Our association does not organize volunteering services in Ghana, but here you will find a small collection of tips, tricks and useful information for your time in Ghana. In addition, I will introduce some organizations and programs that in our opinion are very recommendable.
We see volunteering in Ghana as an opportunity to get to know oneself better and to promote self-growth. More importantly however, the main reason for becoming a volunteer should remain the genuine attempt to offer help to people in need (or: who are worse off than one self). As such, without proper training or professional experience in the social field, one should really consider getting involved in such a voluntary service, because childcare or school education in Africa is no picnic.
Here you will find literature tips
Ghana travel guide for English speakers
For people who can read in English, I highly recommend The Bradt Travel Guide. It is updated on a yearly basis and especially the maps and information on restaurants as well as hostels are great!
Ghana travel guide for German speakers
For people who have difficulties reading in English, I can recommend you this German guide. Even though the maps are not always quite accurate, it is still a solid guide and provides vivid photographic material.
Tips for volunteering opportunities in Ghana
1. Health
The most common diseases are diarrheal diseases. Therefore, it is highly advisable to always carry adequate medicaments against it with you.
Malaria
As malaria prophylaxis I recommend Lariam. Also, I advise you to carry mosquito repellent in the form of sprays and a mosquito net to spend the nights under.
Vaccinations
Beside the common vaccines for yellow fever and Hepatitis A and B, I strongly advise you to consider vaccination against rabies. Ghana has a lot of stray dogs and monkeys, and being bitten is not an uncommon phenomenon. If this happens to you, you need the antidote within 24 hours of the bite. However, as there are many remote regions in Ghana, finding the antidote in can sometimes prove itself very difficult.
Other medical care
Be sure to always carry plasters, disinfectants and dressings for inflamed wounds. Scratched mosquito bites can infect themselves very quickly. In case you find yourself left without this first aid material, you should definitely jump into the first pharmacy you find. As a disinfectant I recommend you to buy the liquid ECL Methylan, which is very efficient.
Here is a photo of the medical care we use for our orphans:
2. Travelling
Wer reisen will, findet in den Reiseführern viele mögliche Reiseziele.
Empfehlen kann ich folgende:
I can recommend the following:
Kintampo-Waterfall
Easily accessible from Tamale by the TroTro. It is the perfect destination for a one-day trip. The itinerary and the TroTro bus connection can be found in the Bradt Travel Guide.
Mole National Park
This National Park is also located in the North of the country. From Tamale, as well as from Kumasi, it will only take you 3 hours to arrive. Besides MetroMass buses, there are also TroTros and taxis which can easily get you there. For people who value comfort, there is the option of booking a bungalow located directly inside the park. For those who prefer the somewhat more traditional lifestyle and basic accommodation, I recommend you the Salia Brothers Guesthouse. They offer cheap accommodation in muds. On site, you might also encounter volunteers, as the Salia Brothers have also founded an orphanage.
Cape Coast
Wonderful coastal town with a slave fortress offering interesting tours.
As an overnight stay the German-led Baobab hostel and restaurant offers a good option. With its moderate prices, shower and laundry facilities as well as delicious food options, it definitely makes up for a great stay. Everything you need is located nearby, such as supermarket, banks, large fortress and much more. The Baobab Hostel also supports charitable projects in Ghana, and by buying souvenir items at the affiliated shop some of this money will directly be donated to charity.