Updated for 2025-2026
Ghana marches to its own fantastic beat. From the bustling streets of its capital, Accra, and beaches along the coast to the green farmlands and breathtaking national parks, Ghana wows every step of the way.
It is a nation of vibrant cultures and diverse landscapes, beckoning those with a spirit of adventure and a heart for service. Offering a plethora of enriching experiences, volunteering in Ghana is not just about lending a helping hand; it’s about becoming part of a larger narrative that weaves together the threads of community development, healthcare, education, and empowerment.
Did you know that Ghana’s national sport is soccer? It’s a safe bet that you’ll find yourself playing soccer with locals at some point. Ghanaian cuisine is also known for its mix of fresh produce like okra, mango, and watermelon, which you’ll get to enjoy.
This country is more than just a friendly place with beautiful people and gorgeous natural views. Ghana’s growing economy and vibrant democracy give its people plenty to be proud of. There’s a lot of opportunity in the country — and that’s what makes it a great place to volunteer, intern, or teach abroad.
In this article, we explore the numerous opportunities available for volunteers, interns, and educators, each designed to leave a lasting impact on the communities they serve and on the individuals themselves.
From the pulsating energy of Accra to the tranquility of the Akuapem Hills, join us as we explore the transformative volunteer programs in Ghana, where each contribution paves the way for a brighter future and a deeper understanding of this magnificent country.
Volunteer in Ghana
Volunteer organizations offer you lots of different options to do your part. Whether it’s contributing to the development of rural communities, enhancing healthcare services, empowering women and girls, or coaching football to enthusiastic youths, Ghana presents diverse volunteering opportunities that cater to different passions and skills.
Here are some of the most rewarding volunteer programs in Ghana, highlighting how each one contributes not only to the betterment of local communities but also to the personal growth and global perspective of volunteers.
Volunteer in Community Development
Oftentimes, what communities need most is the infrastructure to make great things happen. Help build schools and community centers, address issues related to education and healthcare, and promote gender equality.
International Volunteer HQ’s Construction and Renovation project in Ghana’s Accra Region offers a hands-on opportunity for volunteers to assist in building and upgrading essential community infrastructure. This program, ideal for those who are eager to contribute to construction and renovation efforts, does not require prior experience in the field. Volunteers collaborate closely with local teams to enhance facilities in rural towns, directly impacting the safety, health, and functionality of these communities.
Projects Abroad offers the opportunity to travel to Ghana to help build important infrastructure, like classrooms, toilet blocks, libraries, and homes. You’ll work in one of the many little rural villages found in Akuapem Hills and stay with a local host family.
Community Construction with IVI in Ghana supports rural villages by helping local skilled workers with vital repairs and infrastructure improvements, such as classrooms and community buildings. Volunteers collaborate closely with residents, enhancing living standards while gaining hands‑on building experience.
Volunteering Solutions’ Community Development Volunteer Program in Ghana offers volunteers aged 17+ the chance to live alongside locals in Accra or Tamale, contributing meaningfully through construction, renovation, education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, and community initiatives.
Global Vision International (GVI) offers a comprehensive community development volunteer program in the Greater Accra region. Assist with construction projects and provide community support so communities can get on the path to sustainable futures.
Volunteer in Healthcare
Proper resources for treatable diseases, such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, could help solve many health issues too many people face in Ghana — and give them the opportunity to live healthy, fulfilling lives. Join a healthcare volunteer program and help support initiatives to bring medical services to those in Ghana who need them most.
The Healthcare Outreach and Education project in Ghana, offered by International Volunteer HQ, is a week-long campaign aimed at enhancing the health and well-being of people in rural Ghanaian communities. Volunteers help in malaria testing and treatment, along with providing crucial health education. This program is suitable for anyone interested in healthcare, regardless of their medical background, and focuses on improving access to essential health services in rural areas.
In Kokrobite, GVI’s Women’s Reproductive Health program supports young women and girls through workshops on puberty, menstrual hygiene, contraception, mental health, and vocational training. Volunteers co-facilitate safe spaces, build confidence, and foster gender equality via education and practical skills.
Volunteer for Girls’ and Women’s Empowerment
Did you know that the average schooling for girls in Ghana is two years less than boys? With the right support and opportunities, Ghanaian women can unlock their full potential and transform themselves, their families, and their communities.
The Volunteer Girls Teaching Program by Volunteer Solutions in Tamale, Ghana, focuses on empowering young girls through education in subjects like English, Mathematics, and Computers. Volunteers in this program work at a school with the mission to educate disadvantaged female students in urban villages around Tamale. This program is open to anyone passionate about teaching and working with children, with no formal teaching qualifications necessary.
The Gender Equality for Girls program in Ghana, operated by GVI, works to empower women and girls along the Gulf of Guinea coastline by providing skills training, promoting health and well-being, and improving computer literacy and English language skills. Volunteers assist in delivering workshops and classroom talks on topics such as menstrual health and building healthy relationships, aiming to foster confidence and promote agency among young women.
This program contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including Gender Equality and Reduced Inequalities, and is open to those who wish to contribute to women’s and girls’ empowerment initiatives in Ghana.
Volunteer for Sports Coaching
Football is Ghana’s national sport, uniting communities and nurturing youth, with volunteers serving as coaches, mentors, and fitness role models. Programs like IVHQ’s Sports Teaching in the Accra region have you assisting in PE classes at under-resourced schools, building teamwork, confidence, and coordination.
Projects Abroad’s Soccer Coaching in Ghana places you in the Akuapem Hills, working alongside local coaches at schools and clubs, planning sessions, teaching ball control, passing, tactics, and joining weekend matches. They also offer a Basketball coaching variant!
Volunteering Solutions’ Football Coaching in Tamale involves supporting local coaches in schools and clubs, organizing practice drills, matches, and helping players improve their skills. You can even combine this with community development or orphanage placements.
IVI’s Sports Coaching in Ghana supports multiple sports — including football — across local schools and after‑school clubs in and around Accra, helping identify emerging talent and organize matches.
All programs welcome volunteers of all experience levels, offering significant coaching exposure, cultural immersion, teamwork development, and the joy of contributing to Ghana’s vibrant football passion, any time of year.
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Intern in Ghana
Gain valuable work experience serving those in need in Ghana. From empowering local entrepreneurs through microfinance to providing essential medical aid in bustling hospitals, each internship offers a unique window into the complexities and triumphs of life in Ghana.
We have curated a selection of dynamic internships in Ghana, each presenting a different facet of the nation’s socio-economic landscape. Whether it’s through journalism, education, healthcare, or legal work, these internships are not just about gaining work experience; they are about immersing oneself in an environment where learning transcends the traditional boundaries of a classroom.
Through these programs, interns can not only contribute meaningfully to Ghanaian communities but also gain invaluable insights and skills that resonate far beyond their time in the country.
Microfinance & Social Work Internships
Lack of access to capital keeps many Ghanaians from starting businesses or gaining security. As a microfinance or social work intern with Projects Abroad, you’ll empower marginalized communities by providing funding, financial training, and support to women’s groups and entrepreneurs in settings such as leprosy camps and fishing villages.
Through counseling, needs assessments, and educational workshops, you’ll play a part in breaking cycles of poverty and helping individuals build brighter futures.
Join a Medical Internship
If you’re in medical school or are a qualified nurse or doctor, you can utilize your specialized knowledge to reduce the workload often placed on Ghana’s overburdened medical resources. Play a key role in providing medical services and combating the effects of diseases like malaria and tuberculosis.
The Medical Internship program in Ghana with Projects Abroad offers participants the chance to gain invaluable work experience by shadowing doctors in hospitals and participating in health checks. Ideal for anyone considering a career in medicine, this internship allows for an immersive experience in a developing country’s medical practices, with opportunities to learn about diagnosing and treating various diseases and conditions. Interns work in a large regional hospital and participate in community outreaches, providing essential health services and education, making this program a great fit for those looking to add real-world experience to their resume.
They also offer internships in more specialized fields like dentistry, midwifery, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, public health, and speech therapy.
Involvement Volunteers International also offers hospital-based placements, giving interns a chance to learn about tropical diseases, local health practices, and resourceful care delivery.
Journalism & Media Internships
Ghana has lots of stories to tell. Help document those stories as you put your journalism skills to work.
Interning in journalism with Projects Abroad or Involvement Volunteers International places you at the heart of Accra’s bustling media scene, where you can contribute to newspapers, TV, or radio outlets.
Learn how to research, develop, and pitch stories alongside local journalists, gaining practical newsroom experience in a country known for its vibrant press.
Law, Human Rights & Social Justice Internships
Though Ghana has made great progress, there remain a number of societal issues that need to be addressed. Raising awareness of human rights in various marginalized communities can solve important problems. Be a part of that solution by doing a law and human rights internship.
Through Projects Abroad’s Law internship, you can gain practical legal experience and boost your resume while working at a law firm in Ghana. You can also conduct human rights work while empowering marginalized communities in Accra on Projects Abroad’s Human Rights internship.
In addition to the Law and Human Rights internships, the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Internship in Ghana by GVI offers a unique opportunity to contribute to social justice and international development. Based in Kokrobite, interns work closely with GVI Ghana’s school partners to enhance inclusivity in education, integrating new teaching methods and raising community awareness about inequities. This program allows interns to engage deeply with local socio-economic and cultural contexts, identifying and addressing injustice and inequality affecting vulnerable community members.
Women’s Empowerment & Gender Equality Internships
Help move the needle toward a more equitable society through GVI’s Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment programs. Interns assist with workshops, leadership training, and health education, partnering with local organizations in Kokrobite.
These internships focus on building capacity and confidence for women and girls, addressing critical topics such as menstrual health, vocational training, and community leadership.
Veterinary Medicine
If you’re passionate about animal welfare, Projects Abroad’s Veterinary Medicine Internship offers hands-on opportunities in clinics and community outreach, supporting local vets and learning about the unique challenges of animal care in West Africa.
Education & Teaching Internships
A solid educational system is crucial to unleashing the full potential of a country’s youth. Ghana’s children have the drive to learn, yet rural and under-resourced communities often lack support. Help move Ghana toward a better future as an education intern.
The Teaching & Education Development Internship in Ghana by GVI is a program where interns gain practical experience by assisting local teachers in lesson planning, classroom management, and tutoring in the Ghanaian coastal town of Kokrobite. Interns contribute to a range of subjects including English, arts, and literacy for nursery to junior-school-aged students, while also engaging in extra-curricular activities.
This program aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal #4, Quality Education, and offers interns the chance to immerse themselves in West African culture, meet participants from around the world, and make a significant impact on local education. The internship is ideal for those interested in education, liberal arts, and related fields, offering skills development in areas like leadership, project management, and cultural awareness.
Teach in Ghana
Teachers have the power to shift mindsets and motivate youth to achieve great things. As Ghana develops and moves toward a brighter future, its educators will play a vital role. You can help.
Here are great options for teaching in Ghana.
Teach English in Ghana
English is a national language in Ghana, but many children rarely get to hear it spoken by non-Ghanaian speakers of the language. Learning English can open up a world of opportunities for those living in Ghana. Spark students’ creativity and curiosity by not just teaching English in Ghana, but also sharing your knowledge, ideas, and experiences.
International Volunteer HQ’s Teaching English project in the Accra Region offers volunteers a chance to make a significant impact by teaching English, along with other subjects like math, music, and arts, to students in these underserved areas. This program is ideal for fluent English speakers interested in improving educational access and quality for disadvantaged students.
You can gain practical teaching experience by teaching English to children in more rural areas of Ghana, through Projects Abroad’s Teaching Project in Ghana. You’ll support teachers at a local junior school that provides free education to village children.
Teach in Special Needs Education
Approximately 100,00 children aged 6 to 14 in Ghana have a disability, with many not receiving the education they need and deserve. Help children with disabilities gain knowledge and build independence by becoming a volunteer in special needs education.
The Speech Therapy internship in Ghana by Projects Abroad presents a valuable opportunity for those pursuing a career in speech therapy. This program, based at a special needs school lacking an in-house speech therapist, allows interns to apply their skills and training to assist children with speech and language impairments. Interns play a crucial role in boosting these children’s confidence and quality of life, designing and implementing treatment plans, and potentially training staff and other interns.
The internship requires at least two years of speech therapy-related studies or training and offers the chance to gain practical experience, develop systems to improve workplace efficiency, and contribute to data analysis and reporting.
This program aims to develop interns’ professional skills and provide critical therapy to children in need, thereby improving access to basic healthcare and supporting the wider medical goals in Ghana.
IT Teaching
As Ghana’s society and economy become increasingly digital, the need for IT teachers will only grow. Help Ghanaian youth gain computer literacy — and give them an advantage to achieve success in the 21st century.
Projects Abroad has an exciting IT teaching program in Ghana. You live with a host family and get to teach children ages 6 to 12. The grand mission is to make it possible for these students to use technology on their own to build skills and knowledge and secure a better future. The program lasts from two to eight weeks (or longer).
Arts & Crafts
The Art & Design Teaching in Accra project (via Involvement Volunteers International) lets you volunteer at local school art clubs, leading classes and workshops using diverse materials and media. You’ll mentor children, encouraging creative expression and confidence, while collaborating with Ghanaian artists to integrate traditional styles like batik, sculpture, painting, and wood carving.
Volunteers typically design their own syllabus, support students in preparing exhibitions, and gain practical teaching experience. Projects run for 4 to 20 weeks, include accommodation, orientation, and daily in‑country support.
Meaningful Reasons to Volunteer, Intern, or Teach Abroad in Ghana
No matter your preferences, goal, or budget, we have shared some meaningful ways you can make a difference in Ghana. Now, here are 4 meaningful reasons to get you packing right away:
1. You Can Change Someone’s Life
Volunteering or interning in Ghana is not just about the help you provide; it’s about the lives you touch and the difference you make. Imagine being the reason a child in a remote village gets to learn English or a small business owner gets the financial training to succeed. Your actions have the power to create positive ripples in the lives of individuals and communities.
2. You Can Be Part of a Community
Immersing yourself in a Ghanaian community offers a unique opportunity to connect deeply with its people. You’ll experience their day-to-day lives, share in their joys and challenges, and forge lasting bonds. This connection goes beyond mere volunteering; it’s about becoming part of a community that welcomes you with open arms.
3. You Can See the World
Volunteering in Ghana is your gateway to exploring a world vastly different from your own. From the bustling markets of Accra to the serene beauty of the Akuapem Hills, every corner of Ghana offers new experiences, perspectives, and stories. This journey is not just about seeing new places but about immersing yourself in a rich cultural tapestry.
4. You Can Build Your Resume and Further Your Career Opportunities
Each volunteer or internship opportunity in Ghana provides skills and experiences that are invaluable in the professional world. Whether it’s enhancing your teamwork abilities, developing leadership skills, or gaining practical experience in your field of study, these experiences make your resume stand out. They equip you with unique stories and insights that can set you apart in job interviews and cover letters, propelling your career to new heights.
In essence, volunteering, interning, or teaching in Ghana is about embarking on a journey that enriches both the lives of others and your own. It’s a path to personal growth, professional development, and making a tangible impact in a community that will cherish your contribution for years to come.
To ensure you get in the volunteer program you want, apply and reserve your spot once as soon as possible.
Nick Callos · Writer
With a BA in English Literature & Writing from Boston College, Nick researches and writes about volunteer, intern, and teach abroad programs worldwide. He has studied abroad and taught English in Chengdu, China, and aims to help fellow travelers make a lasting impact on the communities they visit.