Volunteering in the field of medicine in Ghana
- Urban everyday life
- Many volunteers on site
- Day tour included
You will work in a state hospital, where you will support the specialist staff and gain fascinating insights into local healthcare. For medical Volunteering in Ghana appropriate qualification is necessary. If you don't have any previous experience, you have the option to Internship in the field of Medicine or Care to be completed.
What's the matter?
Although the government has been committed to expanding basic medical care in Ghana for years, this poses a challenge for a large part of the Ghanaian population. There are no modern treatment facilities in rural areas. The patients there either rely on traditional African medicine or travel very far to receive medical care.
Life expectancy in Ghana in 2016 was 61,5 years. Unfortunately, tuberculosis and malaria are still widespread (HDI 2016). For this reason, support from volunteers is very welcome! With the appropriate previous knowledge or a completed apprenticeship, you have the opportunity to support the specialist staff in hospitals as a volunteer. Without any prior knowledge, you can help employees as an intern.
You can work in various state institutions in different areas of human medicine. Your exact location is always worked out individually and cannot be clearly described in advance. You have the option to choose between a rural or urban assignment.
The state institutions have all the specialist areas that you know from Europe: from general medicine to specialized departments such as the emergency room, dentistry and eye clinic, to the children's ward and a maternity clinic. There are also malaria research centers, laboratories and vaccination departments. The hospitals are often overloaded and things get very hectic there.
Your tasks as a volunteer
Your task is to support and relieve the staff on site. It is important that you offer your help again and again and that you can soon assess for yourself where your support is needed. Your actual tasks on site depend very much on your previous technical knowledge. Depending on how your contact persons or doctors assess you, you will be given more or less responsibility.
If you still have little practical experience in the medical field, for example as a medical student, you will support the staff in admitting patients, measure their blood pressure, heart sounds, etc. You will assist in documenting the data. Among other things, you will gain valuable insights into nursing.
If you already have a certain routine in hospital procedures, you can gain initial experience in a doctor's consulting room. You can assist the doctor if necessary. In some cases, you have the opportunity to get involved in medical check-ups. We cannot guarantee that you will be present during an operation.
Important: Without a fully completed training as a nurse, therapist or doctor, your work at the hospital or clinic is to be understood as an orientation internship. Tasks and activities can be assigned to you, but your commitment is not to be understood as that of a competent medical volunteer.
Although it's very busy, the Ghanaian staff don't let themselves be disturbed. You might have to get used to that first. For medical volunteer work, you will work Monday through Friday. Since the hospitals are open 24 hours a day, you can also work in the evenings. However, you should stick to the operational plan of the facility.
You have no previous medical knowledge? No problem!
Without previous knowledge, you can complete a medical or nursing internship at the facilities described above. Are you interested in the field of physiotherapy or psychology, is also one Orientation or compulsory internship possible at private facilities on site.
Accommodation Catering
Volunteer House in Accra
Since 2024, volunteers have been accommodated in the new Volunteer House in a great, central location in Accra. There's always a lot going on here: you live in the house with other volunteers and interns. There are four bedrooms available to you, each room offering space for four to eight volunteers. Three bathrooms with showers and toilets, two balconies and a large garden can be used. There is also a washing machine and the house is air conditioned with ceiling fans. Our cook will take care of your physical well-being both in the morning and in the evening.
The garden invites you to relax. There you can listen to music, read and exchange ideas. Or organize a game evening – there is a large selection of board games! Ama always organizes small social events for the residents.
All of Accra has a very well developed mobile network with 3G data transfer for e-mail or Skype. Accommodation and meals (breakfast and dinner) are included in our services both in the volunteer house and in the host family.
Location
Accra
Ghana se w Akwaaba! Welcome to Ghana! This culturally and scenically diverse country will immediately cast its spell on you. The Ghanaian way of life - the friendliness and open-mindedness of the locals - makes it easy for you to settle in quickly!
The bustling Ghanaian capital Accra, with around 2,3 million inhabitants, is located in the south of the country, directly on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. If you work in the metropolis, you can dive deep into the African urban jungle, but also get a taste of the coastal air.
In addition to traditional markets and a colorful variety of African delicacies, skyscrapers and modern shopping centers await you. Despite its size, the best way to explore the city is on foot. On the way through Accra you will always notice exciting contrasts. For example, the still existing castle from the early days of Accra, which today serves as the seat of government and is monitored in a state-of-the-art manner. Or the fishermen who continue to fish the sea the old-fashioned way and earn their living that way.
The capital may be climatically hot and initially overwhelm you with its crowded streets. But no matter whether you are in the center, in the west of the city or near the beach, Accra will convince you with culinary experiences and an excellent nightlife. So grab a few volunteers and go on a discovery tour together!
Your free time in Accra
After work and days off, you have enough time to relax and explore the area. Accra itself is a fascinating city and truly a place of contrasts. Modern shopping streets and skyscrapers meet traditional fishing settlements and old fortifications. Get acquainted with the diversity of the city on a walking tour, visit the mausoleum in Kwame Nkrumah Park and lose yourself in the hustle and bustle of the huge Makola market.
The imposing Christiansburg, also known as Osu Castle, awaits you on the coast. The former seat of government of Ghana is one of many European forts along the Gold Coast, reminiscent of a time when Ghana was a trading center for gold, ivory and slaves. Today the castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For those interested in culture, a visit to the newly renovated National Museum and the cultural centers Alliance Francaise and Brazil House with their weekly evening program is always worthwhile.
If you ever get tired of the hustle and bustle of the big city, we recommend a trip to one of the nearby beaches. Here you can relax between golden sands and palm trees during the day before heading out in the evening to be part of the lively nightlife.
But even further outside the city limits of Accra, Ghana still has a lot to offer that you should not miss. A special highlight is the Kakum National Park, where you have the opportunity to walk between the crowns of the jungle giants on a treetop path that is unique in Africa and marvel at the beauty of the rainforest from a height of up to 45 meters.
On-site procedure
Arrival in Accra
Once you arrive in Accra, you will be picked up directly at the airport by one of our RGV team members. The airport transfer is included in the services. We will take you to your accommodation, the Volunteer House - where you can first look around and set up. Your onward journey to the final project location, should it be in the Volta Region or Cape Coast, will take place after the orientation program.
Orientation program in Accra
Before things really get going and your project work in Ghana begins, our team will prepare you for your assignment on site. During the RGV orientation program you will usually be accommodated in the RGV Volunteer House. The program usually takes place over two mornings.
You will receive information about your tasks and activities in the project as well as the customs of your host country so that you can settle in well in your new environment. For example, you can explore the city with the team, buy a local SIM card or learn certain rules of conduct.
Your first day in the project
Your placement is always as close as possible to your accommodation. Each project position has different working hours (5-6 days a week), which will be discussed with you right at the beginning of your assignment. On the first day you will get to know the employees and the work processes and you will be briefed on your tasks.
Our team is your number 1 contact for the entire duration of your stay abroad in Ghana. If you have any questions or problems, you can contact our team at any time!
Pricing
-
base fee€ 1.250, -
-
extension week€ 145, - / week
included
Services
Before departure
- Individual advice and support from our trained RGV team in Munich
- Organization including placement in the project and coordination of your stay on site
- Assistance with preparation: visa, health care, travel insurance, etc.
- Non-binding flight advice
- Travel ABC with packing list for your travel preparation
- RGV t-shirt
On site
- Orientation program with the team on site
- Support and guidance from the on-site team
- RGV 24h emergency number
- Project t-shirt to wear during on-site activities
- Airport transfer on the agreed arrival and departure days
- Accommodation in volunteer house or with a host family
- Meals: Breakfast and dinner
- Impressive day tour
- Local SIM card (to top up yourself)
- Depending on the accommodation: Free WiFi or at least 1 GB mobile data volume
After return
- Participation confirmation of your voluntary commitment
- Reflection course on your experiences abroad
- Evaluation sheet and optional feedback discussion
not included
Services
- Round trip
- Private expenses on site
- Excursions with microlight flights
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- Visa and Vaccinations
- All nights outside your agreed accommodation
- Public transport and extra transfers
- Daily drive to the project
- Drinks
Individual
Recommended additional offers
& must-haves
Would you prefer to stay in a single room? Are you vegan or do you have special requests for food? Or do you want to do some cool trips with other volunteers in your free time and explore the country?
With us, you benefit from a variety of optional additional services that you can add individually to your booking, depending on your preferences.
Cheap flights with our flight partner thanks to volunteer rates.
Would you like to receive a cheap flight offer for your stay abroad that is perfectly tailored to you? After you have successfully registered, you can have a non-binding offer created.
The excellent rates for volunteers, students and young people are a great advantage. Arrival times and flight time changes can also be sent directly to RGV upon request, so that our RGV teams in the destination countries are always informed about your arrival times.
These special tariffs give you special added value:
- maximum flexibility for rebookings and cancellations
- generous baggage allowance
- Additional discounts on one-way flights: The new volunteer tariffs include attractive discounts to reduce your financial burden on one-way flights (e.g. for stopovers, project or country combinations).
Benefit from the 4 in 1 ERGO travel insurance.
You can easily book the long-term travel protection of ERGO Reiseversicherung after you have registered. You will receive the links to this automatically after a successful registration.
The following building blocks are included:
- Health Insurance
- Comfort protection: accident, liability and interruption insurance
- Travel insurance
- Interactive online TEFL/TESOL course for volunteers
- Interactive online TEFL/TESOL course
- Twi language course for RGV volunteers and interns abroad
- English language course for RGV volunteers and interns abroad
-
Personal development introductory courseFree of charge
Accra
Team
site
Our team in Ghana has been welcoming RGV volunteers since 1999. AMA leads the RGV team in Accra and accompanies our participants during their stay. She is supported by Mom Mina and other helping hands like Alfred, Emos and Teresa.
Mama Mina set up the location in Ghana together with RGV. Ama is your direct contact person on site and always has an open ear for you. Mina continues to be the good soul of many projects and devotes herself to our street children project.
Volunteers talk about their experiences Joint commitment - big impact!
42 Weeks Ghana: Hospital and street children project
It was amazing how much love I felt for the children, even though they had infuriated me less than 24 hours before. The time I spent on this project is and will remain unforgettable.Medical internship in Ghana field report
I worked in the laboratory, where I was not tasked with typical "intern employment tasks", but rather helped to prepare the blood count and independently carried out HIV, hepatitis B and typhoid tests, among other things.
RGV
FAQ
to the project
What are the project fees used for?
Although we are a non-profit organization, there are costs associated with volunteering abroad. Find out here, why volunteering requires money and what your project fee is used for.
Which visa do I need for Ghana?
For Ghana you have to apply for a visa in advance. It is best to get information from Foreign Office about the currently applicable entry regulations.
The visa should be applied for no earlier than three months before the flight to Ghana, otherwise it will expire. This is valid for up to 90 days and costs €110. You can then extend the visa on site with our team leader without any problems, should you stay longer.
We will send you the necessary documents, such as a letter of invitation, as well as other important information in good time after your registration.
What vaccinations/ health precautions do I need for Ghana?
Proof of yellow fever and current Covid vaccination is required to enter Ghana.
You can get general information about recommended health care and vaccinations online Center for Travel Medicine as well as on the side of Foreign Office.
What language skills do I need for the project?
In order to be able to communicate well with the team on site, you should definitely have good English skills.
What are the requirements for the medical project?
Participation in this volunteer project is only possible with prior knowledge. You should either already have completed training in the medical field or be at least in the fifth semester of your medical studies.
Without previous knowledge you can Internship . make
What do I need to bring with me for the medical project?
If you already have work clothes from the hospital (such as tunics), you are welcome to bring them with you.
What do I have to consider as an LGBTQ person?
Please be aware that homosexual acts are considered undesirable in many countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America and are even punishable by law in some places. In general, people who are identified as queer are often exposed to hostility.
For example, get information from Foreign Office about the exact regulations in your destination country.
Ready to volunteer in Ghana? Start your adventure abroad with Rainbow Garden Village!
Rainbow Garden Village has been offering volunteer work and internships abroad since 1999. What started as a small student initiative in Ghana has now grown into an organization with over 250 projects around the world.
You can be sure that your work as a volunteer will be an unforgettable experience. Bring your commitment and your knowledge to do good locally - and at the same time benefit from the unique experiences that will promote your personal development.
Become part of our RGV community!
We look forward to you.
RGV
Your way
to the volunteer
1
Choose your volunteer project and register online.
2
We will review your application and confirm your participation.
3
Prepare for your assignment online or in our preparatory seminar in Munich.
4
Here we go! During your volunteer work, we will support you at any time with our on-site team.
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