Ghana Program FAQs
Global Volunteers began working in Ghana in 1999 with traditional councils and educational institutions to help supplement meager resources. Our commitment is to support comprehensive community development under the direction of local leaders - ensuring that volunteer teams serve the community-at-large. Working in partnership with local people on long-term service projects is foundational to our sustained relationship with host organizations worldwide. Our investments of volunteer service, program support and international recognition are hallmarks of our commitment to this partnership in Ghana.GETTING THERE
When should I arrive in and depart from the host country?
Plan your flight to arrive at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana (airport code ACC), before 9:00PM on the first day of your service program. Plan your departure from Accra for any time after 10:00AM on the final day of your service program. This coordinated schedule will assist in assembling the team for transportation to the host community. Global Volunteers official service program commences on the first Saturday of your service program with the evening meal. Any expenses that occur before the evening meal, other than airport pick-up within the window of arrival, are that of the volunteer.
Will someone meet me at the airport?
Yes, provided you send your flight itinerary to Global Volunteers at least two weeks in advance of the service program arrival date. Your team leader will meet you within the prescribed arrival window, and will be displaying a Global Volunteers logo sign in the public area outside of Customs. You will travel with your team mates to the first night's lodging in Accra.
What should I do if my flight is delayed?
Please notify Global Volunteers as soon as you confirm your new arrival time so your team leader can arrange for your transportation to the hotel. If you make last-minute changes to your itinerary, or if you don't inform us of your flight plans, you must arrange your own transportation to the hotel or host community.
How late can I arrive in the host community?
Our orientation sessions are a critical component of the preparation for your assignments. If circumstances beyond your control prevent you from reaching the program on the opening day of the program, we require that you arrive no later than 9:00 AM on the following day so you can join your team for these sessions.
What should I do if I arrive before the scheduled arrival date?
If you choose to spend time in-country before the service program begins, please meet your team leader at Kotoka International Airport in Accra within the prescribed arrival window on the first day of your service program.
FOOD AND LODGING
What type of lodging is provided?
The first night of your service program, your team will stay at a hotel near the Accra airport in double occupancy rooms with two single beds, a telephone, refrigerator, desk and air-conditioning. The host community lodging is a small, tourist-class guest house, double occupancy with a single rooms available for an additional fee. Each room has two single beds, a chair, a ceiling fan, and a private bathroom. Ghana single room option fee
What are the laundry arrangements?
There is no laundromat in either host community. You may hand-wash your clothes or arrange for hotel staff to do it for you. Clothes are dried on an outside clothesline.
What is the electrical power?
The current in Ghana is 230 volts. Outlets in Ghana are usually one of two types: Type D, which has three round pins, or Type G, which has three flat pins. If you are packing electronic devices which will need to be plugged in, you'll need a set of universal plug adapters.
What is the local cuisine?
The local food is an important and enjoyable part of the cultural experience in Ghana. Local cooks are not necessarily familiar with Western diets, but will attempt to provide a variety of dishes. Local people eat many foods with their hands. However, utensils will be provided for team members. Breakfast typically includes coffee, tea, eggs, bread and/or various types of porridge. Lunch and dinner will consist of soups, rice, beans, chicken, fish, yam and fried plantain. Beef, pork and goat are also served, as are a limited variety of vegetables.
Can special diets be accommodated?
Special dietary needs cannot be accommodated. Many dishes do not have meat, but might be cooked with animal products. You must bring food items such as nutrition bars and crackers to supplement your meals if you have strict dietary requirements.
Will potable drinking water be provided?
The team leader will provide purified water for the team's use. Please bring a refillable water bottle.
HEALTH TIPS
What are the principal health risks?
The most serious potential health risks are sunburn, heat exhaustion and insect bites. By following guidelines in your orientation materials and presented by your team leader, you can avoid health hazards in the host community.
What health precautions should I take?
We strongly recommend you consult your own physician, public health clinic and/or travel clinic for detailed travel health information.
For general recommendations, consult the following sources:
Centers for Disease Control
Health Canada Online
Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Travel Health Online
Is the water safe to drink?
Do not drink the tap water in Ghana. We recommend that you bring a water bottle and keep it filled with bottled water that will be provided to you by the Global Volunteers country manager.
Is it safe to eat food purchased from street vendors?
We strongly recommend that you do not purchase food from street vendors.
What type of insurance do you recommend?
We strongly recommend medical insurance that covers you while you are outside your home country, and trip cancellation insurance. Your travel agent can refer you to travel insurance providers. Global Volunteers will provide you with emergency medical evacuation insurance.
MONEY MATTERS
What is the local currency?
The cedi is the Ghanaian currency.
What is the current exchange rate?
For currency conversion information, refer to the following website: FXConverter
Where do I exchange money?
You can exchange money at the airport upon your arrival, or in Accra or Tema. It's not possible to exchange money in the host community. Please note that under Ghanaian law, no more than 50,000 cedi in local currency can be taken out of Ghana per traveler.
Can I use cash, credit cards or checks?
Visa is the most widely accepted credit card in Ghana. MasterCard and Visa cards may only be used to get cash advances in a few banks in Accra, so they are not reliable options. American Express cards are not accepted for cash advances. Travelers Checks are accepted at some foreign exchange offices, but banks close at 2:30 in the afternoon, making exchanging traveler's checks more difficult. Cash is more widely accepted and generally gets a better rate than travelers checks. Large, unmarked new style design US bills are the best option. Please note that $50 and $100 bills of the old style design are not accepted in Ghana, so it is best to bring bills in the new style design.
How much money should I bring with me?
The amount of money you bring depends on your personal spending and shopping habits. Global Volunteers service program fee covers all meals, lodging, transportation and work project expenses during the service program except free time expenses and alcoholic beverages. Many souvenir items can be purchased for less than US$5.00. Approximately US$150-$200 should cover an individual's transportation and lodging expenses for a typical weekend free-time excursion.
COMMUNICATIONS
How can my family contact me while I am in Ghana?
In the event of an emergency, your family should refer to the Emergency Contact Sheet that you will receive prior to your departure for Ghana. Please leave a copy with anyone who might need to reach you.
Can I make international phone calls?
There are telecommunication centers and pay phones where international phone calls can be placed. However, calls placed through telephone operators can be expensive. A phone card can be purchased for US$5 and will give you about 150 units, or about three minutes for calls to the U.S.
Is internet service available?
Some telecommunication centers in the cities of Tema and Accra have Internet services. There is no internet service at the guest house.