The Comprehensive Guide to Volunteering in Ghana

Here you will discover the popular projects and volunteer organizations that offer opportunities in Ghana, along with the tips and hints you need to know to ensure a safe and enjoyable volunteering experience in Ghana.

Chapter 1 : How to Get Started: Volunteering in Ghana

Welcome to Ghana

As the natives say, Akwaaba, or welcome, to Ghana! This beautiful country nestled along the Gulf of Guinea is rich with colorful cultures, beaches, rainforests, deserts, national parks, wildlife, cities, and historical sites. Not to mention, you’ll encounter some of the friendliest people on Earth!

This African country teams with a diverse range of cultures, religions, and ethnic groups that exude a welcoming energy. Fall in love with the warm-hearted people of Ghana as you explore their festivals filled with soulful music and dance. The sounds of native, African drums will surely awaken an energy like no other within you.

When you choose to volunteer in Ghana, you are signing on to one of the most amazing experiences of your life.

While Ghana maintains a relatively stable democracy compared to other African countries, the country still suffers from extreme poverty in areas. Many residents in local communities lack access to proper healthcare and education. They lie below the poverty line and need the help of volunteers like you to achieve success.

Countless volunteer opportunities in Ghana provide you the opportunity to apply your skills and efforts to communities of need. Choose to work in construction, education, medicine, conservation, and social development.

Volunteering in Ghana will prove one of the most influential experiences of your life. Emerge with a greater appreciation of life while drastically improving the lives of those you work with.

Why everyone should volunteer in Ghana

Friendly and welcoming people

The proud people of Ghana have a well-known reputation for being some of the friendliest people in Africa. With open doors, warm hearts, and bright smiles, the nurturing people of Ghana will make you feel at home within moments of arriving.

Cultural immersion

Ghana, like many African countries, adopts countless different cultures that each emit their own unique and inviting aura. As a volunteer in Ghana, travel throughout the country exploring the different foods, religions, languages, and lifestyles that characterize each culture around the country.

Safe Travel

With a rather economically stable environment, Ghana proves an incredibly safe country to travel in. With comfortable people living in tight-knit communities, volunteers and tourists alike enjoy free travel while they visit their country.

Natural Surroundings

From glistening mountain peaks and expansive valleys to serene beaches and the sandy Savannah desert, Ghana is blessed with a diverse geographical environment. Beautiful landscapes and idyllic vistas mark this country’s landscape everywhere you look. When you volunteer in Ghana, you will have ample opportunities to explore the natural surrounding

Impact the world

Volunteering in Ghana provides you and your colleagues the opportunity to truly change the lives of those you interact with. Pass on your education, skills, and knowledge to the people of Ghana in every conversation you have. Whether you know it or not, your presence will mean the world to the people you meet.

Discover yourself

With the warm-hearted people of Ghana as your guide, you will immerse yourself in an entirely new culture. Living amongst foreign cultures and adapting to a new world will force your thoughts inwards. Along the way, you’ll discover what activities excite you, sadden you and intrigue you. You’ll gain confidence in the process and emerge a stronger, more accepting human being.

Give Back

In the comfort of your own home, you can choose to act as you wish. Eat out every night, watch a few movies in a row with a heaping bucket of popcorn, or spend a night out with friends at a restaurant. No matter your interest, at home your time may go well-applied or frivolously wasted!

While you volunteer in Ghana, you will apply your time in a more productive manner. Give back to others as you apply your skills and interests to a foreign culture and spread your knowledge in a worthwhile way in the process.

Experience a new world as though it is your own

Volunteers in Ghana live amongst local families and communities in order to gain an insight into the locals’ perspectives. Feel integrated as one of the natives’ own and become a proud member of their culture, customs, and traditions during your stay.

What are some of the best volunteer projects available in Ghana?

Countless different volunteer opportunities in Ghana exist, each requiring a distinct set of skills and attributes to succeed. Below, we’ve provided you a detailed list of popular volunteer projects that you can join in Ghana.

Work in an orphanage

While Ghana is a safe and welcoming country, the high poverty rates have left many children without homes. Orphanages around the country provide these children with a safe shelter, promising education, and enough love and care to fuel them to success.

As a volunteer in Ghana, you will earn the chance to work directly with orphanages across the country. Work to strengthen the children’s education and emotional development systems, improve the health and hygiene care, and fortify the nurturing environment that these children rely on.

Teaching

Education is extremely valuable in Ghana as access to quality teaching and academic resources is far from a luxury. Volunteer teaching programs in Ghana employ strategies to enhance and improve the development of children across the country.

Your personal role as a volunteer teacher in Ghana will be to provide quality English courses for students as well as organize and oversee interactive and educational games, arts and crafts activities, outdoor events, and more.

Healthcare

Healthcare opportunities are plentiful in Ghana. Work to promote and provide underprivileged communities with the proper healthcare, hygienic education, and medical assistance they need in order to thrive.

Healthcare volunteers in Ghana will work to provide thorough assistance to medical professionals as well as aid and support patients. Work directly with agencies working to educate the public on such issues as HIV/AIDS and hygiene.

Athletics

Like in any country, sports can be a useful tool for uniting the world. Athletic volunteers in Ghana will set up physical activities and sports to increase youth activity and interaction across the country. Strengthen long term health benefit as you instill teamwork, social interaction, and other life skills into the children you work with. Encourage communities to grow through sports and athletic activity!

Volunteers in these programs will apply their interests and skills to a range of sports and physical activities to aid the development of young children in Ghana.

Construction

Construction volunteer programs in Ghana focus on rebuilding, maintaining and restoring facilitates and building such as orphanages, schools, clinics, and community centers around the country. Volunteers in Ghana will partake in a range of physical activities from laying bricks to carpentry and digging foundations.

Where are some of the best places to volunteer in Ghana?

Volunteer programs in Ghana are available in both rural and urban locations. Some sites offer more densely populated environments while others feature more vacant scenery. Because of the nature of their locations, some cities serve as better volunteer locations for volunteers.

Here is a list of some of the best destinations for volunteers in Ghana.

Volta Region: The Volta Region is located on the eastern edge of the Volta Lake and shares a border with the Togo region. This expansive area features countless different tourist attractions including: Mt. Afadjado-the tallest mountain in Ghana, Volta Lake, scenic coastlines and beaches, the Keta basin, and stunning waterfalls. Several national parks and wildlife reserves offer great avenues for daily trips and tours as well.

The Volta region offers a wide variety of adventurous activities. While volunteering in Votla Region of Ghana, you can journey to the Volta region for an experience rich with historical and cultural experiences.

Some of the most popular volunteer opportunities in the Volta Region include: teaching, healthcare work, orphanage aid, female empowerment, disability work and child development programs.

Accra: Situated on the Atlantic Coast, Ghana’s thriving city of Accra combines both 19th century public buildings with modern, advanced designs. Colorful vistas, busy markets, exquisite cuisine, and a lively nightlife make Accra a prime location for any volunteer in Accra Ghana looking to explore the country’s wondrous roots.

Some of the most popular volunteer opportunities in Accra include: orphanage work, childcare development, general care, healthcare initiatives, construction projects, educational fields, and agricultural needs.

Kumasi: Located deep in the Ashanti Region and known as an important historic landmark in Ghana, the city of Kumasi offers visitors a wide berth of cultural, historical, and natural wonders to explore. Kumasi is home to some of the greatest lakes, namely Lake Bosumtwi, the massive Manhyia Palace and the national cultural center for dancing and drumming.

Surrounded by impressive rolling hills and mountaisde villages, you can find traditional artisans crafting goods of all sorts throughout Kumasi. While volunteering in Kumasi, Ghana immerse yourself in a unique culture complete with novel traditions and customs.

Some of the best volunteer opportunities in Kumasi include: HIV/AIDS Projects, veterinary and animal care work, orphanage aid and teaching positions.

What is the best season to volunteer in Ghana?

Any season is a good season to visit Ghana, but if you prefer warm, calming weather we recommend visiting Ghana in between either July and August or December and April. You’ll find some of the best cultural events during these times as well.

Because of its diverse geographical landscape, climates vary across the country. Check which region your volunteer placement is in before traveling. Hotter and more humid weather is more likely along the southern coast of Ghana while cooler weather prevails in the north. If you’re hoping to visit the south, we recommend traveling between November and March or July and August as the weather runs dryer and cooler making for a more pleasant experience.

Take note that some volunteer programs only accept volunteers for certain times of the year. Verify your dates beforehand with your organization.

Chapter 2: Preparing to Volunteer in Ghana

Once you’ve accepted your specific volunteer placement in Ghana, the next step is to begin preparing for your travel abroad. Get everything you need organized ahead of time to prevent any unwanted hiccups or obstacles down the line.

Below is a thorough pre-travel checklist to consider before your adventure.

Visa

All foreign nationals visiting Ghana with the intentions of volunteering must request a special ‘volunteer visa.’ This visa can be acquired at the closest Ghanaian Embassy, consulate or High Commissions office nearest you. Apply at least one month prior to your departure date to leave ample time for processing.

Passport

All foreign nationals entering Ghana, regardless of their intentions, must hold a valid passport with more than six months of validity from the day of their arrival. A single entry visa to Ghana allows visitors to stay up to 3 months without leaving. Make sure you arrange visa to volunteer in Ghana

Vaccinations

Before traveling to volunteer in Ghana, make sure you are sufficiently protected against any unwanted illnesses or diseases. Visit your local doctor or emergency clinic to check up all routine vaccinations including: tetanus, diphtheria, polio, mumps, measles, and rubella. You may also need a few booster shots or extraneous vaccinations depending upon your time of departure and volunteer region.

Hepitatis A & B, typhoid, and yellow fever vaccination shots come highly recommended to anyone traveling to Ghana. Also, take note that neighboring countries often require written proof of vaccinations for travelers who have previously spent time in Ghana.

For more information on health precautions and vaccinations recommended for travel to Ghana, consult your nearest doctor or check online at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Airfare

Standard airfare to an African country may run quite expensive. Here are a few helpful tip to help reduce the cost of airfare when traveling to Africa.

• Do your research to find how quotes vary from airline to airline
• Verify which international airports you can fly into and out of
• Compare prices through online booking search engines
• Reset your cache before returning to a search engine
• Compare prices for different travel routes
• Travel to Ghana during a low season
• Sign up for airline newsletters for the best and most up to date deals and alerts
• Always read the fine print before purchasing! Check for extra costs such as cancellation, baggage, and refreshment fees.

Fundraising

From the airfare to the costs of materials, volunteering in Ghana can cost a pretty penny. However, if you fear delving into your bank account or running out of money, consider fundraising efforts to help pay for your journey. Countless successful fundraising campaigns prove that you can not only raise the money you need, but do so in a fun and exciting way.

The best and quickest way to raise support for your cause is to contact friends and family about your adventure. Organize a charity event and host a dinner party, picnic, movie night, or fashion show to gather everyone in support of your cause. You can even sell your old trinkets at a local flea market or online for some added cash.

Fortunately, there are countless ways to fundraise for your project, and each can be achieved with just a bit of hard work. Once you’re ready, go online and create a crowdfunding account on a website such as Gofundme.com With some promotion, you’ll reach your goal in no time and be on your way to volunteering in Ghana.

Check out the website for some added tips concerning fundraising campaigns. .

Suggested Reading for volunteering in Ghana:

When you’re traveling, it’s always a smart idea to learn as much as you can about the foreign world before and during your stay. For a firm grasp on Ghanaian culture and lifestyle, here are a few good books to read to prepare yourself.

What books we suggest:

• Ghana (Brandt Travel Guide) by Philip Briggs
• Ghana-Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture by Ian Utley
• No Worries! The Indispensable Guide to Ghana & Accra by North American Women's Association (NAWA)
• I Speak of Ghana by Nana Awere Damoah
• Once Upon a Time in Ghana. Traditional Ewe Stories Retold in English by Anna Cottrell and Agbotadua Togbi Kumassah

Packing advice and tips for volunteer in Ghana

Before you begin packing for your volunteer opportunity in Ghana, take some time to create a detailed list of items you will need to accompany you during your journey. Here is what we have come up with to get you started.

• Travel documentation (visa, passport, travel confirmations, travel insurance policy)
• Credit card (Visa debit is recommended to easily access funds from an ATM)
• Ghana travel guide book
• Torch or headlamp and spare batteries
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Light overnight bad or day pack for short trips
• Sarong or cotton wrap
• Travel towel
• Tissues of wet-wipes
• Camera and accessories (charger, batteries, memory card)
• Cables and cords for electrical devices
• Travel adaptor
• Toiletries
• Any required medications
• Light weight rain jacket
• Light weight, easy to dry clothing, (try to avoid packing any white clothes as they can get quite dirty, quite quickly)
• At least one smart casual outfit for dining or going out.

Gift for Projects

As a sign of your appreciation, pack a few small gifts for your host family and project leaders. These gifts do not have to be big or expensive, in fact, we suggest they are not. Consider small tokens or memorabilia from your home country such as t-shirts, photobooks, or small souvenirs that others can remember you by.

If you plan on working in an orphanage or with children in some way, other gifts may include school supplies, books, and toys. The thought alone will go a thousand miles and your kids will immediately appreciate your kindness and respect.

Chapter 3: Must Know Information Regarding Your Volunteer Project

Before departing for your volunteer program in Ghana, you may feel a host of unfamiliar emotions and feelings. When this peculiar mixture of excitement, zeal, fear, anxiety, and nervousness hits your heart, remember that the more you learn about your adventure beforehand, the calmer you will feel. With your head firmly on your shoulders, you’ll be ready to attack any obstacle that comes your way.

Here are just a few helpful tips to consider before you leave for Ghana:

Get all the details you can about your project in Ghana:

For a care-free, enjoyable time, it is highly advisable that you gather as much information as you can about your volunteer program in Ghana before your departure date. Contact your volunteer organization with any questions or uncertainties.

Make sure to ask for the following:

• Name, address and contact details for your volunteer project -
• Expectations, rules and guidelines
• Duties and responsibilities
• Hours of work per week and per day; including starting, finishing and break times
• What you are required to wear for your project
• If transport to and from your project is included or whether you need to make your own arrangements
• Who is your supervisor and who you will need to report to
• Who you will working with

Learn about your host family

If you are paired with a host family for the duration of your volunteer program in Ghana, reach out to them before your arrival date. That way, when you get to Ghana you’ll already have a pre-established sense of familiarity with them!

Your Ghanaian host family will accept you as one of their own and help assimilate you to a true Ghanaian way of life. Learn about their culture, customs, and traditions firsthand.

Find out:

• Where your host family lives and how far from the project site their home is located
• How many family members will you live with, and what are their names, ages, and genders
• Where do they work
• What are some of their hobbies
• Do you have a private or shared room
• What kind of access will you have to the living room, kitchen, and laundry room
• Are you allowed to have friends over
• Do they offer any cultural immersion opportunities
• Has the family hosted volunteers prior to you
• If they have, what kinds of rules do you need to abide by

Get connected with the local staff:

It is essential that before traveling to Ghana to volunteer, you obtain all the information you can regarding your local support team. Find out who exactly will serve as your local point of contact and the ways in which you can reach out to him or her. If walk-in-office hours are available, figure out where they are located.

The local staff in Ghana is who you will contact shall any concerns or issues arise during your stay in Ghana. They may also provide you with any advice or information on living and traveling to Ghana to ease your transition. Kick off your new relationship before you arrive and reach out to them for some quality travel tips and suggestions.

Make the final call:

Just before leaving for Ghana, place one final call to your volunteer organization. Ask any last-minute questions on your mind and confirm any and all travel related details.

Here are a few things to clarify:

• Confirm that your flight details have been received and confirmed. This includes your airline host, flight number, date, and arrival time.
• Verify any pre-determined travel arrangements including airport pick up and drop off times. Make sure you identify who is picking you up in this case.
• Carry any personal contact details and emergency contact details.
• Double check details regarding your volunteer project in Ghana and your host family accommodation.

Chapter 4: Volunteering in Ghana

How to ensure a positive and rewarding volunteer experience in Ghana

Volunteering in Ghana is sure to become an experience unlike any other. Discover a new world, emerge yourself in a fascinating culture, and forge life-long relationships with like-minded people.

When you embark on such an adventure, you agree to offer your skills, knowledge, and advice to those with whom you will work. Such a sense of comradery and community will foster a whole new appreciation for life and culture that you will take with you for the rest of your life.

Research

Traveling to Ghana for volunteer purposes exposes you to an entirely unfamiliar environment with new cultures, customs, and traditions to assimilate to. However, this change will make your volunteer experience in Ghana one-of-a-kind and thus truly life-changing.

To help expedite your assimilation to Ghana’s environment, take your time to research the country’s political, economic, cultural, and societal environments beforehand. With this knowledge under your belt, you will feel a lot more comfortable when you arrive.

Know what is expected of you:

It is essential to outline everything that is required of you as a volunteer before your travels so that no unnecessary complications or misunderstandings arise. Ask your volunteer organization for the specific duties and responsibilities you will have during your time so that you can prepare yourself to succeed. Make sure to inquiry about and rules and regulations as well.

If you do a thorough job, you should drastically minimize the chances of any problems arising during your volunteer experience in Ghana.

Get to know your host family and surrounding locals

Forging relationships with the locals in Ghana will become perhaps the most rewarding aspect of your experience abroad. You will unveil an entirely new world, and, in the process, grow in ways you never could have imagined. Learn to understand the world from another’s perspective as opposed to the often tunnel-vision tourist mindset.

Be outgoing, adventure and seek out any new experiences with your host family and locals in and around your project site. Each person you meet will further ease your transition into the fascinating world of Ghana.

Remember the reason as to why you are volunteering

You are volunteering for a reason: because you feel passionately about helping those around you. During your time in Ghana, soak in the smiles and welcoming arms of those around you. You and your work will go greatly appreciated. Remember that you are making a real difference.

Do not expect to see changes immediately

While your time, effort, dedication, knowledge, and skills will drastically improve the lives of many countless locals and their communities, you may not see the changes you want to see within the first few hours.

Keep in mind that volunteering is difficult and while your impact is great, it may take time for locals to truly embrace the newfound knowledge. Be persistent and help those around you grow. Eventually, you will see your efforts come to fruition.

Raise any concerns or issues

Your volunteering experience in Ghana should be nothing short of amazing, so if any issues or concerns arise during your project’s duration, make sure to let your local support team know about the issue as soon as possible.

Safety in Ghana

When you journey to Africa to volunteer in Ghana, be aware that you are possibly exposing yourself to unfamiliar risks that may not exist in your home country. Crimes such as pick-pocketing and purse snatching, as well as more violent crimes involving foreign tourists, and political situations may arise, especially in Northern Ghana.

Here are some recommendations to keep you safe during your time in Ghana:

• Unless required for a specific purpose, always carry a photocopy of your passport as opposed to the original document.
• Purchase a quality travel insurance policy with maximum coverage that offers 24-hour support.
• Check for travel warnings or safety advice about Ghana before you leave(See links below)

  Smarttraveller

  Ghana Information- Government of Canada

• Ensure that your volunteer project is located in a safe area.
• Make sure you have received all the necessary vaccinations and medications required for safe travel to Ghana.
• Send copies of your travel information and personal documents to family members and close friends.
• Update your bank regarding your travel dates to Ghana in order to prevent any issues while using it abroad.
• Register your travel itinerary with your embassy. Some embassies permit you to do this online, for example:

  Australians

  New Zealanders

  US Citizens

• Gather all contact details regarding your volunteer organization, local support staff, embassy, and emergency contacts in Ghana.
• Leave your most prized possessions at home to avoid falling victim to petty theft or pickpocketing. If you need to take your valuables outside, make sure they are well concealed so you don’t attract any unwanted attention.
• Always catch a registered taxi as taxi scams are prevalent.
• Always seek to travel in groups, especially in the evenings.
• Always be aware of your surroundings and pay attention to landmarks or street names so that you don’t get lost
• Write down the address of your project, and accommodation address in-case you need help finding your way.
• Use common sense! if it doesn’t feel right, then don’t do it.
• Be aware of your belongings at all times. Keep an eye out for pickpockets, frauds, and scam artists.

Do’s and don’ts in Ghana

Do’s

• Respect the local people, their cultures, traditions and beliefs
• Get to know the culture of the country
• Never enter a room silently, people expect a greeting of some sorts
• Only use your right hand to make payments or greet people
• Be respectful to all people especially the elders
• Be prepared to share food and stories
• Dress conservatively and appropriately
• Visit the local chief when you are in small villages or rural areas
• Visit the indigenous tribes and learn a few of the basic greeting words

Don’t

• Forget to exchange pleasantries with the seller before buying anything
• Do not disagree openly about their cultures, religions or beliefs
• Do not make rude or derogatory remarks about politics, religion or ethnicity
• Do not disrespect any rules or guidelines
• Waste anything. Ghanaian culture values using everything to its fullest extent.
• Do not lose passion for your volunteer project

Anticipate Culture Shock

Culture shock can occur in a myriad of ways when you suddenly relocate to a new environment, especially when that new environment is a developing nation with foreign value systems, traditions, customs, cultures, and beliefs. While your living scenario will vary drastically from your normal surroundings, with a calm and open mind you will adjust with ease.

You may find the differences in living scenarios overwhelming at times, but learning to accept your new surroundings will help you gain a whole new appreciation for foreign culture and lifestyle.

Here are a few important tips to keep in mind when dealing with culture shock in Ghana.

Learn from previous volunteers

You will not be the first volunteer in Ghana to face lifestyle differences. Read through blogs, past reviews and quotes provided by previous volunteers in Ghana. Reading through these will provide you with a god idea on how to overcome culture shock and best embrace the foreign culture.

Even though other volunteers may have experiences Ghana in their own unique way hearing from their perspective will surely help you prepare for your own adventure. Pull what suggestions you can from others to feel as comfortable as possible.

Some websites will offer you great insight into how others have experienced volunteering in Ghana.

Discover the culture, customs, and traditions that Ghana offers

Ghana adopts cultures, customs, and traditions that you will have never seen before. Take your time to learn about these differences. Doing such will provide you with a rewarding experience that will help you grow into a more understanding person.

When you are volunteering abroad in Ghana spend as much time as you can uncovering the locals’ way of life. Learn what you can about local medicinal plants, attend religious ceremonies, partake in cooking classes, experiment with local food, visit indigenous tribes, and jump into situations that excite your curiosity.

Embrace the experience

Another way to prosper over culture shock is to embrace the unfamiliar. Instead of picking out the differences and shying away from them, attack them with open arms. Living in a foreign country can feel rough at times, but if you remember why you’re in Ghana and how much of an impact you will have, then no difference will stand too great.

Focusing on your mission will constantly remind you of the impact you will have on the individuals, communities, and families with which you will interact. Provide a better quality of life to those around you as you embrace the foreign lifestyle. Become confident in your actions, even if you’re partaking in an activity for the very first time. You will help others, so in turn let them teach you!

Forge friendships with like-minded individuals

Living away from home in a foreign country can seem difficult, especially in a developing nation. But with patience and an outgoing spirit, you can quickly assimilate to your new surroundings with the help of fellow volunteers, staff members, and local friends.

Your local support staff will integrate you into your project’s community. Make an effort to reach out to your fellow volunteers to learn how to overcome issues such as culture shock, less-than-ideal living situations, and abnormal emotions.

Things to do in Ghana

• Discover the natural beauty throughout the country
• Get up close and personal with a variety of species at the Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary
• Become mesmerized by the incredible forts and castles built along the Cape Coasts and Elmina
• Pay a visit to the ancient city of Kumasi: an area known as the cultural hub of Ghana
• Watch wildlife roam free at the Mole National Park: the largest game reserve in Ghana
• Tour the rural villages and communities in your area
• Visit the Amansuri wetlands where the famous, stilted village of Nzuelzu lies.
• Enjoy the natural beauty offered in the Volta region
• Learn from natives and enjoy traditional African drumming and dancing
• See Wli Falls, the largest waterfall in West Africa
• Experience one of Ghana’s many festivals, celebrations, or ceremonies
• Take a journey through one of Ghana’s national parks or reserves
• Get to know the locals who will embrace you as one of their own
• Shop to your heart’s content in the city of Accra
• Indulge on some quality r&r along one of the Atlantic coast beaches
• Tour the witch settlements known for harboring those accused of witchcraft

Chapter 5: Completing Your Project and Following Up

Whether you’re traveling to Ghana for one week or several months, your volunteer experience in Ghana is likely to be one of the most memorable and life-changing experiences of your life.

Upon returning home, you may want to share your experiences and stories from Ghana with the rest of the world. Starting a blog is a great way to get the word out and tell your friends. Use your story, and experiences to highlights the beautiful country. Include the good, the bad, and the ugly as well as any photos and videos to accompany your stories.

A blog also serves as a great way raise awareness for your volunteer mission in Ghana. Share the amazing work you completed during your time and the achievements you and your team reached. Other volunteers and hopeful travelers will read your blog and hopefully decide to venture across the world themselves.

Once you’re settled back into your normal lifestyle, take the time to provide your volunteer organization with quality and constructive feedback. What you say mention about the booking process, support team, host family etc. will go greatly appreciated by your organization.

The information you provide can help enhance future volunteer projects in Ghana.

If you want, feel free to provide your volunteer organization with constant updates. If you are truly passionate about supporting the volunteer campaigns, continue to raise awareness for your project and similar projects by encouraging new, prospective volunteers.

To best show the world how amazing Ghana is, organize charity events, fun runs, film nights, talent shows, and fashion parades to demonstrate your support. You can even create exciting competitions and raffles. Sponsors will support your mission or donate to your online campaigns if proceeds raised go towards supporting the program you worked on.

Keep in touch with the locals, fellow volunteers, and support staff you became friends with while volunteering in Ghana. These people will serve as an excellent support network for future volunteer endeavors or campaigns.

Chapter 6: Most Frequently Asked Questions by Volunteers

How will I travel from the airport to my host family’s/volunteer house?

Your volunteer organization in Ghana will meet you at the airport in Ghana and subsequently escort you to your designated accommodation. Confirm any times, names, and travel date prior to your departure to Ghana.

Will local staff offer any support in Ghana?

Yes! At least one local staff member will provide 24/7 aid to you and your fellow volunteers throughout the duration of you volunteer trip in Ghana. Gather the project coordinator’s personal contact information prior to your arrival in Ghana.

How many other volunteers will work with me?

The number of volunteers joining you completely depends on your particular project assignment. Some volunteer programs in Ghana require fewer hands to complete their project, whereas other projects require many volunteers to ensure efficiency.Contact your volunteer organization before departure to Ghana to verify how many volunteers will join you and whether or not you will live with a fellow volunteer or in a host family.

If I volunteer with a friend, can we work on the same project and live together?

Living and working with a friend should pose no obstacle to your volunteer project in Ghana. To ensure everything runs smoothly, call your organization a few months prior to your departure as they may need to make special accommodations for you.

Will my host family speak English?

To check what language your host family speaks, contact your volunteer placement in Ghana for the specific details. Since both Swahili and English are the two official languages of Tanzania, rest assured that an English speaker will always be within an arm’s reach.

Can I travel to other towns and cities on my days off?

Of course, you can! And we want you to! As long as your volunteer duties are fulfilled and no tasks remain to complete, pack your bags and set out into the luscious fields of Ghana for the rare chance to see what so many travelers praise! Ghana is one of the most beautiful countries on Earth, so take advantage of any opportunity you can to enjoy it!

Do I have to bring my own bedding and mosquito net?

If you are living with a host family, then your local family should provide you with bedding. Host families will not, however, provide you with a free mosquito net. Before traveling, research the seasonal conditions related to your travel dates. If need be, you may have to pack a mosquito net to protect from harmful pathogens. You might also want to consider bringing ear plugs as, in more urban areas, the nights bring loud noises.

What if I don’t speak the native language?

Since English is Ghana’s official language, you should always be able to find someone to communicate with.

How will I travel to and from my project every day?

Your travel necessities depend upon your project and accommodation location. You may find yourself living on the premises of your volunteer placement or within walking distance. If you find yourself located further away, ask you organization for public transportation tips, or if they will simply provide you with rides back and forth.

Can I speak with a past volunteer who has completed the placement?

Yes, you should contact as many volunteers as you can! Ask your volunteer organization for the contact information of recent volunteers. You may also want to scour the internet for volunteer reviews of the program you will be completing.

What kind of food will I eat in Ghana?

All of your meals included in your program feel will be based on local cuisine. Typical Ghanaian cuisine boasts a starchy diet with sweet potatoes, rice, beans, yams, and maize as its core staples. You will almost always find accompanying soups and sauces.

How many hours per day will I volunteer?

Most volunteering placements in Ghana required between 4-6 hours of labor each day. However, before traveling confirm that both you and your volunteer organization agree to the terms of your volunteer project. Some volunteer organizations require a 40-hour work week, while other smaller companies only ask for a few hours of your day at a time. If you find yourself working in the agricultural or construction industry, you may have to begin work rather early in the day. Other projects may ask you to start at a later time. In any case, it is always best to check with your volunteer organization for any matters concerning your work load and requirements.

How much money should I bring?

With three meals and accommodation included, an average allotment of around $50 USD should be more than enough for any personal expenses. If you consider yourself an avid shopper, traveler, or spender, consider bringing some extra cash to fit your needs.

This free eBook has been written as a general reference for information regarding potential volunteers. We cannot guarantee the ongoing validity of the contents outlined in this eBook as there may be changes in reference to the destination. This should not be considered a definite guide to the subject covered as it is simply information to help aid volunteers. We cannot be held liable for any damages if you use this book without verifying its contents.