Cultural Orientation in Ghana

If you would like to get settled before your program and understand the culture a bit more, this is a great way to learn more about local ways of life. Plus you will get to explore some local sights and take part in fun activities, without having to organise it all yourself!

• Accommodation
• 3 meals p/day weekdays / 2 meals p/day weekends
• Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
• Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
• 1 day orientation
• In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
• Fundraising support
• University course credits (where applicable)
• Certificate of Completion

• Airfares
• Travel Insurance
• Daily transportation to/from project site (approx $3-4 p/day)
• Tours, Souvenirs & spending money

Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.

A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Kotaka International Airport (ACC). You must arrive between the hours 06:00 – 24:00 on Saturday or Sunday. If arriving during the pickup times on the Saturday, we charge an additional fee for the extra night’s accommodation.

If arriving outside the pickup times, we charge an additional fee for any extra night’s accommodation and for a private transfer.

Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).

From the airport to the Accra accommodation it takes 30 minutes by car.  

Monday

• After breakfast we’ll dive into essential information, covering house rules, setting expectations, health and safety advice, and a comprehensive walkthrough of crucial documents like the Code of Conduct, Child Protection Policy, Media Consent, and more.
• Ghanaian Insights: Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Ghanaian history, culture dos and don’ts, and even pick up some basic Ghanaian language skills.
• After Lunch, we’ll embark on an exhilarating drive into Accra to explore iconic landmarks such as the awe-inspiring Independence Square and the monumental Independence Arch.
• Once we return to the accommodation, we’ll ensure you’re well-acquainted with the surroundings, guiding you to key spots like supermarkets, ATMs, and currency exchange centers. Plus, we’ll assist in setting you up with a local SIM card for seamless communication during your stay.

Tuesday

• As the sun greets the day, we embark on an artistic journey to a renowned seaside art gallery showcasing the brilliance of Ghanaian artists and their captivating historic masterpieces.
• Post a delightful lunch; we immerse ourselves in the vibrant strokes of Ghanaian painting during a seaside lesson guided by a talented local artist.
• As dusk paints the sky, our evening adventure unfolds at the pulsating heart of creativity—the Center for National Culture, where the spirit of Ghana’s cultural heritage comes to life.

Wednesday

• As the morning sun greets us, we delve into the enchanting realms of Twi & Ga, immersing ourselves in the rhythm of local languages. Building upon our orientation day’s teachings, today’s language session promises an immersive and intense exploration.
• Following this linguistic journey, we venture into the heart of Ghanaian culinary heritage. With careful attention and guided expertise, we unlock the secrets of Ghanaian cuisine, savoring the anticipation of relishing our delectable creations for today’s midday feast.
• Post-lunch, our artistic spirits soar as we indulge in the vibrant art of Tie and Dye. Embracing the rich hues and techniques, we unleash our creativity before embarking on an inspiring visit to the Accra Museum, where history whispers through the exhibits, painting a vivid portrait of Ghana’s past as the evening shadows begin to dance.

Thursday

• As the morning sun graces us, we wander into the bustling Macola Market, immersing ourselves in the vibrant tapestry of local life & culture. Amidst the stalls laden with aromatic spices and vividly woven fabrics, we embrace the heartbeat of this lively marketplace.
• After a fulfilling lunch, our rhythm-hungry souls find solace in a basic traditional drumming workshop. Here, we delve into the primal beats, learning the basics from skilled hands and connecting with the pulsating core of Ghanaian musical heritage
  

Friday

• As the morning sun graces us with its warmth, we immerse ourselves in the rhythms of tradition through a lively drumming and dance workshop.
• Post the midday feast, our journey into heritage continues as we venture into a session of traditional woodcarving, where craftsmanship meets storytelling in every chisel stroke.
• With the day drawing to a close, let’s wander back to the Center for National Culture, where the vibrant pulse of souvenirs beckons, promising mementos infused with the essence of our enriching day.

There are plenty of things to do on your days off- here are just a few!

Cape Coast

Cape Coast in Ghana has a colonial history, being the site at which many slaves were shipped over to the America’s. Michelle Obama is believed to have roots traced back here and herself and Barak Obama unveiled a plaque in their visit in 2009. Cape Cost is a fishing town, with a fort to look around and with an artsy vibe in the town centre. Many travellers use this location as a base to travel on to Kakum National Park.

Kakum National Park

Kakum National Park is a coastal rainforest covering an area of 357 kilometres. There are 40 species of monkey, 200 bird species and over 500 species of butterflies. The park is one of the most visited attractions in Ghana, with spectacular scenery and canopy walk for visitors.

Lake Volta

Lake Volta is a picturesque man-made lake, just North from Accra. The building of the Akosombo Dam resulted in lake Volta being formed. You can take a boat tour across the lake or even try kayaking over it.

Elmina Castle

Elmina Castle is situated in the Cape Coast region of Ghana and it has a dark past. During the height of the slave trade around 30,00 slaves were held here, before being shipped off and out of Ghana. Slaves were kept captive and tortured at Elmina Castle, which was built by the Portuguese. You can visit here with a guided tour, that will give you a better understanding of Ghana’s past history.

Manhyia Palace

Built by the British in 1925, Manhyia Palace was made to welcome back the ruler of the Asante state, after many years of banishment from the country. Rooms are still set up as they would have looked at the time, and you can book guided tours and watch a video presentation, explaining the palaces history. The small museum holds displays showing old royal objects, clothing, furniture and photographs.

Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park

This is the site of the grave of Ghana’s first President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Situated in the downtown area of Accra, this impressive sculpture is made entirely from Italian marble. Inside, you can see items and photos from the president and information about his life story. The monument is surrounded by water and looks particularly picturesque at sunset.  

National Museum of Ghana

The National Museum has been open since 1957 and has three main display areas; art, archaeology and ethnography. The museum is located in Accra and has some interesting exhibits displaying Ghanaian culture and history.

Accra Mall

This is where you can go for all your shopping and clothing needs. Accra mall is a large shopping centre that has clothes shops, a supermarket, restaurants and a cinema.

Bojo Beach

A great day trip from the city is Bojo beach, a large scenic beach, just 5 kilometres from Accra. Getting to the beach requires hopping on to a small boat over a small patch of water. Once here, you can relax and dine at one of the beach cafes. You can also try water sports such as jet skiing!

Aburi Botanical Gardens

Set amongst 160 acres, the beautiful Aburi Botanical Gardens are defiantly worth a visit, particularly for nature lovers. Situated around a 45 minute drive out of Accra, the gardens have a cooler climate and provide a peaceful escape from the city.

Additional Requirements

Anyone travelling to Ghana MUST have a yellow fever vaccination and must obtain a certificate as proof. You may be asked to produce this certificate at the point of entry into Ghana and can be refused entry if you don’t have one. There may be other vaccine recommendations listed that you may want/need to get before starting, so please ask your doctor before travel.

You will need to provide a valid CRB check before starting this project.

Additional Equipment

No specific equipment required for this program. 

Ghana is a multicultural country, situated in West Africa, south of the Sahara Desert. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean in the South and 3 other countries; Togo, Burkina Faso and the Ivory Coast. Ghana’s President runs as both the head of state and head of government. The economy here is now one of the strongest in Africa, utilizing a democratic political system, which has made Ghana a powerful country on the West side of Africa.

Ghana is known for its century old and lively culture, making it an exciting place to visit. Its diverse climate and ecosystem vary from coastal savannahs to tropical jungles. Once nicknamed as the gold coast, Ghana is the second largest producer of gold in Africa and today is also the second largest maker of coffee beans in the world.

Ghana is situated just a few degrees north of the Equator, making it a warm climate, but which is still relatively mild for its location There are two main seasons, however it’s generally hot and humid year-round. Rains usually last for a short time but can occasionally rain throughout the day. Temperatures on average are around 22-30°C.

Ghana has more than 100 ethnic groups living in the county. The largest are the Akan (45%), then Moshi-Dagbani (17%) and Ewe (14%). The Ashanti tribe of Akan are the largest tribe and one of the few groups in West Africa where ancestry is traced through the mother and maternal ancestors. The Ashanti tribe are known for their handicrafts, ceramics, weaving and wood carvings.

In Ghana, the family bond is very strong, with respect for elders being most important. The entire family will share in the joys, success, loss and honour of the family unit, making a collective culture. The oldest member of the family is the most respected and will be treated with honour, as well as those who have a position in the community, wealth or other status.

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