper on the lived experience of Ghanaian women with uterine fibroids. Not only is there a gap in America in women’s health and education, but especially in sub-Saharan Africa. I’m moving on to phase two of the project, which is data analysis utilizing NVivo. My intuition feels stronger, and I’m more at ease recognizing and trusting it—especially throughout the study. I also feel more confident setting boundaries than I did before.

Where my mom grew up.
Maternity ward research department with some interns.

I am grateful to God, and the support from family and my Tufts mentors, Dr. Bradshaw and Dr. Si Pearman. This study was such hard work at times, but also went better than expected. To Ghana, Y3behyia bio (we’ll meet again) <3

Presentation of my project to Obstetrics and Gynecology Department.
Songs of the summer: “My Darling” by Chella and “With You” by Davido ft. Omah Lay. Oliver Twist was like a 5-minute walk down the road from the hostel, where music echoed throughout the whole weekend. As someone who is a music lover, this was a confirmation for me that I was in the right place. I also ended up finding someone to give me a few DJ lessons! This was my most frequented third space, and I was on a first-name basis with a lot of the staff.
Baked tilapia and chicken, cassava fries, shito (Ghanaian spicy sauce), and pepper sauce.