Ghana
A peaceful and welcoming country, Ghana satisfies one’s appetite for both modern and traditional life. Its wide valleys, low-lying coastal plains, and thick rainforests resound with the beat of traditional rituals, while the cities glow and vibrate with all the bustle of the modern world.
Ghanaians are known as the friendliest people in West Africa: warm, proud yet humble with a contagious and calming sense of humour. Just by observing life in Ghana, you will learn a great deal. If you make an effort to get closer to Ghanaians, they can teach you so many things.
With more than two decades of progressive, peaceful and democratic political stability, as well as a robust and growing economy, Ghana has emerged as a leader in Sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, despite Ghana’s relative prosperity, poverty remains pervasive particularly in the north of the country, which now account for half of Ghana’s population living under the poverty line.
Volunteers can contribute their time and energy to inspirational community projects, while gaining a real understanding of the country and its culture.
Main Features
- 4 day cultural orientation
- Homestay with a local host family
- Projects: Teaching, Welfare, Health Care, Conservation, Community Development
- Optional Drumming, Dance, Language and Craft workshops
- From 2 to 24 weeks
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Projects
There are many interesting projects available in the categories listed below. Our goal is to match the skills and expectations of the participants with the needs of the local projects. Our volunteer coordinator in the field will suggest a project for you once they have your application. They are well placed to match your skills and interests to the right placement.
Teaching
Assisting the teacher or taking your own classes can be very rewarding for volunteers who love working with children. Our educational projects vary from pre-school and crèches to primary and secondary education. The schools we work with can be very basic and overcrowded so as a teaching volunteer you’ll be able to give the children much-needed attention. The role of a volunteer teacher can include assisting a local teacher, taking your own classes, preparing lesson plans and marking work. There will also be opportunities to organise extra curricular activities, from arts and crafts, dance and music, to sports days and football matches.
Welfare and Orphanage work
You will be working with children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds in a local project such as orphanages and day care centres. The extra care and attention offered by volunteer workers is highly appreciated by the staff, children and community alike. Your role could involve caring for and playing with the children, organising fun events such as concerts, sports competitions, plays and dance classes or helping with a range of educational activities such as homework clubs and English classes. Ghanaian children love to learn about different cultures so you can be guaranteed that you’ll be quizzed about where you come from.
Medical work and Healthcare
If you’ve got experience in nursing, medicine or physiotherapy then you might be interested in working on a health care project. During your volunteer work in Ghana you can assist staff in clinics, hospitals or care homes. HIV/AIDS is a big problem in Ghana and you may also get involved with an HIV care project. The work in these projects will be varied. It is likely that you will spend a lot of your time shadowing local staff in their daily work whilst observing how they interact with and manage their patients. You will also be invited to offer a more hands-on role to the care being provided. Your role might involve a range of work from recording medical backgrounds to providing emotional support to patients. Volunteers must be prepared for some disorganisation in the work place and be self motivated and pro active in their approach.
Community development
Volunteers in Ghana are needed to help in community centres and in Ghana. Despite many people living in poverty, Ghanaian villages have a great community spirit. Whatever project you work in, you’ll become part of this, working side by side with community members. The roles available to volunteers are varied. Depending on your experience you could help to train young people and early school leavers in vocational skills with a view to making them employable within their local communities. You could help teach skills such as dress making, carpentry along with maths, English and IT. You could assist with local fundraising, promoting the centre within the local community as well as helping out with daily administration tasks.
Environment
The natural environment in Ghana has come under threat from population growth, deforestation, lack of environmental consciousness and education, and an absence of environmental protection laws. Volunteers can assist in conservation and ecotourism projects that have been set up to combat these trends such as tree nurseries and environmental awareness projects. To work in this area, you must enjoy the outdoors, be enthusiastic and willing to get your hands dirty, be physically fit, and have a passion for conservation.
Other projects available: Women Empowerment, Small Business Development and Microfinance.
Contact us for more information
Internship programme: Health, Media, Computing, Education…
The internship programme is for a period of 6 weeks to 12 months Placement areas includes Education (Teach abroad), Health (Trained doctors and nurses), finance and banking, media, journalism, computing, wildlife, environment and many more.
Programme details
Arrival & Orientation
Upon your arrival (on Sunday) a local representative will be waiting for you at the airport and will transfer you to a hostel where you will stay with other international volunteers during the orientation. Programmes longer than 4 weeks begins with a two to four day arrival orientation starting on the Monday. The orientation will introduce you to the Ghanaian culture and will cover various issues such as living with a host family, safety, workplace issues, visa, money issues, health, transportation, food. You will also participate in language classes. The orientation includes a city tour as well as drumming, dancing and cooking sessions. At the of your orientation, you will be transferred to your host community and the volunteer work will start on the following Monday. Programmes of 4 weeks or less have a shorter, 2 days orientation.
Accommodation
After the orientation, you’ll be placed with an approved host family, a short distance from your project. Your host will welcome you into their family and help you to settle into the local area. You might be living with another volunteer. Houses can be very basic and may not have running water or a constant source of electricity. Enjoying home-cooked food, sharing stories and life experiences and learning the local language will give you a unique and memorable experience.
Optional Workshops
Before your volunteer placement you will have the opportunity to participate in exiting one or two weeks cultural workshops. You can choose a combination of activities between drumming and dancing workshops, Twi classes (local language), and craft workshop (bead making with recycled materials). Contact us for more information.
Arrival Dates
Participant should arrive in Accra on a Sunday.
Visas
Participants must arrange a tourist visa before travelling to Ghana. Please contact us for more information.
The EIL Development Education Network
Our volunteers work and live alongside local people in local communities in some of the most deprived areas in the world. It is in response to their experiences that the EIL development education programme was set up. On their return to Ireland we ask our volunteers to be the voice for the stories of the people they worked with and to highlight their experience of poverty and inequality. Then together we campaign to make a difference by promoting global justice, human rights, fair trade, debt relief and greater equality and respect among the peoples of the world. Our goal is to see global justice and equality reach the top of the Irish agenda.
The Application Process
Applying for the Volunteer Abroad programme is a straight forward process: after receiving your application and CV we will contact you to find out more about your interests and motivation for wanting to be a volunteer. We then send your information to our colleagues in the country of your choice and they make your placement. As soon as they confirm a suitable placement for you, we will send you all the information necessary to finalise your preparations. Although some countries can accept late applications, you should send your completed application 12 weeks in advance. The earlier you apply, the more time we have to find the most suitable project for you.
What you need to do:
- Complete the application form ( Word / PDF ) and send it to us together with 2 recent passport photos,€350 deposit, and recent CV.
- Do a telephone interview (or in person if you live in Cork and/or want to call in).
- A confirmation letter of enrolment will then be sent within 10 working days.
If you prefer we can send you the application form by post.
For more information about applying to volunteer with EIL please see How do I apply? or contact Anton.
Cost & Details
We guarantee no hidden costs.
We encourage you to compare our costs with other organisations and a careful comparison of what is included and what is not included is always advisable.
What is included
- Pre-departure information and preparation workshop
- Airport pick-up
- Comprehensive cultural orientation including a city tour, dance and drumming workshops
- Transportation to the host community
- Accommodation with a host family
- All meals
- Placement in a local project
- 24/7 assistance
- Free access to online TEFL resources
- Debrief workshop on return to Ireland
- Invitation to join the EIL Development Education Network
What is not included
- Cost of flights
- Medical, liability and travel insurance (available for €10 per week)
- Personal expenses
- Transportation during volunteer work
Costs: NEW REDUCED PRICES FOR 2012!
2 weeks: € 899
3 weeks: € 949
4 weeks: € 1069
6 weeks: € 1279
8 weeks: € 1399
10 weeks: € 1499
12 weeks: € 1599
16 weeks: € 1899
20 weeks: € 2099
24 weeks: € 2349
Medical, liability and travel insurance available for €10 per week.
Prices are reviewed annually and may be updated in the first week of November.
Visit our WHY PAY? and FUNDRAISING pages.
Protect the environment: EIL Carbon offset system
Compensate for the CO2 that your flight will generate by helping to plant trees in Guatemala.
Photos & Videos
Currently there are no videos for this section. We're actively creating our own and adding ones contributed by people who have taken part in our programmes, so check back soon!
Stories from the field
Country info
Ghana in 1957 became the first sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence.
A well-administered country by regional standards, Ghana is often seen as a model for political and economic reform in Africa. Cocoa exports are an essential part of the economy; Ghana is the world's second-largest producer.
The discovery of major offshore oil reserves was announced in June 2007, encouraging expectations of a major economic boost. However, oil is not expected to flow for some years.
The official language is English while over 100 native languages are spoken. The local currency is the cedi.
Ghana at a glance
- Location: Ghana lies south of Burkina Faso, between Togo to the east and Côte d'Ivoire to the west, on the Gulf of Guinea.
- Capital city: Accra with a population of 2 million
- Population: 19.7 million
- People: Akan, Mole-Dagbane, Ewé, Ga, Guan, Gurma, Gonja, Dagomba
- Language: English (official), Ewé, Ga, Twi
- Religion: Christian, Muslim, traditional African religions
- Currency: Cedi (C)
- Coins are in the values of 100, 200 and 500; Notes are printed in value of 1,000, 2000 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000
- Government: Parliamentary democracy
- Political situation: Stable
- Climate: Average temperatures vary between 21°C and 32°C (84°F). There are three rainfall zones. Along the coast (including Accra), the rainy season lasts from April until June with a short spell in September and October. In the interior forests, the rains are heavier and last longer. In the north, the weather becomes drier, with only one rainy season, which lasts from April to June.
- Time: same as GMT/UTC
- Electricity: 220V/240V, 50Hz
- Weights & measures: Metric
- Public Holidays: 25th/12 (Christmas Day); 26th/12 (Boxing Day); 01st/01 (New
- Year Day); 22nd /02 (Eidul Adha); 6th /03 (Independence Day); 29th /03 (Good Friday); 1st /04 (Easter Monday); 1st / 05 (May Day); 5th /12 (Farmers’ Day)
Ghanaian Tradition
The two centuries of unadulterated tradition coupled with the diversity of the distinct ethnic groups have created a rich culture that is the splendid legacy of new Ghana. To the people of Ghana, the traditions of their ancestors are still an important part of daily life. Customary leaders have historical authority over tribal and family matters, and customary lands are an important hereditary. Rites and rituals mark important events in life. Child naming, puberty initiation, marriage and death are marked by family ceremonies, while seasonal festivals bring people or a clan together in a spectacular fashion. Festivals also recall past events, and consecrate a new season with confidence and hope. The common features of Ghanaian religions are the belief in the Supreme Being and nearness of dead ancestors.
Areas of interest in Ghana
Accra
A savoury blending of big-city bustle and African ease: Makola & Kaneshie Markets; James Town; Independence Square; Cultural Centre; Du Bois Centre; Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum; National Museum. and the Academy of African Music and Arts The National Museum , and the beaches provide a cultural insight and restful weekends for visitors.
Also Aburi botanical garden with exotic plants from around the world; and the Academy of African Music and Arts which is about 30minutes drive from Accra to the north is an attractive place to the numerous visitors to Ghana.
Cape Coast
Cape Coast Castle: A relic of colonial times and a sobering reminder of slave trade. The museum inside, depicting the conditions that the slaves suffered, must be seen.
Kakum national Park: this is an interesting canopy Walkway with a 7 rope bridges going from tree top to tree top. The view when on the rope is fantastic, if you are brave enough to open your eyes.
Coconut Groove Beach: Near Elmina. One of the best beaches and restaurants in Ghana.
Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Region.
Bobiri Forest and Butterfly Santuary: you have the opportunity to seeing masses of beautiful butterlies and different kinds of insects.
Lake Bosumtwe: one of the natural lakes in Ghana.It is possible to cruise on the lake.
Bonwire: This is a village with so many kente weavers who spend all day weaving the the local rich kente cloth.It is possible for volunteers and students alike to learn how to weave kente for a small fee.
Buabeng Fiema Monkey Santuary: Visit the twin villages in the Brong–Ahafo region of Ghana which is popularly known as Buabeng and Fiema where monkeys live happily and safely with Human beings. These monkeys are believed to be sacred.
Northern Region/Upper East/Upper West
Larabanga Mosque: The oldest mosque in West Africa with unique architecture, mysteries, where the oldest Quarn in Ghana and Mystic stone.
Mole National Park: you have the opportunity of getting a guided tour and also to see different animals. Example Hippo and elephant.
Paga Crocodile Pond: There is a sacred pond in Paga full of friendly crocodiles.Tourists sometimes sit on their backs. The crocodiles have a bond with the people of Paga, so the citizens will not hurt them and they intend do not hurt anyone.
Eastern region
Aburi Botanical Gardens: It is a garden full of rare species of trees. It is a very good place to have a guided tour and know the names of trees and what they are used for.It is also a good place to relax. There is a craft market.
Boti Falls: It`s a beautiful waterfall close to the regional capital of the Eastern Region.
Shai Hills Reserve: This is a forest reserve full of baboons.
FAQ
Questions
Is it safe?
Who volunteers?
Can I go with a friend or family member and can we be placed in the same project?
Is the deposit refundable?
Can I combine more than one country?
How long can I go for?
When can I go?
How much does it cost?
What’s the difference between EIL’s volunteer abroad programme and others?
Why aren’t volunteers paid/given expenses?
Why do volunteers have to pay for their programme?
I would like to participate in the programme but I didn’t realise how much it would be or simply can’t afford it.
How do I apply?
When should I apply?
Can I come in to discuss options?
What visa do I need?
What vaccinations should I get?
What are the age limits?
Do I need any special skills/qualifications?
Can I work on a specific project?
I already have a good language skills – can I drop/reduce the language course?
What is the accommodation like?
Will there be other volunteers going at the same time as me?
What does the optional insurance cover?
Can I apply from northern Ireland/UK/outside Ireland?
Answers
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Is it safe?
We only place volunteers in locations where it is safe to do so. Traveling to a developing country can be challenging, but most people travel without encountering trouble.
Volunteers are briefed on safety issues during the predeparture workshop, during the orientation in-country, by the host family.
We have an emergency system in place with 24h emergency phones (in Ireland and overseas). It is advised to check government travel advice for your destination. Check the websites of the Irish Dept. of Foreign Affairs and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Also read the safety information that we send you and of course exercise caution in any country.
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Who volunteers?
EIL volunteers come from a range of different backgrounds. Our volunteers are:
- Students and young people willing to volunteer abroad during their holidays, between jobs or on a year out.
- Office workers, teachers, farmers, nurses, engineers, factory workers, waiters and just about anybody wishing to help, take some time out or just looking for a different experience during their holidays.
- Retired people who want to put their time and skills to good use.
- Apprentices and students who need to complete an internship or work experience.
- Youth clubs, family groups, clubs, school groups or groups of friends.
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Can I go with a friend or family member and can we be placed in the same project?
It is possible to apply with one or several friends, family members or a partner and to be placed in the same accommodation and project.
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Is the deposit refundable?
The vast majority of the applicants are accepted in the programme but if your application is not successful, we will refund your deposit. Otherwise, the deposit is not refundable.
Can I combine more than one country?
It depends on the combination of countries. As we are dealing with two different programmes you will have two different programme fees. We may be able to look at a reduction of our administration fees but this is a small part of the fee. In the case of Latin American countries you may be able to do the language course in one of the countries thus reducing the fees in the other country. This will depend on our office in country and we need to make arrangements with them to do this.
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How long can I go for?
Programme lengths vary from minimum 2 weeks to 11 months, depending on which country you choose. 2/3 weeks programmes are available in Guatemala, Thailand and Vietnam. Though if you choose to go for such a short period it is important to have realistic expectation as regard as what you can achieve.
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When can I go?
You can join most of our programmes any time of year. Many of them have flexible start dates. We have set start dates in South Africa, Nepal, Nigeria, India, Morocco but they have at least one every month. If you are looking for a teaching placement we need to check the term times in that country.
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Will there be other volunteers going at the same time as me?
If this is a priority for you to be placed with other volunteers we will indicate you the programmes where you are very likely to be with other volunteers. If there are volunteers going to the same destination at the same time we will put you in touch via e-mail so you can become acquainted. There may well be other international volunteers from other countries working with you. However, be prepared that you may be the only international volunteer there. This is a greater opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and get to know local people if you are not relying on other volunteers. Be prepared that you may feel isolated or lonely sometimes. Accommodation in volunteer house and volunteer camps (with other international volunteers) are available in Thailand, Vietnam and India.
How much does it cost?
The programme fee varies depending on which country you choose and the length of programme. All the programme fees and what is included are on our website and in our country specific information sheets. To give an idea, programme fees start at €785. If the full length of language course isn’t needed, we maybe able reduce the programme fee. Our fees do not include flights, visas, vaccinations, medical and travel insurance, and personal expenses.
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What’s the difference between EIL’s volunteer abroad programme and others?
- EIL is an established Irish not for profit intercultural learning organistion
- We work with sister organisations who are members of the EIL worldwide network.
- We will thoroughly analyse your profile, needs and expectation and match it with the most suitable volunteer programme
- Our programme are flexible: placements are available in 15 couintries, from 2 weeks to 11 months with start dates year-round and a wide range of project is available
- Volunteers are placed in local projects supporting local initiatives
- We offer an authentic cultural experience including a full cultural orientation and most programmes include stay with host family.
- Safety is the first priority: our volunteers have 24-hour support in country from our National office, the local co-coordinator as well as mentors on the project.
- Our programmes fees are very competitive and cover accommodation, meals, transfers, support - with some exceptions.
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Why aren’t volunteers paid/given expenses?
We place volunteers in local partner organisations in developing countries. These organisations need volunteers because they can't afford enough paid staff and are not in the position to offer expenses/pay volunteers. EIL and the partner organisations we work with are not for profit making organisations and depend on the support of volunteers. Please see Why pay? for more information.
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Why do volunteers have to pay for their programme?
EIL and our in-country partner organisations are non-profit making organisations. The programme fee covers the cost of placing a volunteer in the project, to provide accommodation, meals, transfer and transport, pre-departure & in-country support and insurance. The projects volunteers are sent to in developing countries cannot afford to cover these costs themselves. Please see Why pay? for more information. Many volunteers cover some of the costs by raising funds. Fundraising support is available and we will send you a fundraising pack.
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I would like to participate in the programme but I didn’t realise how much it would be or simply can’t afford it.
We recognise that some of our participants are students and affording the programme fee is an issue. Many volunteers cover some of the costs by raising funds. Fundraising information and advice is available. We also have a number of travel awards and scholarships available every year. Keep an eye on our website for these awards.
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How do I apply?
Applying for the Volunteer Abroad programme is a straight forward process: after receiving your application and CV we will contact you to find out more about your interests and motivation for wanting to be a volunteer. We then send your information to our colleagues in the country of your choice and they make your placement. As soon as they confirm a suitable placement for you, we will send you all the information necessary to finalise your preparations. Although we are usually able to accept late applications, you should try to return this form not less than 8 weeks prior to your intended date of departure. The earlier you apply, the more time we have to find the most suitable project for you.
What you need to do:
- Complete the application form ( Word / PDF ) and send it to us together with 2 recent passport photos, €350 deposit, and recent CV.
- Do a telephone interview (or in person if you live in Cork and/or want to call in).
- A confirmation letter of enrolment will then be sent within 10 working days.
If you prefer we can send you the application form by post.
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When should I apply?
Although we are usually able to accept late applications, you should try to return this form not less than 8 weeks prior to your intended date of departure. The earlier you apply, the more time we have to find the most suitable project for you, and you will also need time to sort out your flights, visas and vaccinations.
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Can I come in to discuss options?
You can discuss options over the phone or if you live locally you are welcome to come in. Before you take the trouble to visit us at our offices, we recommend thinking about where you would like to go, what placement you are interested in, when you want to go, how long you want to go for and why you want to volunteer. Call to make appointment.
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What visa do I need?
The type of visa will depend on where you are going and for how long. Visa information is available on our website and on the info sheets we can post you. However you are responsible for your visa and you should contact the Irish Embassy or Consulate for the destination country in good time prior to departure for the requirements and application procedures.
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What vaccinations should I get?
For legal reasons we cannot give advice on this. Please contact your doctor or the Tropical Medical Bureau.
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What are the age limits?
You have to be over 18 for most programmes. If you are on the younger than 18 please contact us to discuss the options. There is no upper limit.
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Do I need any special skills/qualifications?
No. We are looking for people who are independent minded travelers. Living in a developing country demands flexibility, initiative, maturity and drive. Of course if you have particular skills and experience that you would like to use then we will take this into consideration when finding a suitable placement. Please see Is this for me?
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Can I work on a specific project?
You can indicate the type of project that you would like to work on and if you have a particular example in mind from our website then you can indicate it. This is not guaranteed. Our partner organisations will suggest a placement for you. They are well placed to match your skills and interests to the right placements.
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I already have a good language skills – can I drop/reduce the language course?
Sometimes this is possible – we would have to know what level you are at and check this with the national office in-country first.
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What is the accommodation like?
It will depend on the country and project, either with a host family, in a volunteer house / camp or with an independent room at the project site. It may be basic compared to the standards you are used to here. We will provide details of the family or accommodation you will be staying in before you leave.
What does the optional insurance cover?
Basic travel, medical and liability and baggage insurance. Information on what it covers is available in the insurance booklet we will send to you. We can also check with our insurance company if you have specific queries.
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Can I apply from northern Ireland/UK/outside Ireland?
- Northern Ireland: we can take applications.
- UK: We will pass your details onto EIL UK and ask them to get in touch.
- Other: Please visit Federation EIL to find the nearest EIL office to you.