Medical students with at least two years’ experience, as well as qualified healthcare professionals with an interest in expanding their global medical perspective and gaining first-hand experience in a new healthcare medical environment. Nurses and other volunteers in medically-related professions who have completed at least two years of training are also well suited to this project.

Project details

Ready to jump into your scrubs and be a Medical volunteer in Ghana? International Volunteer HQ’s Medical project enables volunteers to gain experience in clinics and outreach efforts in rural towns where people often struggle to access basic healthcare. Medical volunteers can help fill the gap left by a shortage of qualified professionals in these areas, relieving pressure on health initiatives and giving local people the chance to have their health needs attended to.

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

The healthcare system in Ghana is considered fairly adequate relative to other African countries, however there is still considerable need for volunteer assistance. Once you get outside the major cities, the standard of healthcare drops considerably and there is a shortage of trained medical professionals.

As a Medical volunteer you can help in small clinics in under-resourced, rural areas for two days a week; and with a mobile wound care outreach service for the remaining three days. You should expect to be working with limited resources, and understand that the healthcare environment you’re volunteering in will be different to what you’re used to.

Volunteer duties will depend on your experience and how much time you’re spending on your program. Longer term and qualified volunteers are more likely to have hands-on tasks, though this should not be expected. Initially at least, your tasks are likely to be mostly observational or administrative. Outreach clinics are more hands-on than clinic-based volunteering.

You will need to provide a copy of your qualifications, or a letter and transcript from your school to the local team in Ghana on arrival.

Why do Medical volunteering in Ghana with IVHQ?

Why do Medical volunteering in Ghana with IVHQ? While volunteering on the Medical project in Ghana you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

Helping rural communities access vital healthcare
Observing clinical practice in action
Developing your communication skills
Gaining medical experience
Participating in a cross-cultural exchange of ideas
Immersing yourself fully in the Ghanian way of life
Exploring Ghana’s rich history and culture

Volunteer requirements

To join the Medical project in Ghana, volunteers need to be medical or nursing students with at least two years’ training; or qualified healthcare professionals. Volunteers in other medically-related professions who have completed at least two years of training may also be eligible to take part.

Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate in this program. If you are under the age of 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more. All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.

Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

Not sure which program to join?

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Who is going?

Group video calls

Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.

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Volunteers pose with the local children on the IVHQ Ghana Childcare project

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What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

Bernadette Brennan

04 Oct 2024

I gave 100% and received many grateful thanks and blessings from the Ghanaian people. It is very hard to describe one's experience as I believe one has to go through it themselves but my advice is to take on the new challenge, get out of your comfort zone and make a difference in people's lives.

...

Megan Palmer

22 May 2024

If you are hesitant to do a volunteer experience abroad, I highly recommend it. It has changed my perspective of the world. Thank you IVHQ.

...

Keisuke Abe

20 Dec 2023

I participated in the medical program for two weeks. We assisted at a local clinic and visited villages with patients to care for their wounds using limited medical supplies. It is a valuable experience that you cannot have in your own country. I highly recommend participating.

...

Michelle McArthur

09 May 2023

The guidance and support I received was very helpful in making me feel secure and comfortable with my decision to volunteer. The local team was also very supportive and I always felt safe my entire stay which was important to me. Being able to help people in remote places with little or no access to healthcare was an amazing experience.

...

Sheila ODonnell

24 Mar 2023

My Program Manager was fantastic. She was thorough, very responsive and greatly appreciated. I think being there for 6mo, I was able to identify and implement several improvements to the Wound Care program in Ghana which was a big benefit to the patients. Millie is such a wonderful hostess. She works so hard to keep the house clean and comfortable for each and every volunteer. She was very responsive and receptive to giving assistance when needed and she is a kind soul that brightened up our house every day. Elvis was amazing. He could not have been more responsive, receptive, organized and thorough. Not only did he keep our house safe and running smoothly, he also did a tremendous job organizing the weekend getaways. I am extremely impressed with his dedication to his job, the volunteers and his community. I will miss our evening wrap up chats!! Mary is a FANTASTIC cook and a very caring person. She works really hard to provide the best meals possible for the volunteers while working around her food budget and the food options in that community. She met with us regularly asking for feedback and did her best to accommodate us such as increasing fruit and vegetables which are expensive and not always available at the markets as much as we would have liked which is totally out of her control.

My favourite moment was seeing patients in town that had come to our placement for free medical care, then seeing them healthy and thriving again. What a gift we gave to one another-they received the assistance they needed and I received great joy/satisfaction in being able to share my medical skills with these wonderful people. This program impacted me greatly by being finally able to live my dream of helping those across the world who are less fortunate than me just because of the random place of our birth. I truly believe we are all one people on one planet and those of us who have resources have an obligation to help those in need. It is difficult to step out of your comfort zone for sure but the rewards far outweigh the discomfort. Take the step, you won't regret it because it truly can be life-changing for the good! And as an extra bonus, you will meet some really interesting people on this journey from all around the world.

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Jennifer Quezada

06 Oct 2022

The local team was great. They always made sure I was comfortable and happy at the volunteer house and the local clinics. There were so many great moments. My absolute favorite would be spending time and getting to know the local children. Everyone in Ghana was so nice and extremely welcoming. They made me feel right at home.

Going to Ghana, I knew it would be an adjustment. I was aware that I would be in a space where they did not have the same resources as I would here at home. It was truly an adjustment for me when I got to see what they actually had. It was amazing to see how they made it work with the supplies they did have. They never complained. It was truly humbling to see the way things worked here.

I am SO grateful to have been able to witness so much love, respect and unity in a community. The other volunteers you meet, the culture, the food, the people will all be worth it! Whether you go to make an impact on the community or to find something within yourself, this will be an unforgettable experience. Do not let fear keep you from trying something new. Get out of your comfort zone and take a leap of faith.

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

Academic course credit

Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!

Learn about course credit

Location

Location

When you volunteer in Ghana with IVHQ, you’ll get the opportunity to experience the country’s vibrant, diverse culture and get to know the people who are said to be some of the friendliest locals in Western Africa. While Ghana is a rapidly developing country which has seen an economic upturn in the last decade, there are still many places where people face the challenges poverty brings. This is especially true outside of the major cities in the rural areas where volunteers are most needed.

Rural volunteer placements are typically in low-income areas which often lack the funding, labor and resources they need to develop their communities. By choosing to volunteer in Ghana you can make a real difference by assisting with local initiatives that seek to improve the quality of life for the people who live there.

Arrival and orientation

The program orientation begins on the 1st and 15th of every month, or just on the 15th of every month for those taking part in the Healthcare Outreach & Education project. Volunteers need to arrive in Accra on the day before orientation.

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee.

When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer accommodation in Accra. Please note that you will stay in Accra city for one night, unless it is the weekend, in which case you will stay in the city until Monday morning. Once you have completed your orientation, you will move to a rural community in the greater Accra region where you will be placed for the remainder of your stay. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.

If you are traveling in Ghana prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up at a prearranged location in Accra on the day before your program orientation.

Orientation is hosted by our local team in Accra and begins on the morning of your chosen start date. This covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program Ghana – an introduction to Ghana, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, and an introduction to project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.

After orientation you will be taken to your placement in a rural Ghanian community.

Volunteer schedule example

First Day

On the first day of volunteering, volunteers will be escorted to their placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff they will be working with. A typical daily schedule would be as follows:

7:30 AM	Breakfast at the volunteer house.
8:00 AM	Travel to placement to join local placement staff and begin work on your project. There is usually a tea break and a lunch break.
2:00 - 5:00 PM	Work at the project usually ends and you are free to relax and use the remainder of the day as you wish.
6:30 PM	Dinner at the volunteer accommodation.

Please note this schedule can vary depending on your project and placement.

Weekends

During the weekends, volunteers have spare time and usually just relax or take the opportunity to discover the brilliant colors, music, food, fashion, history and nature that combine to make Ghana a true feast for the senses. Head to the capital city of Accra to see markets, museums and live music, or take a trip to Cape Coast and Elmina where you’ll find the Elmina Slave Castle - the first trading post built South of the Sahara - and pretty, palm-lined beaches where you can relax in the sun. You can also spend long weekends visiting other Western African countries like the neighbouring nations of Côte d’Ivoire and Togo.

Looking for more ideas of things to do in Ghana? Check out our Ghana Travel & Tours page!

Accommodation and WiFi

You’ll stay in a volunteer house with other volunteers. There are separate rooms for male and female volunteers with shared common room and toilet facilities. Living is basic but the majority of volunteer houses have electricity, while only few have running water. Power cuts are common in Ghana and most rural houses do not have running water during times of drought. Pillows and sheets are provided, however it is recommended that you bring your own towels and mosquito nets - or buy them in Ghana.

There is WiFi access available at local cafes and restaurants in a nearby village, which is a 15 to 20 minute walk from the volunteer accommodation. You can also purchase a local SIM card with data for an unlocked mobile phone to keep connected.

Meals

Volunteers in Ghana are served three meals per day. Breakfast generally consists of tea and coffee, and a hot breakfast. A typical lunch and dinner can include meat and vegetables with rice or noodles. If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know ahead of time so that we can make arrangements for you.

Volunteer dining room in Ghana with IVHQ

Typical volunteer house dining room

Volunteers eating dinner in Ghana with IVHQ

Typical volunteer house dining room

IVHQ volunteer accommodation kitchen in Ghana

Typical volunteer house kitchen

IVHQ volunteer accommodation bedroom in Ghana

Typical volunteer bedroom

Volunteer accommodation bedroom in Ghana with IVHQ

Typical volunteer bedroom

Typical volunteer breakfast

Typical volunteer lunch

Typical volunteer dinner

Pricing

USD
- United States Dollars - $
- Australian Dollars - AU$
- Brazilian Reals - R$
- British Pound Sterling - £
- Canadian Dollars - CA$
- Chinese Yuan - CN¥
- Euros - €
- Hong Kong Dollars - HK$
- Mexican Pesos - MX$
- New Zealand Dollars - NZ$
- Singapore Dollars - SG$
- Swiss Francs - CHF
- UAE Dirhams - AED

Duration	Program Fee Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you. USD United States Dollars - $ Australian Dollars - AU$ Brazilian Reals - R$ British Pound Sterling - £ Canadian Dollars - CA$ Chinese Yuan - CN¥ Euros - € Hong Kong Dollars - HK$ Mexican Pesos - MX$ New Zealand Dollars - NZ$ Singapore Dollars - SG$ Swiss Francs - CHF UAE Dirhams - AED
1 week	$459 Equivalent to $66/day
2 weeks	$712 Equivalent to $51/day
3 weeks	$921 Equivalent to $44/day
4 weeks	$1,130 Equivalent to $40/day
5 weeks	$1,339 Equivalent to $38/day
6 weeks	$1,548 Equivalent to $37/day
8 weeks	$2,026 Equivalent to $36/day
10 weeks	$2,504 Equivalent to $36/day
12 weeks	$2,994 Equivalent to $36/day
16 weeks	$3,998 Equivalent to $36/day
20 weeks	$5,002 Equivalent to $36/day
24 weeks	$6,006 Equivalent to $36/day

All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately CA$436) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Ghana generally find US$50 to be sufficient for weekly expenses, including water, toilet paper, transport and miscellaneous spending.

Meals
Airport pick-up
US$69 per week to cover medical supplies and transport to and from placement when traveling to the more rural villages
Accommodation
24/7 in-country support
In-country program orientation
Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

Return airport transfer when your program finishes
Flights
Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.

Popular add-ons & experiences in Ghana

Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Ghana program.

Airport Drop-off

Enjoy a stress free ride from the volunteer accommodation back to Kotoka International Airport arranged by our local team.

CA$134

Extra Nights of Accommodation

Arriving early or departing a few days after your program finished? Book your extra nights of accommodation.

From CA$61

View all add-ons & experiences

Check what's required to visit Ghana

Safety and support

IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.

Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Capital	Accra
Population	30.42 million
Languages	English
Currency	Ghanian Cedi (GHS)
Time zone	UTC+00:00

Weather and climate

Weather and climate: Ghana has a tropical climate and the average temperature falls between 21°C to 28°C (70°F to 82°F). In the north, there is a rainy season from April to June and September to November. The rainy season in the south lasts from April to mid-November. The weather is typically humid however, over the dry season, desert winds in the north can create cooler evenings and a drier atmosphere.

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