World Unite! in Ghana

Ghana is a country in West Africa. Akwaaba! in Ashanti means "Welcome!" and is probably the word that you will hear most in Ghana, as the people of Ghana are extraordinarily welcoming.

While the north of Ghana is a rather sparsely populated savanna landscape, the south is more densely populated and humid. There are numerous rivers, lakes, waterfalls and tropical rain forests. The south’s fertile soils are used for agriculture such as the cultivation of cocoa, and the south is also rich in natural resources such as gold, diamonds and gas.

Ghana has a rich history. Since the 11th century, the territory which nowadays is Ghana, was home to relatively well developed kingdoms such as the Ashanti Empire, which were trading with gold and were building cities. The gold trade with the Portuguese and Dutch started in the 15th century. Along the 560 kms of the "Gold Coast" in the south, numerous castles, forts and ports can be found, which were built by the Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, Germans and British for trade and colonialism. In 1957, Ghana was the first African country to achieve independence from Great Britain.

The sandy beaches along the coast are a tropical paradise. Besides many Ghanaians they also attract around half a million foreign tourists per year, who also visit the country because of its historical and cultural heritage, and to do a safari.

During recent years, Ghana achieved strong economic growth and is nowadays classified as an emerging country. Besides tourism, agriculture and the exploitation of natural resources, Ghana focuses on high technology such as the manufacturing of electronic products, car and ship building, and communication and information technology. The urban areas are relatively well developed in terms of access to education, medical care, accommodation and labour markets.

Our main locations in Ghana are the historic port city of Cape Coast, the capital, Accra and the Kakum National park.

You fly to Accra Kokata International Airport (ACC).

Ghana is considered to be a safe country . Even as a woman alone, there is no increased security risk, if you follow some basic rules. The official language is English.

Locations in Ghana

Cape Coast

Cape Coast is a city of about 170,000 inhabitants, on the coast south of Ghana. It is relatively easy to find your way through the city and public transport is cheap and good; this makes the city an attractive location for volunteering and internships. There are tropical beaches and locations for excursions, such as Kakum National Park. Cape Coast has a humid-tropical climate with nearly identical temperatures all year around, of about 30 degrees. May and June see the rainy season.

Our coordinators in Cape Coast

Our coordinators in Cape Coast are Sampson and Paschal, who collaborate with other team employees.

Accra

Mit 4 Millionen Einwohner inklusive der Metroregion ist Accra die größte Stadt Ghanas.

Kakum National Park

Kakum National park

The 375 square km Kakum National Park lies 33 kilometers north of Cape Coast and is covered by the tropical rainforest.

Since 1992, the forest area has had the status of a national park. The endangered Mona monkeys live here, as well as Diana monkeys, African Forest Elephants (a smaller subspecies of the African elephant), bongo antelopes, Buffalo, civets and 56 species of birds. 105 plant species have been described.

Unique to Africa is the 330-meter-long tour across suspension bridges between the 45 meter high treetops of the forest, which provides a view of the rainforest from a perspective that is uncommon for humans.
The park is managed by the Wildlife Department of Ghana, and is now one of the main tourist attractions of Ghana.

Activities in Ghana

Internship & Volunteering

In Cape Coast, we offer a wide range of voluntary work and internships in the areas of Welfare, education, medicine, nursing and psychology . At various sites of tourist interest, there are internships in Hotels . In Accra, we have internships in the areas of media (TV, radio, journalism), IT and medicine. In Kakum National Park, there are internships and volunteering in Environment/Biology.

You can find all the activities in Ghana in the main menu above or using our Activity Finder.

World Learner

In Ghana you can teach English and learn Akan, Fante and Twi, as well as learn traditional and modern East African dances. These activities can also be combined with your internship and volunteering project.

You can find the World Learner options in Ghana in the main menu above or through the Activity Finder.

Academics

Theses Abroad are possible in Ghana, in a variety of subject areas, where we can assist you because of our good connections with NGOs, government and private institutions. For the same reason, and because we are, at the same time logistical service providers (transport, accommodation, guides), we are the ideal partner for Group Study Tours and Special Interest Programs in Ghana.

Discovering The Land

Almost all of our participants travel around to get to know their host country, Ghana. We organize regular trips across the country.

Stingless Bee - Research and Ecotourism

The International Stingless Bee Centre operates in cooperation with the University of Cape Coast, and is a research, training and tourist center on stingless bees (Melaponini). It is a tourist attraction adjacent to the entrance of Kakum National Park.

Project Details

Near the entrance of the Kakum National Park is the International Stingless Bee Centre, a research, education and visitor center about stingless bees (Melaponini).

Within the immediate vicinity of the rain forest, the Center keeps four species of Meliponini and educates local bee keepers, tourists, school groups and others interested about the specifics, lifestyle and the use of stingless bees by man.

Students of biology, social geography, (eco)–Tourism, regional development, marketing and (amateur) beekeepers can participate in the research, training of local beekeepers and making the center more attractive for tourists.

The stingless bees do not live together with other bee species; Stingless bees are at the same time the largest and the smallest among the 370 species of bees existing. Stingless bees are only found in tropical and subtropical regions. The species raised in the Stingless Bee Centre are Dactylurina, Meliponula buchandii, Hypotrigona and Meliponula ferriginia.

The bees provide three products: honey, pollen and propolis. The honey of stingless bees is considered to be of higher nutritional value than the honey of bees with stings, as in the absence of a sting, these bees developed more powerful jaws and can therefore metabolise a higher amount of herbal material. This claim however, is not scientifically proven. Propolis is resin with which bee hives are sealed. It has antimicrobial, antiviral and antifungal properties. The center trains the rural population in the Kakum area environmentally friendly means to earn an income by raising stingless bees, and in the production and sales of the products.

Interns and volunteers from relevant disciplines can support bee research by studying the behavior of stingless bees and their importance to the people and nature; offer courses and pedagogical approaches for education work in the communities and amongst bee keepers. The center emphasizes intensive exchange of knowledge and is open to new ideas.

The center was founded in 2005, by entomologist Prof. Peter Kwapong, who teaches at the Department of Entomology and Wildlife in the University of Cape Coast. It is possible for students of biology to do research and thesis with him (See "Academix- Theses abroad”. For his research at the International Stingless Bee Centre, Pro. Kwaping was awarded the British Council Award for the Most Effective Ambassador of UK Education and the Cape Coast Award for Innovation and Creativity.

The center showcases several natural and man-made beehives for the benefit of visitors. In addition, there is a forest tour, where they are shown the native plants whose continued existence depends on bee pollination. In a small shop, the products of bees, as well as literature about them are sold.

A focal point for students of tourism development or marketing/business, would be to increase awareness of the center among tourists and locals, improve visitor experience and promote the sale of bee products.

Info Box

Location: Kakum, Ghana
Availability: All year, Start date flexible
Minimum Duration: 1 Week
Maximum Duration: 12 Months
Language Requirements: English
Accommodation:
Host family in Kakum

Supervision Possible: Yes
Qualification Of Supervisor: Biologist, Professor of Entomology
Minimum Qualification Of Intern: None
Further Contribution To Project: None

Volunteering Possible: Yes
Required Qualification For Volunteer: Relevant technical knowledge
Further Contribution To Project: None
Expectations:
Professional Conduct, Do you have the "right" attitude?

Accommodation

Accommodation in Kakum

Host Family:

In walking distance to the visitor center and entrance of Kakum National Park, there is a settlement with houses for the employees of the National Park. There you have a single room in the house of a family (two people can share the too if possible). The elders in the family work in the administration of the National Park.

Rate

I. World Unite! Service Package

Mobile/Cell Phone Users: If you don't see the rates for your desired duration of stay, hide other (shorter) durations of stay.

		up to 31 Days	32-60 Days	61-90 Days	91-120 Days	5 Months or longer
	1 Person	450 EUR	600 EUR	700 EUR	750 EUR	850 EUR
	2-4 Persons (Rate per Person)	400 EUR	500 EUR	600 EUR	650 EUR	700 EUR

Convert rates to USD, GBP, CAD, AUD and other currencies

The World Unite! Service Package includes:

Individual Consultation and Preparation prior to your arrival
Access to the World Unite! Online Resource Centre which has Preparation Materials including Intercultural Preparation, compiled particularly for your destination (PDFs, Videos)
Preparation Session via Skype, together with further participants
Arrangements of the Documents you need for your Visa Application and (if needed) assistance with extension of the visa in Ghana, but not the official government fees for it (See costs below)
Pick-up and Transfers from/to Accra (ACC) on arrival and departure
Personal support staff at your location and at our international office
Orientation and Introduction in Cape Coast
Accompanying you to your placement on your first day
24 Hours emergency support by local support team
50 USD Contribution to your project
Local SIM Card with 10 USD air time
Issuance of Confirmations/Certificates for your university, scholarship, insurance, etc. and filling out/signing Internship Contracts for your university

The Rates do NOT include:

Accommodation and Meals (see below)
Travel to/from Ghana (you book it on your own; we can assist you)
Official fees for Visa (see below)
Insurance (Travel Health Insurance, Liability Insurance, Travel Cancellation insurance; you book it on your own, we can assist you)
Personal Expenses
Vaccinations
Local Transport (Estimated amounts see below)
Please note that for supervised/mentored internships, some organizations charge further contributions. You find this information in the "Info Box" below the respective internship description.

II. Accommodation Costs

You can choose between the following options:

Mobile/Cell Phone Users: If you don't see the rates for your desired duration of stay, hide other (shorter) durations of stay.

Rates in US-Dollar! Convert Currency		Short-time stay (1-31 Days)	Long-time stay (32-365 Days) (You pay proportionally per day)
Host Family
Host Family of Middle Standard on Full Board	1 Person (Single Room)	10 USD/Day	250 USD/Month
Host Family of Middle Standard on Full Board	2 Persons p.p. (Double/Twin Room)	10 USD/Day	250 USD/Month

For incomplete months you will pay the exact amount proportionally per day.
In case of 3-4 person: Same rate as in case of 2 Persons. 5 or more persons: Contact us for group rates.

Overview of other costs:

Visa typically 100 EUR/110 USD for 30 days, which can be extended locally for around 10 EUR/13 USD per extra month (Visa needs to be applied for prior to your trip)
If meals are not included: around 80-140 USD/Month for self-catering (eating out at affordable yet good restaurants and/or cooking by yourself; you are much more flexible in this way compared to if we would serve food at your accommodation)
Small local expenses (e.g. Internet, local transport): around 30-50 USD/Month (Estimate)
Insurances around 30-50 USD/Month

How do I pay?

Once all your questions have been answered and you confirm that you want to participate, we will email you an invoice. You can pay it via bank transfer, credit card or via Paypal. You will pay a deposit of 200 EUR / 250 USD when the invoice is issued. One months prior to your arrival you will pay the remainder for your Service Package.

The payment modalities for rent and possible further costs (e.g. internship supervision fees, as stated in info box of the respective project description) depend on your host country and placement. We will inform you beforehand. In many cases these costs are paid on site, but for some countries and placements they need to be paid partially or fully in advance.

Extras

Other Projects That Might Interest You:

These projects are suggestions for alternatives that may interest you or those that could be chosen as COMBINATIONS. The combination of projects in different organizations is often possible and usually cheaper than two individual bookings. Please contact us to know more! Check out our other listings in the areas of "World Learner" and "Active Travel" at your travel destination to make your stay even more interesting.

Travel Health Insurance

We recommend the following travel insurance that is meant specifically for participants of internships, volunteering, language study, working holiday, and courses abroad. It is available for travelers of all nationalities and usable for all countries, except your home country. You can also add a journey liability insurance.

Just click on the link, fill in the form and you will get a confirmation email.