Ghana, situated in the heart of West Africa's "Gold Coast," is a country with a rich history and welcoming people. Colonized by various European countries, Ghana marks a key point in the Middle Passage as a center in the trade of gold, ivory, and slaves. In 1957, Ghana gained its independence from the U.K. and has since become one of the least conflicted countries in Africa. Although Ghana has progressed rapidly in recent years, there is still a deep economic divide between the wealthy and poor and a huge need for volunteers.
Volunteers in Ghana are also situated in the heart of West Africa's "Gold Coast." Visitors will experience the welcoming and friendly Ghanaian people, a warm climate, and rich history that stretches back to the Bronze Age. In 1957 Ghana gained its independence from the U.K. and has since become one of the least-conflicted countries in Africa.
There are many reasons to volunteer in Africa: to make a positive impact, to help protect wildlife, to have the opportunity to travel around beautiful countries before or after your volunteer trip, to experience rich and welcoming cultures different than your own, to enjoy a slower lifestyle, and to stand out during a future job search.
If you’re looking to volunteer abroad in Africa, Ghana is a top destination. Whether you’re excited about working in healthcare, with animals, want to teach, or give the local community a boost, Ghana is a great place to start!
General Information for Volunteers
Ghana is one of the safest countries to volunteer in Africa and offers a plethora of volunteer opportunities. Also referred to as "Africa for Beginners", Ghana is the perfect starting point to explore this continent. As a prosperous trading centre and capital city, Accra is the perfect place to start your journey into West Africa.
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Ghana’s climate is tropical and natural beauty abounds from sandy coasts to dense rainforests. As a volunteer in Ghana, you’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in this bountiful culture.
Safety and Health:
Ghana is relatively speaking very safe but like anywhere, theft of electronics is fairly common but not a problem if you travel light and keep track of your belongings. Anything beyond theft is highly uncommon but make sure to ask your volunteer project coordinator for advice when you arrive.
Problems affecting health in Ghana include malaria, water sanitation, HIV/AIDS and a poor doctor to patient ratio. Visitors to Ghana are advised to take vaccinations for yellow fever, Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid, Polio, Rabies, Tetanus and Measles (a scary list but you should have had most of these anyway). Given the high rate of Malaria, it is also important to take Malarone, Doxycycline or Lariam. A mosquito net for your bed and anti-mosquito spray are also highly advised.
Visa Requirements:
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Volunteers will require a tourist visa for their stay. Apply for your visa well in advance to be sure.
If you are planning to volunteer in Ghana for less than 60 days, you must obtain a volunteer visa. To start your application process, you have to get supporting documents from the organization you are volunteering with. A volunteer visa is normally valid for 3 months from the date of issue. It’s also important not to apply too far in advance.
Once you are in Ghana, you can extend your visa every 2 months for as long as you like for about $5 US per month.
Cost of Volunteering:
The suggested daily budget for living as a volunteer abroad in Ghana is between US$ 12 and US$ 35.
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Most volunteer opportunities in Ghana require a fee to be paid to cover your accommodation and support the volunteer organization in Ghana. Volunteers on a budget will also find very affordable programs in Ghana.
Types of Volunteer Opportunities
There are various volunteer opportunities in Ghana to contribute to meaningful work in the community. This is represented in the infrastructure, women’s empowerment, farming, and other volunteer opportunities available in Ghana.
Childcare Volunteer Opportunities
As a childcare volunteer in Ghana, you’ll play an essential role in enriching the daily lives of children. PMGY’s Ghana volunteer programs offer international volunteers the chance to bring joy and support to young children. Working alongside dedicated local staff, you’ll provide care, attention, and encouragement to disadvantaged children. Most importantly, you’ll assist with general childcare and help ensure the smooth running of daily activities when you volunteer with children in Ghana.
Background to the Childcare Program:
Like many developing countries, Ghana has a significant number of families who cannot afford adequate childcare. This program aims to provide quality early childhood education with the help of international volunteers, especially as many daycare facilities are under-resourced and need extra support.
With limited staff, the local children often lack the individual attention they need during their crucial early years of development. Equipping these children with essential life skills, such as learning English and other foundational abilities, helps set them up for brighter futures filled with positive opportunities. As a childcare volunteer in Ghana, you will be an important part of this effort, contributing to the long-term success of these projects and the children’s growth.
Many children will look to you for the care and attention that local staff may not always be able to provide. To volunteer with children in Ghana, it’s important to dedicate your time and skills effectively, ensuring you make the greatest possible impact on the children and the wider community.
Childcare Volunteer Placement Examples:
- Pinnacle Nursery and Kindergarten: Located in central Kumasi, Pinnacle Nursery and Kindergarten provides early years education to approximately 100 children aged 1 to 10. The project aims to offer tuition-free, quality basic education for children in the community. As a childcare volunteer in Ghana, you’ll have the chance to support various areas, including the crèche, nursery, kindergarten, and primary school, all located on the same site. Your role will involve engaging in day-to-day activities such as caring for and interacting with the children, assisting with reading and writing lessons, and supervising playtime.
- Mother and Guardian Choice Preparatory School: Situated in the Tafo region of Kumasi, this project helps children aged 2 to 5 transition into mainstream education. Around 50 children attend the preparatory school daily. Volunteers assist with basic teaching activities, sing songs during assemblies, play games, and help the local staff with tasks like hygiene and feeding. This volunteer work in Ghana is ideal for someone with a compassionate heart and a strong desire to make a meaningful contribution. Volunteering at Mother and Guardian Choice Preparatory School requires patience, self-direction, and a willingness to fully engage with the project.
Your Volunteer Role & Typical Childcare Day:
As a childcare volunteer in Ghana, your role is to support and assist with the daily care, attention, and interaction of the children. Use your free time at the Volunteer House to prepare activities that will engage and inspire the children.
Typically, you will volunteer Monday to Friday for 3-5 hours a day, with working hours usually from 7am to 1pm. Starting early ensures you can provide valuable assistance to the local staff during the busiest times of the day.
Teaching Volunteer Opportunities
As a volunteer teaching English in Ghana, you’ll provide essential support to schools in Kumasi. PMGY’s Ghana volunteer programs give you the chance to make a meaningful impact by helping young children develop their English skills, which are key to improving their future job prospects. Bring your passion, energy, and enthusiasm to inspire learning in a new cultural setting. In addition to teaching English, you’ll have opportunities to teach other subjects such as Science, Maths, and Art, further enriching your experience as you teach English in Ghana.
Background to the Teaching Program:
Ghana is a multilingual country with around 80 languages spoken, many of which are local dialects used only within specific communities. English, inherited from the colonial era, is the country’s official language. However, in many local areas, English is not widely known or spoken.
Interacting with fluent, native English speakers helps significantly improve language skills, which are essential for future employment. Education is a government priority in Ghana, with the implementation of Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education between 1996 and 2005 allowing many poorer families to send their children to school.
Despite these advancements, challenges such as overcrowded classrooms, a lack of educational materials, and weak infrastructure persist. These issues make the educational system fragile, yet you’ll find children eager to learn and excited to see you. If you’re creative and determined, you can make a real difference.
Teaching Program in Ghana | Volunteer in Ghana
Teaching Volunteer Placement Examples:
- Divine International School: At Divine International School, volunteers can work with children aged 4 to 16, supporting local English teachers as teaching assistants and even leading their own classes. Your first day at the school will be an observational one, allowing you to get familiar with your surroundings and meet your class. From the second day, you’ll dive into teaching, warmly welcomed by enthusiastic children who greet you with excitement every morning. Every day at Divine International School is a special experience filled with smiles and energy.
- Christian Life Teaching School: Established in 2013, Christian Life Teaching School started as a small project with just two students. Today, it has grown to host nearly 400 pupils. However, with only 11 classrooms and approximately 40 students per class, the school faces challenges in maintaining the quality of lessons, making the role of a volunteer teaching English in Ghana incredibly valuable. Volunteers at Christian Life Teaching School receive a timetable outlining their daily schedule. You’ll work as a teaching assistant and have opportunities to lead classes, bringing fresh ideas and enthusiasm to the classroom.
Your Volunteer Role & Typical Teaching Day:
As a volunteer teaching English in Ghana, your role involves assisting local teachers as well as planning and leading your own lessons. You’ll focus on creating a more student-oriented approach to teaching that is interactive and engaging. It’s important to remain open-minded and understand that change takes time, but your efforts to promote best practices in teaching English will contribute to long-term improvements.
In general, your volunteer abroad program runs Monday to Friday for around 3-5 hours a day. Typical project hours are from 9am to 2pm, with lunch taken at the project site.
Medical Volunteer Opportunities
As a medical volunteer in Ghana, you’ll gain firsthand experience and valuable insight into the Ghanaian healthcare system. PMGY’s Ghana volunteer programs offer an incredible blend of professional and cultural immersion. The medical project gives you the chance to explore various departments within a large government hospital, learning from dedicated local staff and actively contributing to their work.
Background to the Medical Program:
Since the introduction of the National Health Insurance Act in 2003, access to healthcare in Ghana has seen significant improvements. However, challenges persist, particularly in rural areas, where many patients seek treatment for illnesses caused by poor sanitation.
Malaria remains one of the leading causes of death and illness in Ghana, while HIV/AIDS continues to affect countless lives. Many of these health issues are preventable, making public health education a key focus alongside treating immediate cases. The healthcare system in Ghana works tirelessly to not only address urgent medical needs but also to educate local communities on preventative measures.
We offer medical placements for individuals from all backgrounds. Whether you’re a school leaver seeking work experience to strengthen your university application or a nursing/medical student arranging an overseas elective, we can cater to your needs.
As a medical volunteer in Ghana, you’ll gain firsthand exposure to healthcare practices and medical projects that may be completely different from those in your home country.
To make the most of your experience, you’ll need to effectively manage your time and skills during your project.
Hospital Placements:
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital: Originally established in 1962 as a small community clinic, it has grown into one of the largest government hospitals in Kumasi. As a medical volunteer in Ghana, you’ll likely have the chance to observe multiple divisions. To make the most of your experience, we recommend spending a minimum of one week in each department.
- Tafo Government Hospital: Situated in the town of Tafo in Kumasi, Tafo Government Hospital is managed by Ghana’s Ministry of Health. It serves a population of over 60,000 people. During your placement, you can shadow local healthcare professionals across various departments, such as: Dentistry, Dermatology, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Family Health, General O.P.D, General Surgery, Laboratory, Maternity & Midwifery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, Psychology, Radiology, Ultrasound.
Staff at both hospitals are welcoming and appreciative of your involvement, creating a positive environment for learning and information sharing. You’ll encounter a range of unique cases, including Typhoid, Polio, and Tuberculosis, as well as tropical diseases like Malaria, Leishmaniasis, and Dengue.
While both facilities use modern treatments, you’ll also see firsthand the challenges of operating within an under-resourced and understaffed healthcare system.
Community Development Volunteer Opportunities
Go Volunteer Africa engages into programs and projects which improve on the sanitation of poor people and these include clearing of drinking wells, building of dry racks and the digging of latrines as well as education of healthy living practices.
Help in the construction of the new children’s centre and schools. Carpentry, builders, porters and helpers, group volunteering is welcome. Volunteer work side by side the locals’ on-going brick construction and water building projects in the community.
Volunteers do not need prior experience, but skilled workers are very welcome. This is a very hand on, hands dirty sort of program.
Final Thoughts
Volunteering in Ghana offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a vibrant culture while making a tangible difference in the lives of others. Whether you're passionate about childcare, education, healthcare, or community development, Ghana provides a platform for meaningful contributions and personal growth. By dedicating your time and skills, you can help address critical needs and empower local communities to build a brighter future.
