VPWA offers internship opportunities in local hospitals and clinics in Ghana. Depending on your level of knowledge, experience and skill the work can range from observing doctors to offering basic assistance. Please note, without an appropriate licence, you are restricted on what you can do in a hospital or clinic.

Access to basic healthcare is one of the most challenging issues that low-income populations face. Community level intervention and health clinics offer services to local families at minimal or no cost. With the introduction of medical insurance in Ghana, attendance at these healthcare facilities has rocketed making additional support from volunteers indispensable.

Working on health projects offers a wonderful opportunity for our interns and volunteers to become familiar with the health challenges facing developing countries.

Working conditions are likely be quite different from those you are accustomed to. Medical equipment is often basic and the quantity and variety of medicines can be very limited.

Volunteers can help the centres by recording patient attendance, patient history, temperatures, performing patient examinations, providing pre-natal care, assisting in deliveries and educating patients and community groups on how to help prevent the diseases that most affect them.

People applying to be a health volunteer must be professionals in this field or alternatively students currently studying courses related to medicine, nursing or public health.

If you are planning to study medicine and want to gain some field experience, you can also apply for this position, although you must demonstrate strong commitment and competence.

Services provided by the local hospitals and clinics include the following;

• General health consulting
• Child welfare clinic
• Surgical care
• Family planning
• Nutritional care
• Cervix care
• Community psychiatric clinic
• Anti-natal and post-natal care
• Dental clinic

There are also eight satellite community clinics within our program which offer general health care. Most volunteers are likely to work within these centres. On arrival in Ghana and after orientation by the Health Directorate, volunteers are dispersed to work in the communities within which their peculiar interest lies and where their skills are most needed.

The Ghana Medical Volunteers (GMV) programme is a Volunteer Partnerships for West Africa (VPWA) project that promotes volunteerism to support health care development within Ghanaian communities. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. VPWA contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism within West Africa, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.

GMV is inspired by the conviction that volunteerism is a powerful means of engaging people in tackling development challenges within Africa. Everyone can contribute their time, skills and knowledge through volunteer action and their combined efforts can be a significant force for achieving peace and development.

Volunteering makes important economic and social contributions, contributing to a more cohesive society by building trust and reciprocity among citizens. It can be both challenging and rewarding and require you to use your skills in a new context. You can also transfer useful knowledge while gaining a greater understanding of the issues affecting other people.

• At least 18 years or older
• Good spoken and written English
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong commitment to values and principles of volunteerism
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
• Ability to adjust to difficult living and working conditions
• Strong support and advocate for NGOs
• Should be able to work independently and in teams
• Ability to respect and abide by the rules of the placement activity

Registration Fee (Non Refundable if you choose not to go)

• Application Review and processing
• Administration costs
• Visa Support letter
• 24/7 emergency support from VPWA
• Program marketing costs
• Pre-departure information
• Travel costs to VPWA programs
• VPWA Education & Health Fund and communication costs with volunteers

Program Fee

• Airport pick up
• Orientation
• Supervision
• Accommodation and evening meals during volunteer placement period
• In-country 24/7 volunteer support
• In-country administration costs

• Airfare to Ghana
• Visa Fees
• Vaccinations and immunizations (please speak to your local GP)
• Personal insurance (required)
• Personal spending
• In-country travel

Volunteers working on VPWA projects live in Greater Accra and Eastern Region. Please confirm your project location with our coordinator. Volunteers live in shared rooms with bunk beds. Couples are advised to inform us if they wish to share a room in advance. The rooms have comfortable beds with pillows and covers, so there is no need to bring sleeping bags. The volunteer apartment has a kitchen with fridge, as well as toilet and shower facilities.

• Basic TWI language orientation (Special Fees apply)
• Mobile phone SIM card number on arrival, so that you can inform family and friends of your number in Ghana
• Certificate of Recognition given to hardworking volunteers, as well as the opportunity to serve as VPWA ambassador in your city, college or community. You need to write a volunteer report covering the period of placement to qualify for the certificate which has the endorsed logo of the United Nations Global Compact.

Ghana is one of the safest countries in Africa. In the Global Peace Index it is ranked above both the United Kingdom and the United States of America. It provides a perfect introduction for first time volunteers to Africa. It has a democratic electoral process and a stable economy. Our team will ensure your health and safety at all times and you will have emergency support 24/7.

Volunteers must arrange their own flights to Accra Airport (ACC). Please be aware that you should communicate your arrival date and time to Volunteer Coordinator. The following airlines fly into Accra:

• Alitalia (Lagos, Rome-Fiumicino)
• British Airways (London-Heathrow)
• Delta Air Lines (New York-JFK)
• EgyptAir (Cairo)
• Emirates (Abidjan, Dubai)
• Ethiopian Airlines (Abidjan, Addis Ababa, Lagos, Lome)
• Ghana International Airlines (London-Gatwick, Dusseldorf)
• Kenya Airways (Nairobi, Freetown, Monrovia)
• KLM (Amsterdam)
• Lufthansa (Frankfurt, Lagos)
• South African Airways (Johannesburg)

You must obtain a volunteer visa for travel to Ghana. Once you have secured your place on the project and made a deposit we will send you a letter confirming your placement for use in your Visa application.