Volunteering in Ghana

VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS IN GHANA

If you are looking for a truly meaningful volunteer programme as well as an unforgettable adventure in rural Africa, Ghana is the right place for you to volunteer.

You will have the opportunity to contribute to the learning and knowledge of young people, as well as looking after the health and well-being of communities, while exploring all that this country has to offer. Don’t miss out on this enriching experience in Ghana.

We collaborate in two volunteer programmes in Ghana, teaching and medical care, your participation in them will be of great help for the development of children and women in the local community.


EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN SCHOOLS

In this programme you will be able to give the best of yourself with children between 3 and 16 years old, you will collaborate in the schools of the village. Depending on your profile and together with you, we will choose the group and age group of children you will work with. You will be able to see at first hand what rural education in Africa is like.

Ghanaian schools are structured into three main levels and come under the Ghana Education Service. These are the infant/primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
The volunteer will mainly focus on the Primary and Secondary levels, as this is an age group that needs the most help.
needs the most help. You will be assigned to one of the local schools and will be responsible for teaching English and/or other subjects to the pupils. Your role will be to provide inspiring and exciting lessons that will improve the reading, writing, numeracy and communication skills of the pupils in your class.

However, it is important to remember that their role should be as independent and autonomous as possible.
as possible. This will enable you to develop greater confidence in your own pedagogical and organisational abilities.

Open all year round. It is advisable to arrive on Sunday, for an induction into the programme and the village on Monday. We collaborate from Monday to Friday for approximately 4 hours.

There are periods of school holidays in which the tasks that are carried out are of school revision.

  • Minimum age: 18
  • Maximum age: None
  • Criminal record required: Yes
  • Qualifications required: Knowledge of English
  • Participants under 18 must be accompanied by parents

In this programme you can go from 2 weeks and it costs:

WEEKSCOST
2630€
Additional210€

WHAT DOES VOLUNTEERING OFFER?

  • Orientation and induction to the project or programme
  • Airport pick-up (if arriving Saturday and Sunday)
  • 24/7 support from the Adventure Volunteer team
  • Programme monitoring and evaluation
  • Certificate of weeks spent volunteering
  • Tax certificate to be deducted from your income tax return
  • Guidance, advice and management in choosing your programme
  • Liability and volunteer insurance
  • Accommodation during your volunteering stay
  • 3 meals during your volunteering
  • 24/7 support from the local organisation
  • Orientation and induction to the project

WHAT IS NOT OFFERED IN VOLUNTEERING?

  • Flight
  • Visa if required
  • Vaccinations, if required
  • Internal transport or excursions
  • Travel or excursions within or outside the country
  • Travel medical insurance with Covid coverage
  • Beverages, special diets or meals


SPORTS PROGRAMME

Many Ghanaian children have a passion for sports. The most popular of these is probably football, but there are many who love anything that makes them run and jump and keeps them competitive. This is where you come in!

You can share your love of sports and your knowledge of how each game is played to help local kids raise the bar and improve their own game. There will be tons of opportunities to share your enthusiasm and efforts in a variety of sports, to help local kids learn a whole new sport or make improvements in the sport they already love to play.

Feel free to bring any equipment or teaching materials to help enhance the coaching experience, as equipment may be limited in some location areas.

Coaching options include:

Football: U12, U14 and U17 is where the vast majority of training options exist in local schools, academies and after-school clubs. Training may require 2 sessions each day, in some cases, and there may also be matches at weekends.

Boxing: popularised by great local boxers who have represented the country at national and international level, you will have the opportunity to provide training and share your knowledge of the sport with the next generation of emerging boxers, at the local boxing club in the Accra area. Most of the training takes place in the afternoons, leaving the mornings free.

Golf coaches will help young players (8-17) master their skills and develop their talents. Locations may include a local golf club and nearby schools offering programmes in the sport. Qualified coaches may even have the opportunity to provide clinics at other golf club locations in Ghana and try out the different courses as well.

Tennis: as tennis is emerging as a sport in Ghana, the current emphasis is on participation and developing an understanding of the basics, so there is no need to worry about high-level coaching ability. If you have the confidence and desire to take these students to the next level, so much the better! You may have a coaching placement among the national youth teams.

Hockey: This is your chance to be part of a sport that is growing in popularity and is played in many local schools. Your placement may even give you the opportunity to train with some of the best in the region, as you prepare to coach youngsters in the U12 and U14 age groups.

Rugby: Bring your passion, enthusiasm and structure to the game of rugby, while sharing everything you know with locals who share the same passion for the sport. Work with a local rugby club and schools in the surrounding area to help young people in the community improve their game. This can be a ground zero programme, where you will need to teach the fundamentals of the sport, emphasise rules and strategies, etc., because very few may be familiar with the sport.

Basketball: pass on your knowledge of dribbling, offense, defence, jump shooting and teamwork to local players eager to learn the fundamentals of the game. Your coaching will help young athletes in the local community improve their game and train them to become stronger in every aspect. You may even get to share your knowledge during practice sessions and scheduled games, along with local coaches for organised competitive events.

Netball: this training experience can really be at grassroots level. Although the facilities may not exist for formalised netball for some local young people, the enthusiasm to learn still exists. You can be creative to use what is available to set up the pitch and then share your knowledge of netball to get the game going – start with the basics and it just goes from there! You may even have some opportunity to organise coaching clinics and matches for students in schools (ages 10-16), so they can improve their passing and shooting skills.

Martial arts: Introduce the basics and help young people develop their skills as they practice martial arts under your guidance. Depending on your own skill level, you can guide small or large groups of local youth as they improve through sparring, patterns, kicks, punches, self-defence moves, exercise routines, groundwork, line work and stretching under your guidance.

Athletics: you will train children and teenagers in and around Accra in local clubs and schools, helping them to increase their speed, endurance, strength and skill. Many of them dream of representing their country on the world stage at the Olympic Games or other World Championships.

Swimming: Not every child in Ghana has the opportunity to learn to swim, but this could be their chance to be part of something special. You will have the opportunity to provide lessons on water safety and swimming basics, to help small groups of children improve their ability to enjoy their new skill.

Open all year round. It is advisable to arrive on Sunday, for an induction into the programme and the village on Monday. There is a collaboration from Monday to Friday for approximately 4 hours.

Actual times may vary depending on the programme you will be training in. There may also be matches on weekends when your team is playing or other events you wish to attend that are related to your sport.

  • Minimum age: 18
  • Maximum age: None
  • Criminal record required: Yes
  • Qualifications required: English and sporting skills
  • Participants under 18 must be accompanied by parents

In this programme you can go from 2 weeks and it costs:

WeeksCost
2630€
Additional210€

WHAT DOES VOLUNTEERING OFFER?

  • Orientation and induction to the project or programme
  • Airport pick-up (if arriving on Saturday and Sunday)
  • 24/7 support from the Adventure Volunteer team
  • Programme monitoring and evaluation
  • Certificate of weeks spent volunteering
  • Tax certificate to be deducted in your income tax return
  • Guidance, advice and management in choosing your programme
  • Liability and volunteer insurance
  • Accommodation during your volunteering stay
  • 3 meals during your volunteering
  • 24/7 support from the local organisation
  • Orientation and induction to the project

WHAT IS NOT OFFERED IN VOLUNTEERING?

  • Flight
  • Visa if required
  • Vaccinations, if required
  • Internal transport or excursions
  • Travel or excursions within or outside the country
  • Travel medical insurance with Covid coverage
  • Beverages, special diets or meals


GENERAL MEDICAL AND PHYSIOTHERAPEUTIC CARE

If you like health care, the volunteer programme in Ghana in Medical Care and Physiotherapy will be a great opportunity for you to work in the local hospital, schools and communities, both in the centres and in giving talks on prevention.

As a health care volunteer you experience the daily processes in hospitals and clinics in Ghana. You help local medical staff to provide essential treatment to patients. The clinics where we have placements are run by community outreach programmes, where teams of medical staff can go into the poorest communities to visit patients and their families. During your stay, you will have the opportunity to observe and assist medical staff at any of the clinics in these areas.

Much of your role will be supportive, working alongside the professional medical staff in Ghana. You are likely to spend much of your time observing local staff in their daily work, learning how they manage and interact with patients. At other times, you will be invited to offer a more hands-on role in the medical care provided, provided you are able to play that role.

In the area of physiotherapy we can see how the volunteer contributes to an important area of community and sports development. The volunteer provides practical assistance and care that is not generally available to many injured locals as well as dedicated athletes. This will be great experience for a future career as a professional physiotherapist or, alternatively, will give you a better understanding of the obstacles that many physiotherapists and medical professionals have to overcome in developing countries.

The community clinic is understaffed and underfunded. Many of the patients’ conditions reflect the problems in Ghana: many strokes due to hypertension, car accidents and a high proportion of crush injuries to the hand and tendons from cutting and grinding machinery. A hand injury in Ghana, a hand injury usually does not lead to compensation or income, and only those who can afford to pay for the session receive treatment. There is also a lot of facial paralysis due to otitis media, which is treated with electrical stimulation. The clinic has equipment, including a hydrotherapy pool, but has a long way to go before the clinic can cope with the needs of the local community.

You must be motivated and prepared for some long and frustrating days. However, as a qualified physiotherapist, you can really make a positive impact in an area of health care that is often overlooked.

Open all year round. Arrival on Sundays is preferred in order to join the programme on Monday. Collaboration from Monday to Friday about 4 hours per day.

  • Minimum age: 18
  • Maximum age: None
  • Criminal record required: Yes
  • Qualifications required: Knowledge of English and certificate of studies or work in the health field.
  • Participants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by parents

In this programme you can go from 4 weeks and it costs:

WeeksCost
41330€
Additional280€

WHAT DOES VOLUNTEERING OFFER?

  • Orientation and induction to the project or programme
  • Airport pick-up (if arriving on Saturday and Sunday)
  • 24/7 support from the Adventure Volunteer team
  • Programme monitoring and evaluation
  • Certificate of weeks spent volunteering
  • Tax certificate to be deducted in your income tax return
  • Guidance, advice and management in choosing your programme
  • Liability and volunteer insurance
  • Accommodation during your volunteering stay
  • 3 meals during your volunteering
  • 24/7 support from the local organisation
  • Orientation and induction to the project

WHAT IS NOT OFFERED IN VOLUNTEERING?

  • Flight
  • Visa if required
  • Vaccinations, if required
  • Internal transport or excursions
  • Travel or excursions within or outside the country
  • Travel medical insurance with Covid coverage
  • Beverages, special diets or meals


CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME

By joining a construction project, you will bring the manpower needed to drive the construction forward. Projects are selected according to the needs of the community. Therefore, this creates a variety of different projects.

Education and sanitation are often at the top of the list in this project, but we are also very keen for participants to work on recreational projects, such as playground demolition and community centres. These often provide a great focal point for the community.

You will join a team of other participants and locals, all of whom will work closely together for the common goal. The Ghanaian workers are trained and know how to use local materials, so they will act as your guide and will undoubtedly teach you many ‘tricks of the trade’, ensuring that construction can be carried out quickly and efficiently. As projects vary, so do the tasks, but bear in mind that this is physical work. There will be days that will challenge you because they are strenuous, but don’t be discouraged. All projects are suited to participants of reasonable fitness and you will never be asked to do anything you don’t want to do. You will most likely find that being outdoors and working in a team is a fun and truly rewarding experience.

The different activities and objectives:

  • Create opportunities for cultural exchange through our efforts with the locals.
  • Give some hands-on experience in light renovation work
  • Develop your teamwork and skills through hands-on activities
  • Assisting locals with construction and renovation efforts in an organised team

Open all year round. It is advisable to arrive on Sunday, for an induction into the programme and the village on Monday. A collaboration takes place from Monday to Friday for approximately 4 hours.

  • Minimum age: 18
  • Maximum age: None
  • Criminal record required: Yes
  • Qualifications required: Knowledge of English
  • Participants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by parents
  • Good physical fitness

In this programme you can go from 2 weeks and it costs:

WeeksCost
2700€
Additional245€

WHAT DOES VOLUNTEERING OFFER?

  • Orientation and induction to the project or programme
  • Airport pick-up (if arriving Saturday and Sunday)
  • 24/7 support from the Adventure Volunteer team
  • Programme monitoring and evaluation
  • Certificate of weeks spent volunteering
  • Tax certificate to be deducted in your income tax return
  • Guidance, advice and management in choosing your programme
  • Liability and volunteer insurance
  • Accommodation during your volunteering stay
  • 3 meals during your volunteering
  • 24/7 support from the local organisation
  • Orientation and induction to the project

WHAT IS NOT OFFERED IN VOLUNTEERING?

  • Flight
  • Visa if required
  • Vaccinations, if required
  • Internal transport or excursions
  • Travel or excursions within or outside the country
  • Travel medical insurance with Covid coverage
  • Beverages, special diets or meals


These are some of the needs that as a volunteer in Ghana you will address in collaboration with local partners:

  • Poverty causing ill health and lack of opportunities
  • Illiteracy
  • Lack of materials
  • School absenteeism
  • Malnutrition
  • Disease prevention
  • Basic medical care
  • Accident and injury care

What requirements do I need to volunteering in Ghana?

For all programmes we will ask you:

  • Be of legal age
  • Basic knowledge of spoken and written English
  • Be respectful of the local people and their culture
  • Be creative, helpful and willing to work as part of a team
  • Teaching experience is an advantage, but not necessary
  • If you have basic knowledge of computers and common software, you can help with these activities
  • Health training in case of a medical or physiotherapist volunteer programme

For the medical programme you must submit the following information:

  • Certification validating that you are studying a branch of medicine or that you are already a medical student
  • Curriculum vitae and an official copy of your credentials

Where will I be during my volunteer placement in Ghana?

The volunteer projects in Ghana are based in Accra, Ghana’s capital and largest city, with a population of over two million. Accra stretches along Ghana’s Atlantic coast and extends northwards. Our accommodation is located in Teshie, a coastal suburban town on the eastern side of Accra. It is a fast growing suburb that is getting bigger and bigger every day. Teshie is rich in its diversity and has its own train station for easy transportation.


When can I go to Ghana to volunteer program?

The volunteer teaching and medical assistance programmes in Ghana are open all year round.

The teaching programmes will take place at the school except for the months of April, August and December which are run as a summer camp as the schools are closed.

For more information, questions or assistance with a colleague of our team you can contact us via phone or Whatsapp here.

The steps to follow to register are as follows:

  • Fill out the form to reserve your volunteering.
  • Wait for our confirmation of availability.
  • Make a 1st donation for the registration to the Adventure Volunteer association.
  • You will receive an email with the volunteer agreement to be completed by you.
  • You will return to us by email all the requested information and you will be able to purchase the flight.
  • A few weeks before you start you will receive information from the local organization.
  • Now you only have to pack your suitcase, you have a whole team that will make everything easier for you and you will be in contact at all times, so you don’t have to worry.

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

To be part of the volunteer programs in Sri Lanka, it is not necessary any specific training and it is only required:

  • To be of legal age (possibility minor with guardian or parents).
  • To be a participative and committed person.
  • Be respectful of people, culture and customs.
  • To know how to adapt and work in a team.
  • Criminal record certificate for social work.
  • Sign cooperation agreement and interview with our team.
  • Appropriate clothing for the destination.
  • Knowledge of English.

ACCOMMODATION FOR YOUR VOLUNTEER WORK IN GHANA

When you arrive in Ghana to volunteer in Ghana, our local coordinator will take you to the volunteer house.

During your stay here in Ghana, you will be accommodated in the volunteer house in Accra. The accommodation is within a gated community. The rooms are generally dormitory style and are separated between men and women. Programs are located about 20-40 minutes from the house and participants are responsible for their own transportation costs to and from the house (6-8€). Staff remains on site 7 days a week to assist participants.

Rooms are shared by volunteers of the same gender. The house has common areas that can be used by volunteers and also provides access to laundry facilities. There is no hot water, access is provided for laundry.

Typical meals provided generally include:

  • Vegetables and legumes / beans.
  • Fruits.
  • Meat, fish or eggs.
  • Grains and cereals.
  • Milk, yogurt, cheese and/or alternatives.

Volunteer accommodation in Ghana

WHAT WILL THE ARRIVAL AT THE DESTINATION BE LIKE?

The local coordinator of your volunteer program in Ghana will welcome you (Saturdays and Sundays) at the Kotoka International Airport, which is located near Accra, the capital of the country. He will then drive you to the volunteer house. Don’t worry about communication, they speak fluent English, are very patient and helpful.

The coordinator will also give you detailed information about the area where the project is located, as well as everything you need to know about the orientation and induction to the program.

VISA IN GHANA

To enter the country to volunteer in Ghana, you will need a passport valid for at least 6 months from the start of your volunteer program, plus a yellow fever vaccination and a visa.

Single entry visas are generally valid for 3 months. To complete the visa application, contact the Ghanaian consulate in your country of residence and arrange the process with them.

SECURITY IN GHANA

Ghana is seen as a place where you can go sightseeing and be safe. But nothing is perfect, and as in many countries of the world you have to take certain precautions and know how to handle yourself in certain situations and areas of the country.

Generally, the tourist areas are safe, but we still recommend you to keep these tips in mind:

  • Notify your coordinator, in case you are going on an excursion, so that he/she can warn you about the places where you will be going.
  • Have your coordinator’s phone number and the address where you are staying available in case you need it.
  • Avoid giving out information about where you are staying, the project and your fellow volunteers for safety reasons.
  • Do not bring anyone who is not from the organization to the volunteer’s house.
  • Avoid risky areas in every place you visit.
  • Travel frugally in your daily transfers and excursions.
  • Avoid drawing attention to yourself with jewelry and accessories.
  • If you can, avoid taking out your cell phone in public places.
  • Try to use safe transportation services in the country or services such as Uber or cabs.
  • Avoid walking alone on unfamiliar streets at night.
  • Never take someone you do not know in an unfamiliar vehicle or in your own vehicle.
  • Do not drink any beverage whose origin you do not know.

The financial contribution is divided into two parts:

  1. Registration that you will give as a donation to the Adventure Volunteer association. This contribution has a tax benefit of 80% which you can deduct in your income tax return.
  2. The remaining part of the cost of the programme will go to the partner organisation which we will send on your behalf as a substitute or you can hand it in directly to the project.
WEEKSEDUCATION AND SPORTSCONSTRUCTIONDOCTOR AND PHYSIOTHERAPIST
2 630€700€
3 840€945€
4 1050€1190€1330€
Additional210€245€280€

WHAT DOES VOLUNTEERING OFFER?

  • Welcome at the airport (Saturday and Sunday)
  • Accommodation for the duration of your stay
  • 3 meals during your volunteer placement
  • 24/7 support from the Adventure Volunteer team
  • Programme monitoring and evaluation
  • Orientation and induction to the project
  • Tax certificate
  • Certificate of weeks spent volunteering
  • Accident and liability insurance
  • Guidance, advice and management in the choice of the programme

WHAT IS NOT OFFERED IN VOLUNTEERING?

  • Flight to Ghana
  • Visa, if required
  • Internal transport or excursions
  • Travel within or outside the country
  • Travel medical insurance
  • Beverages, meals and special meals
  • Bottled water

How to book a volunteering in Ghana?

STEP 1

Once you fill in the form to the programme, we will verify everything and confirm your place within 24 hours if everything is correct.

STEP 2

The registration fee must be paid within 7 days, then your place will be guaranteed and you will be part of the family.

STEP 3

We send you the volunteer guide, T-shirt, compulsory insurance and the international volunteer agreement.

WEATHER

The climate in Ghana is tropical and there are two main seasons in the country: the wet and the dry.

In southern Ghana, where all our projects take place, you experience the rainy season between the months of March and mid-November.

Average daily temperatures are 30° C (86º F) during the day and 24° C (75.2º F) at night.

CURRENCY

The local currency in Ghana is the Ghanaian Cedi (GH ₵).

The exchange rate tends to be approximately the following: 1 Cedi = 0,16 Euro, 1 Euro.

There are ATMs at the airport and in the larger cities, which you can use to withdraw money.

TOURISM

KAKUM NATIONAL PARK

Kakum National Park is a tropical forest located in the central region of Ghana. It is one of the only three natural sites in the country that offers visitors a tree-top walkway, known as the Kakum Canopy Walkway. Inside you can also find a tree house built in the treetops about 20 meters (65.6 feet) above the ground that offers visitors an adventurous opportunity to spend the night.

The national park is home to many beautiful animals, many of which are endangered; among these you can find target monkeys, African elephants and more.

ACCRA

It is the capital of Ghana and has much to offer to art and history lovers as there are many museums, galleries, libraries and monuments to explore. It is often recommended to visit the National Theatre, the National Museum, Christiansborg Castle, the Jubilee House and/or the Black Star Square.

The most popular beach in town is Labadi Beach. Next to the beach you will also find the Academy of African Music and Arts.

Accra Ghana voluntariado

ELMINA

The city’s main tourist attractions include Elmina Castle, Fort Coenraads burg, the Dutch Cemetery and the fishing fleet.

On the first Tuesday of every July, the town holds an annual festival called the Bakatue Festival which celebrates the sea and the final culture.

CAPE COAST

A city and a port, located in the central region that offers its visitors 32 different festivals throughout the year.

There is also the Cape Coast Castle and the Cape Coast National Cultural Centre for visitors to explore.

KOKROBITE

A small town very close to the area where our volunteer projects take place. It is a popular tourist destination for its beautiful beaches and lively nightlife.

ADA FOAH

A small coastal town famous for its palm-lined beaches and neighboring islands. Many locals and tourists also take advantage of the water sports activities offered by the city.

CAN I HAVE INTERNET IN THE VOLUNTEERING IN GHANA?

Yes you can. When you arrive, ask the project coordinator where you can buy a SIM card with a package that allows you to make calls and stay connected.

A SIM card costs approximately $1 and you will need to recharge it in order to stay connected.

Before you travel make sure your phone is unlocked.
Even if you have internet at home, it is used to check your mail or urgent matters, it often fails and does not have the speed of Europe.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR WHILE VOLUNTEERING IN GHANA?

Considering that Ghana is a tropical and humid country all year round, it is recommended that you wear comfortable summer clothes.

During project activities wear long pants and T-shirts (not short sleeves) and closed shoes.

DO I NEED A VISA TO TRAVEL AS VOLUNTEER IN GHANA?

Yes, you need a visa to travel to Ghana. All nationalities will, except some West African countries.

Visas are valid for 3 months from the date of issue, so we recommend that you apply for your visa a few weeks before your arrival date.

DO I NEED ANY VACCINATIONS IN VOLUNTEERING IN GHANA?

It is recommended that you get the following vaccinations before volunteering in Ghana:

  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Cholera (oral fluid)
  • Malaria (tablets)
  • Yellow fever
  • However, check with your family doctor, which would be the one you need for your volunteer work in Ghana.

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  • Travel information
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