VPWA has established an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) training centre to enable us to share skills and expertise with the youth of Damang and surrounding areas. The centre helps young people with additional skills, providing a new opportunity of learning and advancing their future prospects.

Volunteers with skills to conduct various training modules are welcome. Please discuss what area you can train young people in and the rest will be handled by our ground team.

This project is a three phase plan designed to help bring low-cost Information and Communications Technology (ICT) training and services to communities throughout Ghana.

Phase one will be the construction of a low cost IT centre in Damang Anhuntem near Nsawam in Eastern Region of Ghana

During phase two we shall conduct research to evaluate the results of the centre and the possibility of constructing similar models in Pokuase, within the GA West Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, as well as in a further three more regions in other parts of Ghana and West Africa.

If the centre is deemed beneficial, phase three will see it rolled out to other communities that lack ICT training services throughout Ghana and West Africa

Why is this project important?

Developing a model for a low cost ICT centre aimed at rural and peri-urban areas in Ghana is a necessity in helping the country develop, achieve a middle income status and meet the Millennium Development Goals.

Access to computers and the internet brings a wealth of opportunities for communities, the benefits of which have been seen in other developing countries. The VPWA would set up these ICT centres with a focus on building local ICT skills to ensure their sustainability.

The Ghanaian government has identified the development of ICTs as an important means to build national competitive advantage and is promoting a number of national strategies to support computer training across the country. However, this government initiative risks leaving some Ghanaians behind. Outside of major urban areas, ICT training remains hard to come by and there is a significant lack of low-cost IT training programs that are accessible to the less well-off.

Whilst there are some ITC centres offering simple services (internet cafes), they do not focus much beyond simple computer use. There is an opportunity for community ICT centres proposed by VPWA to offer an innovative programme of training aimed at addressing the needs and advancing computer skills within poorer communities.

The challenge with ICT centres is to design them and the training they offer in a way that will deliver positive outcomes in terms of community development so that they can be replicated at low cost elsewhere. Because ICT is a means to improved development, and not a goal we need to ensure this project is sustainable and can be replicated elsewhere. It is therefore important that this project;
has a low set-up cost borne by the centre (therefore the centre will not have to charge large fees to recoup the initial investment) provides an innovative training programme that benefits the poor
has a cost structure for services that is based on a pay-what-you-can principle so all can have access to the services of the centre uses local skills to build and maintain the ICT centre long after the implementing company/organisation has departed

The goal of the project is to create a replicable ICT centre model which can be used throughout Ghana and West Africa.

• 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.