Volunteering in Ghana

Ghana is an African country that is situated right on the south coast of what we call the West African bulge. It shares its borders with Togo, Ivory Coast, Burkina Fasso and the mighty Atlantic Ocean. Ghana has always had a rich cultural and natural heritage. There is a narrow and small grassy plain that stretches inward from the Atlantic coast and widens in the east and this stretch of land is home to dense rainforests and different animals and plant species. One of the major attractions in Ghana is the national park at Kakum. As compared to some of the other countries in Africa, the national parks in Ghana are relatively small. Some of the animals that you will find in Ghana include different species of antelopes, deer, lions, monkeys, and elephants. There is plenty of species of birds for the avid bird watcher and the photographers and then there are the beautiful and colorful butterflies. Another major tourist attraction is the coastline of Ghana, which is home to many palm-fringed and powdery beaches as well as lagoons.

Why Volunteer In Ghana

Ghana offers a great opportunity to volunteers as you will be exposed to some of the extremes that Ghana is famous for. Volunteering in Ghana will involve working with the people and for the people. Teaching is one of the most sought after volunteer jobs but you can have limitless opportunities for contributing to the overall health and welfare of the people of Ghana. Different types of projects that you can work in as a part of volunteering in Ghana include orphanages, education, community development, HIV/AIDS awareness, and health programs.

Types Of Projects Available

As a part of volunteering in Ghana, you will get to choose the kind of project you are interested in. The different types if projects available include:

• Teaching Projects: Ghanaian schools have a dearth of good teachers whether that is for teaching English or for any other subjects. Volunteering in Ghana programs will help you to teach English in different rural schools across Ghana. Teaching is not just limited to English but you can teach various subjects from science to arts. The different forms of teaching will include subject teaching, classroom teaching and extra-curricular activities like arts, sports and Martial arts. You need to have a basic minimum of high school education for this type of volunteer work in Ghana.

• Orphanages: There are over 170,000 orphaned children in Ghana and the primary reason being AIDS. Some of these children’s have been taken by extended family or even friends but not all of them are lucky enough. There are many more that live on their own on the streets of Ghana or in orphanages. As a part of volunteering in Ghana program, you will be working with various orphanages situated all across Ghana and mostly in rural areas.

• Humanitarian Projects: As a volunteer in Ghana, you can opt for humanitarian projects, which are similar to community projects but more extensive and mentally challenging. You will be able to contribute towards educating the under-privileged children and women, assist in HIV/AIDS awareness for the benefit of mankind, and work with the local community in building homes, creating an infrastructure for rural schools etc.

• Health Care: Most of the health care volunteer programs in Ghana deal with diseases, immunization and creating awareness in the community. Volunteering in Ghana will involve handling several projects related to creating HIV/AIDS awareness and maintaining statistics of the AIDS infected population.

Volunteer Requirements

Age: The minimum age for volunteering in Ghana should be 18 or older.

Duration: The standard duration of most projects is 5-8 weeks although they can also vary from 1-2 weeks or 9-12 weeks.

Language: English
Experience: No experience required unless it is a highly technical project.

Fee and Other details

There is a fee attached to each of the projects that you volunteer for. The fee is charged in advance and is charged for the following:

1. Accommodation

2. Emergency evacuation services    

3. Food/meals

4. Travel insurance

5. Transportation within the region

6. Emergency support

7. All types of training material

8. Supervision by local staff

9. Orientation on arrival

10. Local sightseeing & recreational activities

Conclusion
Volunteering in Ghana is a great opportunity for all those who have been longing to make valuable contribution to the continent that is known as the cradle of human civilization. Using your business or technical skills, you will be able to offer a better alternative to the people of Ghana.