Involvement Volunteers International WHY we need you in Ghana
- Ghana has seen a steady increase of economic growth in recent years, however with this growth, inequality has become more apparent.
- Poverty is much higher in rural areas throughout the county (this can be 4 times higher).
- Around a third of the population lives on less than $1.25 a day.
- Healthcare is still poor, with many people, particually those in the North, having to travel long distances to reach a hospital.
HOW can you help?
- Medical care in Ghana is often severely limited in some communities, this program helps reach more people.
- Hospitals and clinics throughout Ghana can be very under resourced and are always in need of extra help.
- This can be a good cultural exchange opportunity through communicating with the locals and sharing knowledge.
- Provide an extra pair of hands to relieve the task load on local medical professionals.
WHAT you can do?
- Shadow local doctors, nurses and medical professionals on their daily rounds
- You do not need prior experience, just a willingness to help in anyway you can
- Interact with patients and learn more about the healthcare system in Ghana
- Depending on experience, you may get a chance for a more 'hands on' role within the hospital
Why Involvement Volunteers International?
- Non Profit Org & Charity with 35+ Years Experience
- Social Experiences - Sharing with International Volunteers
- University Approved for Clinical Experience Hours
- Approved for CPE Points (Continuing Education Points)
- Low Program Fees - From US$280
- Amazing In-Country Support & 24/7 Assistance
- Well Equipped Volunteer Guest House in Accra
- 1 Application Fee - Multiple Countries
PROJECT NAME: MEDICAL INTERNSHIP
LOCATION: ACCRA, GHANA
START DATES: WEEKLY (SAT/SUN ARRIVALS)
ACCOMMODATION: VOLUNTEER HOUSE (SHARED ROOMS)
MIN DURATION: 4 WEEKS
MIN AGE: 18+
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Criminal background check required
Overview
Medical care in developing countries is often urgently needed due to problems of limited knowledge, under funding, and over subscription. Hospitals and clinics throughout Ghana can be severely under resourced and are always in need of extra assistance. We have an excellent relationship with a number of hospitals and clinics in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, in which we can provide opportunities for improvements to the quality and delivery of local healthcare services.
Volunteers can expect to be situated in either a large clinic / hospital in Accra, or smaller rural clinics. There is also the option to participate in structured medical outreach campaigns and travel out to rural areas providing healthcare and medical services to those with almost no access to quality medicine. Services provided may include infection prevention & education, malaria testing, sexual and hygiene education etc. If you have a specialty, we can often tailor the work accordingly.
Specific medical experience is not required for this program, but is of great advantage. In the hospitals and clinics, the tasks will be mostly shadowing doctors and medical professional staff and supporting the medical staff in anyway you can, making their job easier. Most of your time is spent shadowing the local staff in their day-to-day work, learning how they manage and interact with patients. Depending on experience could be asked to take on a more hands-on role to the medical care being delivered, if you are capable of that role.
*Please be advised that you will be responsible for your daily transportation costs to and from your program. This could range from 2.50 to 4.40 USD each day.
Location
Ghana’s largest and capital city is Accra and has a population of over two million. Accra is situated on Ghana’s coast in the South of the country. Your accommodation is located in Teshie, a coastal and suburban town on the Eastern outskirts of Accra. It’s a fast-developing town and growing every day. There is a train station close in the town for convenience.
Project Tasks
- Create cultural exchange opportunities through communication with the locals
- Assist the local clinics and hospitals with extra hands, to support medical service care
- Develop your teamwork, knowledge and skills through hands on tasks
Food & Accommodation
Your accommodation in Ghana is situated at our volunteer centre in Accra. The accommodation is located within a gated community. Rooms are generally dorm rooms, with separate bedrooms for male and female. Volunteer projects are situated around 20 to 40 minutes away and you will be responsible for your own transportation costs to and from the project. Staff will be on site at the accommodation 7 days a week to assist with anything you need.
Your accommodation is close by any amenities you need, the closest shops are within a 15-20-minute walk. ATM machine is 15 minutes away by taxi. Restaurants and bars are a 20-minute taxi ride away.
Your meals will be Ghanaian dishes mixed with Western style food, served at your accommodation. Typical Ghanaian food include rice dishes, beans, fruits, vegetables, chicken, beef and fish. They are typically stews and soups.
*Accommodation may be in our local centre or in close proximity, depending on availability and time of year.
Specialty
Projects
- Art & Design Experience
- Journalism & Media Internship
- Medical Hospital Internship
- Physiotherapy Internship
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1 Week - $575
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2 Weeks - $760
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3 Weeks - $1050
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1 Month - $1590
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2 Months - $3060
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3 Months - $4390
-Min duration 4 weeks for Medical & Journalism placements
- Private rooms cost additional $250 p/week
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals
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Airport Pickup
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Local Transportation
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1 Day Orientation
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24/7 In-Country Support
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Project Materials & Equipment
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Pre-departure Expert Advice
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Preperation Tools & Checklists
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Certificate of Completion
- Application fee is one off per person (unlimited placements)
- Click Here to convert the below prices to your local currency
- Discounts may apply if travelling in a pair or group!
- All credit card /international fees included in below pricing! 🙂
FAQ
Although no experience is required, a background in medical care would be a great advantage. This project is for those who wish to help out in anyway they can, and to learn about the healthcare system at the same time. For anyone studying medicine or a related feild, this project would be a great opportunity to gain some first hand experience.
- 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 (approx US$3-4 p/day)
- Tours, Souvenirs & spending money
On the Monday of your first week, you will join our orientation day. This is a great opportunity to become familiarised with your surroundings, as well as facts about the local culture. Your project will continue as usual from Tuesday and throughout the week.
Schedule
- Introduction meeting, House rules, Setting Expectations, Health and Safety Advice and handling of documents.
- Ghanaian Do’s and Don’ts, Ghanaian Culture Lessons and Language Lessons.
- Tour around the local area
- Drive into Accra to visit the museum and craft market, Independence Square and Oxford street.
- Visit local shops and amenities.
- Lunch
- Meet some of our academy athletes at our training centre, be introduced to a local school and help with the after school programme or visit some of the children we support in the local community.
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
- Breakfast
- Introduction
- Lunch
- Introduction
- Dinner
Tuesday to Friday
- Breakfast
- Working at/with one of the clinics
- Lunch
- Working at/with one of the clinics
- Dinner
This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.
*Schedule possible to change due to the project and community needs at the time. Volunteer flexibility and adaptability is important to a positive volunteering experience.
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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IVI is an Australian charity & non profit organisation founded in 1989 and is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering successfully placing over 20,000 volunteers globally.
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