Love Volunteers has teamed up with a local NGO partner in Ghana to offer placements in this fascinating country. Opportunities exist in Accra, Volta, Kumasi and Ashanti. To volunteer in Ghana, you do not need to have any specific skills or qualifications and people of any nationality are welcome.

Deciding to volunteer in Africa means you are likely to be stepping into the unknown. It will be both a challenging and a rewarding experience, one to look back on with a mixture of emotions, but certainly with a new depth of understanding of the human condition.

Often, volunteering in Ghana is the choice of the gap-year student, but it can equally serve as a grounding experience and a break from the norm for anyone, from new graduates to career-breakers, retired and semi-retired individuals, organised groups from churches and other associations, as well as professionals granted a leave of absence to gain experience. What each person gains is the unique opportunity to live among the local Ghanaian people and to experience their culture directly.

Situated in the west of Africa, the small country of Ghana was formerly known as the Gold Coast. There is evidence of human settlement going back to 1500 BC. Basking in the delightfully warm climate afforded by its location in the Gulf of Guinea, Ghana is home to around 24 million people who speak up to 47 different ethnic languages, as well as, in the majority of cases, English. A cocoa-producer, Ghana has not suffered the conflicts of many other African countries and is reasonably well developed. Nevertheless, much of its population is disadvantaged and badly in need of the help that volunteers in Ghana can give.

Ghana is a colourful and interesting country with many diverse ethnic groups. It has a background in cultural dance and sport, as well as producing eye-boggling textiles. Volunteers in Ghana contribute hugely to the lives of many marginal groups held back by poverty and deprivation. Placements are available in orphanages, schools, hospitals and community health clinics. Check out Lonely Planet's West Africa Guide for more information about Ghana.

Start and Duration

A flexible approach means that it is possible to start any day of the year. A minimum stay of two weeks is recommended, as volunteering in Ghana for less time will still incur the minimum two weeks program fees.

Volunteer Requirements

Volunteers in Ghana should be at least 18 years old and speak English to at least intermediate level. Younger volunteers may be accepted if accompanied by an adult. The most important thing is to have an adventurous and generous spirit. Apply Now!

Project Descriptions for Ghana

Program Costs

Love Volunteers is a not-for-profit organisation and is one of the most affordable ways to help out in a developing country while being immersed in the local culture.

Fees for volunteer programs in Ghana start at US$400 (€302) for two weeks, which includes accommodation, food, an airport pick-up, orientation and 24/7 in-country support.

Other volunteers periods available. Please, contact LoveVolunteers for pricing of other periods.

A Love Volunteers registration fee of US$235 (approximately €170) is charged in addition to the program fees and covers any placements you undertake for twelve months from the start of your first placement. The fee is refundable if you choose not to volunteer more than three months prior to the start of your initial placement. This fee ensures 24/7 pre- and post-placement support from Love Volunteers, checking and vetting of local organisations, a comprehensive information pack, as well as administration and marketing costs. Given Love Volunteers is a not-for-profit organisation we also ask volunteers to cover any bank charges incurred by international money transfers.

Food and Accommodation

The volunteers in Ghana are fortunate as they have the opportunity to live with a local family within close proximity of the volunteer project location. Getting to experience cultural immersion within a Ghanaian family makes one’s stay in Ghana uniquely memorable. The family will be on hand to help you and also show you around the local area.

The host family provide breakfast and dinner (or all three meals if you are at your accommodation during weekends). At lunch breaks on working days, you can sample local cuisine at modestly priced cafes and restaurants.

The cuisine is flavoursome; if simple. The best known Ghanaian staple is fufu, which consists of a basic starchy ingredient such as cassava, yam, plantain or rice. You may also be served different types of stew, be it fish, chicken or vegetable. Fried plantain is another popular local dish.

Orientation

All newly arrived volunteers receive a full orientation to prepare them for their stay in Ghana, including an introduction to their host family and help with familiarisation within the local community.

A Typical Week

The structure of the week varies for different projects, but we aim to be flexible. Provided some notice is given, we will try to accommodate your plans. That said a typical week in Ghana for volunteers may look something like this:

Weekdays:Between 7am and 8.30am you can expect to have breakfast with your host family. At 8-8.30am you will head to your placement, depending on how far you have to travel. Expect to arrive at work at 9am, where you’ll meet with the local staff and plan your day. You will have a tea and lunch break during the day, the length of which will depend on the particular program. Most work finishes between 2pm and 5pm. At this point you a free to explore the local area, play with the kids (if you’re at a teaching or childcare assignment) or hang out with other volunteers. In the evening, you can have dinner with your host family or visit a local restaurant with friends.

Weekends:The weekends allow you an opportunity to visit local attractions or perhaps take a trip out of the city to some of Ghana's beaches, the Digya National Park or the famous Lake Volta (the world's largest lake by surface area).

About the Country

Ghana is a relatively flat country with some gentle uplands and a tropical coastline. Be prepared for hot temperatures and a life lived primarily outdoors if you volunteer here. The capital Accra is chaotic, bustling and buzzing. The huge Volta Basin in the centre of the country, with its lakes and tropical forest, is a must-see site. A visit to the north should include Mole National Park, where the country’s large animals can be observed. Here, there are numerous community projects introducing visitors to the seldom-seen rural lifestyle and wildlife. Several other community projects offer off-the-beaten-track experiences for volunteers. In this remote location, the local inhabitants live in traditional round huts. The town of Kumansi, with a vast, busy market at its heart, is well known for traditional crafts and is where the Ashanti people live.

Apply now! Or check out the FAQ or contact page for more information.