As a volunteer in Ghana, you'll find a unique richness everywhere you look, from the country's cultural history to its varied expanses of wilderness and coastline. Known for its exceptionally warm national character, Ghana, meaning "Warrior King," is a place where visitors are welcomed as friends. In the Volta Region, home to the Ewe people, you will become family. Become a CCS Ghana volunteer and experience firsthand the culture and tradition of a place that you've only ever dreamed of.
...a place where visitors are welcomed as friends...
The ever-growing population of the Volta Region has resulted in a notable strain on vital social resources. In recent years, many advances have been made to improve healthcare, hygiene, and education. However, malnutrition, disease, and the large economic divide between well-paid workers and low-paid workers have all posed significant obstacles to Ghana's progress. As a volunteer in Ghana, you'll have an opportunity to effect real social change in a community dealing with all of the growing pains experienced by a region in flux.
Volunteer in Ghana and improve education for children, assist with the care of infants and children, improve the quality of care for people with disabilities, or support those affected by HIV/AIDS. As a CCS Ghana volunteer, you'll become an instant part of a warm and welcoming community as you work alongside local individuals in order to address some of their most pressing social issues.
Each volunteer does their part in small and large ways working side-by-side with community members to contribute to effecting change in the following areas of work…
Get to know your new home away from home on a CCS staff-guided walking tour of Hohoe. Staff will be sure to call out all points of interest including silversmiths, money exchange sites, ice cream shops, and internet cafes. The tour ends at the weekly outdoor market where you'll catch your first glimpse of the ubiquitous handmade batik fabrics. Purchase some eye-catching fabric to bring over to the local seamstress and she will inexpensively transform it into a one of a kind souvenir.
photo credit: noramorganAlthough English is Ghana's official language, you’ll still have the opportunity to learn Ewe, the mother tongue of Ghana's Volta Region and neighboring Togo as well. After just one round of biweekly classes held at your Home-Base, you’ll be ready to greet your new neighbors in the local language.
During your first week in Ghana, you and your fellow volunteers will gather in the Home-Base courtyard to be formally welcomed to the community. This colorful welcome is presented by a traditional drumming and dancing troupe made up of local children and teens. After the performance, they're likely to pull you into their dance circles, so don't be shy! Jump in there and learn some moves to take back home.
Cool off in the swimming hole at the foot of the Wli Waterfall, the highest waterfall in West Africa. CCS staff will drive you to the entrance of the falls where you'll have plenty of time to snap some photos of the rainbows forming in the mist and paddle out and experience the refreshing spray of the falls up close. After drying off, you'll stop by one of the best souvenir spots in Ghana for a chance to buy wood carvings and batik clothes directly from the artisans who crafted them.
See what life is like in a very rural Ghanaian village -- think 150 people living in traditional mud huts -- at the Tafi-Atome Monkey Sanctuary. Monkeys live in harmony with local people and are considered the sacred vessels of ancestral spirits. The monkeys are very friendly and love playing and posing for photos with volunteers, especially when there’s a banana in it for them, so come prepared.
photo credit: noramorganGhanaian folklore isn’t a strictly oral tradition; it’s conveyed through traditional “adinkra” symbols as well. You’ll quickly begin to notice adinkra in pottery, wood work, business logos, and fabrics. Visit a local seamstress to learn about these symbols, as well as the traditional batik process for fabric dyeing. Make your own batik handkerchief as a small but meaningful keepsake of all you've learned and seen.
You didn't realize Ghana has rainforests? Surprise! Explore Ghana’s most accessible animal haven, Kakum National Park. Scale the treetops on Ghana’s only canopy tour and keep your eyes peeled for monkeys and birds. For an extra dose of adventure, and perhaps even a super-rare glimpse of an elephant, camp out in one of the tree houses scattered throughout the park.
You'll tour the corridors of one of the oldest remaining forts from the slave trade era, visiting holding quarters, and peering through windows of solitary isolation cells. An eye-opening cultural experience, this historical landmark town is not to be missed. For all visitors, and especially those who trace their lineage through West Africa, the experience is filled with meaning and emotion.
If you find yourself missing the niceties of urban life, Accra is the place! Ghana’s capital city provides a striking contrast to Hohoe’s small-town feel. Slip into the air conditioned mall for a movie or a snack from the food court, and find yourself surrounded by hip young urbanites clad in leather pants and high heels. For a bit of culture, explore Accra's museums or wander through one of the outdoor weekend markets.
One of the world's largest man-made lakes Lake Volta, dominates the landscape of eastern Ghana at over 3,000 square miles. Go boating and watch as fishermen tow in the day's catch. Check out some of the recreational facilities lining Volta's shores, including a bead factory where you can see how beads are made and craft some beaded creations of your own.
In a small town like Hohoe, every day brings a new opportunity to engage with local people. Practice your Ewe language skills by greeting new neighbors, and don’t be afraid to accept a friendly dinner invitation from a new friend. After dinner, hail down a Fan Ice bicyclist to buy some ice cream treats, or get a coffee from a man vending from his cart. Next, make your way to a local watering hole to sip a cold drink and huddle around a televised soccer game with new friends.
The present day Volta Region of Ghana, along with neighboring Togo, was once part of a large German protectorate called "Togoland." While the area was divided by post-WWI arbitration, eastern Ghanaians and Togolese still share the same heritage, culture, and language, and many local people travel across borders to visit friends and relatives. Once you've found your way around Ghana's Volta Region, cross the border to Togo for an international experience with a familiar feel.
Reserve your spot today with a deposit of just $275!
