Situated on the coast of West Africa, Ghana is a country full of beautiful beaches, lush vegetation and the world’s largest artificial lake – Lake Volta! Hailed as one of Africa’s great success stories, Ghana is reaping the benefits of a stable democracy in the form of fast paced development.
Although a stable country, many Ghanaians live in poverty, so volunteers really do make a difference. English is learned at school and widely spoken, but a little effort to learn a few phrases in one of the local languages will go a long way. With so many opportunities to make a difference, spending time in Ghana is a truly rewarding experience.
You can help develop communities by taking part in projects which care for children, teach core subjects or work alongside local Ghanaians to assist in sustainable farming. You can also work in the areas of community peace education cells and grassroots organization development.
Best Volunteering Programs in Ghana
About Ghana
Ghana is located in West Africa, and is bordered by three French-speaking countries with Burkina Faso to the north, Côte d’Ivoire to the west, and Togo to the east. Ghana is roughly the same size as the United Kingdom (or smaller than Oregan) and it’s largest river is the Volta.
Ghana is a vibrant and alluring country, steeped in rich tradition and a frequently tragic history. Free from the trappings of mass tourism, this former British colony has much to offer the visitor.
Tropical beaches abound but there’s so much more: feed the sacred crocodiles at Paga, plunge into the waterfalls of the eastern highlands, marvel at the game-rich savannah of Mole National Park, or relive the chilling story of the coastal slave forts.
Development in Ghana
Ghana, when compared to our western society is considered one of the poorer countries in Africa and the world. A high percentage of Ghanaian people are subsistence farmers; only growing enough for their own family and at times perhaps a little extra for trading or cash sales.
The life expectancy for people in Ghana is less than 57 years.
Ghana was the second largest producer of cocoa in the world at one time. In the early 1990s gold become the number one leading export, but as world prices fell it hit the economy hard. More recently tourism has become a big generator of hard currency. Timber also creates some income.
Many Ghanaians do not attend school past the primary level. School fees and uniform prices can stop a large number of children attending school altogether. Poorer families will keep their children at home to work in the fields or send them off to work to bring back money for the family. The numbers of students alone is daunting and there are never enough teachers to cope with class numbers.
Volunteer Impact
Volunteers provide assistance to disadvantaged socio-economic groups within Ghanaian communities, focusing primarily on orphaned children, school children, farming and community groups.
As a volunteer in Ghana you can provide love, affection, education and support to orphaned children. You will help to improve education in schools ensuring children learn and flourish.
As a volunteer you can share your skills and experience with adult community groups. You will also provide education, inter-cultural exchange and understanding in Ghanaian communities.
Where will I be located?
Most placements are in the Greater Accra, Central, Eastern, Volta and Ashanti regions of Ghana.
How You Can Help
Ghana has made tremendous progress in recent years however there is still a very large economic divide between the rich and the poor. There are many volunteer opportunities in Ghana, especially in the north, where few economic prospects are available.
Poor infrastructure makes health care and drinkable water difficult to access. The women in this area are especially at risk as they have double duty of rearing children and growing crops. Volunteer work in Ghana related to women empowerment, farming and otherwise improving basic social services and closing the rich/poor gap is easily available.
Typically such volunteer projects operate on a regular basis with positions lasting from one to twenty four weeks. New volunteers for Ghana are inducted on a regular basis.
While English is commonly spoken in Ghana, many children have ineffective communication skills and English speaking volunteer workers in Ghana are in high demand. Volunteers are placed in urban and rural communities where they teach English independently or aid the local teachers. Teaching volunteers in Ghana follow the Ghanaian education system, which is introduced to the volunteers upon arrival in the country.
Individuals with medical background can help by providing volunteer medical aid in Ghana. Such workers are placed in small rural clinics where they provide services in cooperation with the local staff. If desired the medical volunteers in Ghana, can even be placed to work through orphanages, where they visit different orphanages delivering medical care.
Many volunteer options in Ghana exist for working in orphanages. Interested volunteers may be placed in rural or urban communities and they provide affection, care and teach the orphaned children. Volunteers design and execute teaching programs, events, and activities.
People who enjoy working outdoors with their hands can volunteer in Ghana to help improve basic infrastructure in small communities. Volunteers help renovate or construct clinics, orphanages, toilet facilities and schools. Work includes brick laying, plastering, shaping, steel bending, mortar mixing and a variety of other activities related to construction work.
Free Time
In free time, many volunteers in Ghana engage with local communities. You can play soccer with the local children, or go for a short hike and meet families nearby. Volunteers can wander around local markets, visit bead factories, or watch traditional clothing being made at local shops.
Some choose to visit other parts of the country during their free time. Examples of popular free-time excursions include an ecological canopy walk tour in the rainforest of Kakum National Park, visiting a monkey sanctuary, nature hikes to view gorgeous waterfalls, visiting a traditional bone setter, and exploring historical slave forts near Cape Coast.
Cultural and Learning Activities in Ghana
Cultural activities help to develop your insight into the local traditions and culture. You might visit a small village for a home stay or ceremony, join in a drumming and dancing performance, learn about herbal medicine and traditional healing with a local practitioner, or attend a traditional Ghanaian funeral.
Join a Dance Circle
The local community puts on an exclusive collaborative presentation just for CCS volunteers to formally welcome you, and you’ll get to join in on a traditional drum and dance circle, a very important cultural practice for the Ghanaian people.
Weave a Kente Cloth
Typically reserved for special occasions, the kente cloth has a long tradition in Ghana, and is said to have initiated from the observation of spiders creating their webs. Work with local artisans to help with the creation of a kente cloth, which can take months to complete, as you learn about the colorful meanings of these fabrics.
Tour Ho
Explore silversmiths, money exchange sites, ice cream shops, and cafes. End your walking tour at the weekly outdoor market where you’ll catch your first glimpse of the ubiquitous handmade batik fabrics. Purchase some eye-catching fabric to bring over to the local seamstress and she will inexpensively transform it into a one of a kind souvenir.
Swim in the Wli Waterfall
Plunge into a natural pool at the base of the Wli Waterfall, the highest waterfall in West Africa. You’ll take a short hike to the falls where you’ll witness the rainbows forming in the mist, and then you’ll paddle out to experience the refreshing spray of the falls up close. After drying off, you’ll stop by one of the best souvenir spots in Ghana for a chance to buy wood carvings and batik clothes directly from the artisans who crafted them.
Learn to Speak Ewe
Although English is Ghana’s official language, you can take the opportunity to learn Ewe, the mother tongue of Ghana’s Volta Region and neighboring Togo. After just one round of biweekly classes held at your Home-Base, you’ll be ready to greet your new neighbors in the local language.
Dye Batik Fabric
Ghanaian folklore isn’t a strictly oral tradition; it’s conveyed through traditional “adinkra” symbols as well. You’ll quickly begin to notice adinkra in pottery, wood work, business logos, and fabrics. Visit a local seamstress to learn about these symbols, as well as the traditional batik process for fabric dyeing. Make your own batik handkerchief as a small but meaningful keepsake of all you’ve learned and seen.
Hike in Amedzofe
In Amedzofe you’ll find lush mountain landscapes. Try your hand at scenic Mount Gemi, or challenge yourself with Mount Adaklu.
Venture into Togo
The present day Volta Region of Ghana, along with neighboring Togo, was once part of a large German protectorate called “Togoland.” While the area was divided by post-WWI arbitration, eastern Ghanaians and Togolese still share the same heritage, culture, and language, and many local people travel across borders to visit friends and relatives. Once you’ve found your way around Ghana’s Volta Region, cross the border to Togo for an international experience with a familiar feel.
FAQ
Getting to Ghana
Most volunteers fly into Kotoka International Airport in Accra (airport code ACC). You will be met by a partner or an airport guide arranged by our partner to transport you to the project or your evening accommodation, depending on how far your project site is from the airport and what time you arrived.
How safe is it to volunteer in Ghana?
Ghana is one of the safest countries in Africa. It has a democratic electoral process and a stable economy. We work very hard to ensure you are placed in safe environments while volunteering. The people are very warm and friendly towards foreigners, so you will be well looked after.
What is the climate like in Ghana?
Since Ghana is only a few degrees north of the equator, the only seasonal changes are distinct wet and dry seasons. The best time to visit is during September and October when the weather is relatively cooler and it rains only occasionally. From December to February it is the dry season, when day temperatures are in the 80s-90s Farenheit (27-36 degree Celcius) and nights in the 70s Farenheit (18-26 Celcius). Another dry season occurs from July to August. A dry northeast wind known as the Harmattan blows for about 10 days in January. The eastern coastal belt is warm and comparatively dry; the southwest corner has the highest humidity and rainfall, while the north is frequently hot and dry. Don’t forget to take along an umbrella during the rainy season.
Are there holidays or festivals I should be aware of when traveling?
Ghana has several holidays and festivals throughout the year. Some of these will interrupt project schedules and some will not. One thing about Africa is that schedules are never written in stone. You should use the break from the regular work schedule to soak up the culture and get to know the people you are living among.
Do I need to speak English to become a volunteer?
It is helpful if you speak English; it is also fine if English is your second language. While there are many local languages spoken in Ghana, the majority of people speak English.
What age do you have to be to volunteer?
You must be between 18 and 60 years old to volunteer in this program.
What are the living arrangements when volunteering?
Volunteers in the Ghana program will be placed either in a volunteer house or in a home-stay situation within the community they are working in, or in a neighbouring community. All of our caretakers and host families have been trained to provide a warm, safe, and clean environment for volunteers. Your host family will truly adopt you as one of their own, and you are encouraged to feel at ease with them. All living quarters have a bed, mosquito netting, bath and facilities, and a lock on the door. You will have drinking (unfiltered) and bathing water, a kerosene lamp, soap, and toilet paper available. You may want to purchase bottled water. You should plan on bringing a flashlight as well. You will be fed three meals a day, and if there are any problems with the meals (too spicy, for example) please discuss it with your counterpart so that the menu can be changed.
How do I get to the project?
After a brief orientation, volunteers are typically driven to their placements by a member of staff later that day or the next day, depending on the distance to be travelled.
How many volunteers are there on site at the same time?
This depends on how many people volunteer at any one time. Usually there have between four to ten volunteers arriving in Ghana each month. You will usually be placed with at least one other volunteer, depending on how many volunteers we have at the same time and location as you. Please note that due to variation in volunteer numbers, we are unable to confirm the number of volunteers until closer to your placement start date.
What hours am I expected to take part in the program?
Volunteers will work 5 days a week, Monday through to Friday. Typically you will work 4 to 5 hours per day.
Are there more expenses once I arrive?
The in-country fee covers food and home-stay accommodation during your placement. If you arrive early or intend on staying on in Ghana for longer than you are volunteering then you will need to have spare money for this time. Since most flights from the U.S. and Europe arrive in Accra late in the day it is often necessary for volunteers to spend their first night in Accra. Volunteers are asked to cover the cost of their additional accommodation and meals; this will be approximately US$25/per night in total. Other costs include buying bottled water and any shopping you want to do personally. Also some money may be required for your days off, depending on what you intend doing.
What clothing is appropriate?
Volunteers are encouraged to wear comfortable but tidy attire. It can be very hot at certain times of the year, however covering up is important not only for protection from the sun and insects, but also to show respect to your fellow teachers and members of the community. For women this means long pants, skirts, and dresses. For men, this means long pants, or even nice knee-length shorts if necessary.
What immunizations/vaccines will I need?
• Diphtheria and tetanus
• Polio
• Hepatitis A & B
• Typhoid
• Yellow fever – a certificate proving you have had this should be shown at the airport on arrival.
• Rabies
• Tuberculosis
• Malaria (needs to be closely discussed with doctor)
Some of these can be taken in oral form so please do discuss all options with your doctor to see what is best for you. Some people can be affected quite differently to others by medication. Malaria is prevalent in Ghana so we strongly recommend medication for this. A yellow fever vaccination is legally required to enter Ghana and you will need to provide a certificate to prove you have had it to obtain a visa.
What else can I do in Ghana?
Ghana is often called ‘Africa for Beginners’ and is a great place to start your travels on the continent. Ghana offers hundreds of kilometres of coast and we recommend you visit some of the beautiful beaches on offer. You can learn about the history of slaves at the ruined European fort of Cape Coast Castle. If you like the urban life, take in Accra’s club scene, the birthplace of some of the region’s most popular music.
Reviews & Feedback
“Ghana is a fun, happy, vibrant and safe country that can best be summed up in three words: football, religion and noise. I have made some good friends here and have sincerely enjoyed their company. Teaching has been a fun experience and, although I haven’t stayed long enough to have had as great an impact on the children’s learning as I would have liked, I still felt like I was doing something extremely worthwhile when I was in those classrooms. I am thankful for a fantastic, hassle-free programme, my hosts, Eric, and the people of Ghana for having me and making me feel welcome.” – Ben