Want to volunteer in Africa? Then Ghana should be at the top of your list! There are so many ways to make a difference and explore one of Africa’s most peaceful, beautiful countries. From teaching to human rights to healthcare and everything in between, you’re bound to find an amazing opportunity to travel and do good.
Ghana is one of Africa’s safest, most peaceful countries – and an excellent place to volunteer abroad. When you visit Ghana, you’ll be exposed to 40 different languages in the country’s 16 regions, hundreds of animal species throughout Ghana’s national parks, and so much more. You can see firsthand how tribal governments work alongside the national government, catch a game of soccer (Ghana’s national sport), and make wonderful friends from all over the world.
While Ghana is an amazing place to visit on just a vacation, you can make your trip a well-rounded one by volunteering with one of many NGOs working within communities countrywide to make a positive change in cities, towns, and rural areas. Of the approximately 25.5 million citizens of Ghana, about 24.2% – or seven million – live below the poverty line and cannot afford basic necessities for themselves or their families. With poverty comes many diseases and a high infant and child mortality rate – currently 37.2 per 1,000 births (in the United States, the rate is 6.1 per 1,000). Quality education and health care can make a great difference, and you can be part of it.
Through volunteering with projects focusing on medical and health care, education, and basic child care, you can help to give Ghanaians a brighter future. By teaching children and teens, you can provide the necessary resources for a successful future, which will help end poverty from family to family and community-wide.
The joy and aid you can bring to those in need will make the trip worthwhile, but you’ll also gain a very meaningful experience while volunteering abroad. Through these activities, you are not just teaching, but you’re also learning. You will learn all about Ghanaian culture through song, dance, workshops, and local leadership. By immersing yourself in a new culture, you’ll gain life experience that you can take back to your home community. And you won’t just reap personal benefits: volunteering and interning abroad is a wonderful resume booster that will help you succeed in your own life as you help others succeed in theirs. You will come home with a lifetime of memories, new relationships, new skills, and a drive to do more.
If you’re ready to dive into a new experience, then keep reading to find out more information about a few excellent organizations and the projects you can take on as a volunteer in Ghana.
Grab your hiking boots and get ready to travel!
Great Volunteer Programs In Ghana
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International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ)
Since 2007, International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) has placed more than 63,000 volunteers on projects worldwide and is one of the most affordable volunteer organizations you can sign up with. Housing in Ghana is provided at a basic volunteer house close to your placement, and you’re invited to explore the community and take side trips during your free time while you’re volunteering abroad.
Rural Construction and Renovation Project
International Volunteer HQ’s wide variety of projects available right now in Ghana includes a rural construction and renovation program, where you’ll help improve infrastructure throughout small communities, focusing on children’s homes, clinics, community centers, toilet facilities, and schools. Some of your tasks will include painting, bricklaying, plastering, digging, block shaping, carpentry, steel bending, mortar mixing, and much more. During your stay, you also may have the chance to meet chiefs and community elders who will teach you about the different cultures within their communities. You should enjoy the outdoors and have a good level of physical fitness to truly enjoy this placement.
Agriculture Project
Another outdoorsy program you may want to sign up for with IVHQ is their agriculture project in Ghana, which focuses on providing sustainable food for local children. As a volunteer, you’ll help with both crop farming and animal farming, which includes:
- Clearing land for growing crops
- Assisting with fertilizing the land
- Planting and nurturing crops
- Teaching farming techniques to local staff
- Assisting with stock purchases and care
The produce you‘ll help to grow is donated to children’s homes with a goal of supplementing their healthy food intake. Throughout your program, you can expect to work for most of the day, though, during the hottest part of the afternoon, you’ll be able to supplement your activities by helping teachers in their classrooms. While you don’t need previous agricultural experience to sign up, a background in this area can be helpful for developing new projects and teaching farming techniques to local workers so they can more effectively and efficiently carry out their work. Similarly to IVHQ’s construction project in Ghana, this program is great for volunteers who have a good level of physical fitness, would like to work outside and don’t mind getting dirty.
To learn more about volunteering in Ghana with International Volunteer HQ, please click here.
What Volunteers Say: Review from Katelyn
The experience of volunteering in another country is an awe-inspiring and humbling one, and being able to feel that while having an amazing team to back you up is essential for having a positive experience. IVHQ was fantastic in providing everything I would need to prepare for my volunteering away, and partnered with a fantastic in-country company that allowed me to fully experience my volunteer placement and help with anything that I needed. The fees were a big bonus too, being a student and still wanting to travel and volunteer, they were reasonably priced, and worthwhile. Staying with a host family made my placement even more well rounded and have the ability to immerse myself into the culture and life even more. Overall I would recommend anyone and everyone (even recommended a friend before I even got here, who ended up going to India!) to volunteer with IVHQ and experience the world around them.
GoEco
Join GoEco’s volunteer program in Accra, Ghana, to support a local school and make a meaningful impact on children’s lives. Volunteers teach English, organize educational games, assist with school repairs, and engage in cultural exchanges. Program highlights include teaching English, organizing fun and educational activities, assisting with school renovations, and serving as a role model for young children. Volunteers will also participate in classroom activities and school repairs.
Volunteers stay in shared dorm-style rooms, enjoy three daily meals, and receive comprehensive support from the GoEco team. The minimum commitment is two weeks, and participants must have a yellow fever vaccination and police clearance. With GoEco’s 3rd Week Free Grant, enjoy the benefits of a third week free of charge when you sign up for two weeks or more.
Projects Abroad
As the longest-running organization on this list, Projects Abroad has provided volunteer programs and internships worldwide since 1992, with more than 10,000 travelers signing up every year. With opportunities such as medical care, conservation, human rights, teaching, and more available in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe, there’s no shortage of programs you can sign up for with Projects Abroad. Its dedicated in-country staff will provide you with 24/7 support if you need it.
Travel to Africa and volunteer in Ghana with Projects Abroad to contribute to the development of community initiatives in this beautiful West African country. You’ll work towards long-term goals and support local communities while experiencing life in Ghana.
Medical Internships in Ghana
Boost your resume with valuable global experience on a medical internship in Ghana. You’ll shadow local doctors during their ward rounds in a large regional hospital and gain a unique insight into the healthcare practices of a developing country. You’ll also get practical work experience doing basic health checks in rural communities where there is limited access to healthcare.
Volunteer with Children in Ghana
Support teachers and caregivers in a kindergarten, daycare center, or special needs school, and work with children when you volunteer in Ghana. Your work will help Projects Abroad achieve its goals of promoting literacy, numeracy, and hygiene practices among young Ghanaian children.
Still undecided? Here’s a sampling of Projects Abroad’s volunteer projects in Ghana:
- Assist with hands-on construction work
- Choose an internship in Dentistry, Midwifery, Nursing, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Public Health, or Speech Therapy
- Empower marginalized communities through human rights work
- Coach soccer to children
While there, you can visit historical museums, hike through rolling hills, or sample traditional Ghanaian cuisine. Click here to learn more about volunteering in Ghana.
What Volunteers Say: a review from Adrian, medicine in Ghana
My trip to Cape Coast, Ghana was an incredible experience that I will never forget. It allowed me to learn and experience so much and to experience a new way of life very different than that at home. I will never forget my great experiences at the hospital, day care center, Leprosy camp, outreach and traveling. I was able to really see the dramatic differences in the way of life and also experience and see things that you could not even dream about at home. I would highly recommend Ghana as a Projects Abroad destination.
Involvement Volunteers International (IVI)
Volunteer in Ghana with Involvement Volunteers International (IVI) and create unforgettable memories while making a difference. IVI offers diverse opportunities, including English teaching, sports coaching, medical clinic volunteering, physiotherapy internships, construction projects, and unique experiences in journalism and art & design. Volunteers can immerse themselves in the local culture while staying in well-equipped guest houses around Accra.
Projects are based in and around Accra, providing volunteers with numerous activities during their free time. IVI ensures safe and responsible projects with 24/7 in-country support, expert pre-departure advice, and all necessary materials. With over 30 years of experience, IVI offers affordable and impactful volunteer travel, enhancing your skills while helping others.
Journalism Internship
As an aspiring reporter or media professional, you can contribute through editing, copywriting, reporting, interviewing, and researching. You’ll work with local newspapers, radio stations, and TV networks, gaining hands-on experience while learning from Ghana’s leading journalists. Additionally, you’ll help local school children with their newsletters and inspire youths to pursue media careers. This program offers a unique cultural exchange and the chance to live like a local. Accommodation is in shared volunteer houses, and the minimum duration is four weeks. Participants must be at least 16 years old and provide a criminal background check.
English Teaching in Ghana
Join IVI’s English Teaching program in Accra, Ghana, and assist overworked local schools by becoming a teacher’s assistant. Volunteers will create engaging lesson plans, teach English, and improve students’ conversational skills. This role also involves introducing cultural awareness through unique objects from your home country and interactive activities like games, painting, and singing. Accommodation is in shared volunteer houses, and volunteers must be at least 16 years old and provide a criminal background check. This program is perfect for those with a passion for teaching and working with children, offering valuable experience and the opportunity to make a significant impact.
Volunteering Solutions (VolSol)
Volunteering Solutions (VolSol) offers top-rated, affordable volunteer programs in Ghana. Volunteers can work in the capital city, Accra, Tamale in Northern Ghana, and Axim along the southern coast. VolSol provides meaningful volunteering opportunities from 1 to 24 weeks, with airport pickup, meals, and accommodation included. Participants can engage in weekend tours to Mole National Park, Kintampo Falls, or Cape Coast. VolSol’s programs aim to empower local communities and provide enriching experiences for volunteers. Whether you are a gap year traveler, backpacker, or student on summer break, VolSol’s trusted programs, supported by thousands of past volunteers, offer impactful ways to contribute and experience Ghanaian culture.
Medical Internship in Ghana
Join a medical internship in Ghana and immerse yourself in the local culture while contributing to the well-being of the community. Interns will work at public healthcare centers where staff shortages are common, gaining firsthand experience in a developing country’s healthcare system. Responsibilities vary based on expertise, including shadowing professionals, assisting with daily tasks, and working in various departments like general medicine, emergency, pediatrics, and maternity. Interns must be 18 or older and provide relevant documentation before joining. Working 5 to 6 days a week with weekends off, interns can explore the country with fellow volunteers during free time.
Volunteer Girls Teaching Program in Ghana
Volunteer to empower young girls through education in Tamale, Northern Ghana. The program focuses on teaching English, Mathematics, Computers, and more, as well as renovating schools and fundraising for smooth operations. Volunteers need not be qualified teachers but should be flexible, open-minded, and passionate about working with children. Participants, aged 17 and older, will assist teachers, work with small groups, and possibly lead classes with full support. Volunteers live with a local host family, experiencing Ghanaian culture firsthand. The schedule includes orientation, project visits, and volunteer work from Monday to Friday, with weekends free for excursions to places like Mole National Park and Kintampo Falls.
What Volunteers Say: A review from Raffaele P
A great opportunity to help girls with very difficult access to education but also to experience and immerse yourself (in) a culture completely different from the (W)estern society. Surely not a vacation but an experience, the discomfort like the absence of running water is something that you have to accept, but the smile and gratitude of the locals for what you are doing there is the reward.
Global Vision International (GVI)
Volunteer in Ghana with Global Vision International (GVI) to support education, equality, and community development. Experience the coastal beauty of Kokrobite in GVI’s community hub, which offers a secure base for impactful volunteer work. Volunteers collaborate closely with local partners to engage in diverse projects, developing skills in cross-cultural communication and global competencies. Free time activities include exploring local markets and historical sites, and enjoying Ghanaian cuisine, making this a truly immersive and meaningful volunteer experience.
Public Health Education in Ghana
Volunteer with GVI in Ghana to support the physical and mental well-being of young women and girls. This program, located in Kokrobite, focuses on creating safe spaces for open discussions on health topics like puberty, menstruation, and mental health. Volunteers collaborate with local schools and partner organizations to lead training sessions, group activities, and discussions aimed at empowering women with knowledge and support. The project work involves addressing public health issues, debunking health myths, and promoting holistic self-care. Participants gain exposure to a different culture, working alongside a diverse team, while developing cross-cultural communication and facilitation skills.
Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Volunteering in Ghana
Join GVI’s JEDI program in Ghana to promote fairness and equality in education. Based in Kokrobite, volunteers work with local schools to assist educators in fostering inclusive classroom environments. The program focuses on increasing representation, inclusion, and diversity, ensuring every child has equal opportunities to thrive. Volunteers deliver training sessions, facilitate interactive discussions, and support innovative discipline techniques. This hands-on community development work contributes to UN SDGs for gender equality, reduced inequality, and peace and justice. Participants immerse themselves in the local culture, establish genuine connections with the community, and develop skills in community empowerment, cross-cultural communication, and social justice.
Are You Ready To Travel?
After reading about these amazing opportunities in Ghana, we hope you’re ready to choose the perfect fit for you and get packing!
As a volunteer in Ghana, you’ll have the experience of a lifetime helping children, playing sports, working in healthcare, or even starting a career in journalism as you immerse yourself in the country’s culture and learn so much about an amazing area of the world. You will experience dance, music, and religion in a whole new way while making a difference in the lives of many.
So – if you’re ready to start planning your travels, click here to sign up for an account on Volunteer Forever and begin fundraising for your trip to Ghana – and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!
Jordyn Hotchkiss · Guest Writer
Jordyn Hotchkiss is a Guest Volunteer Travel Writer for Volunteer Forever.