Hospitals, Community Clinics and Family Planning Centres lack the most basic material and human resources: doctor to patient ratio is 1:32,000, the health professional training is inadequate, and there are no key specialists such as paediatricians, gynaecologists, general surgeons etc. Material resources in these institutions are extremely basic.

As a health professional, you could be sharing your expertise, treating patients, training local staff, and in general improving the service to the population. Hospitals benefit greatly from the work of teams of volunteer doctors/nurses, specialists in the above mentioned areas and others.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROGRAMMES:
Placement period is between two weeks and six months, renewable.
The prospective volunteer must be fluent in English, and have the necessary diploma/s or be engaged in studies in the fields chosen (to volunteer as a nurse, doctor, midwife, etc.)
You can choose the setting of your placement, rural or urban area.
Volunteers will organize their own transport in and out of Ghana, as well as visa procedures at Ghana Embassies in the respective countries of origin.

VOLUNTEERING PROGRAMME FEES
1st Month US$350
After the first month, the charge will be of $300 per month, so if you stay:
2 Months, the total fee would be $650
3 Months, $950
4 Months, $1250
5 Months, $1550
6 Months, $1850

The fees cover the following costs: airport pick-up, accommodation and meals prior and at your placement, transportation to host institution and supervision throughout your placement; inspection tour of prospective host institutions, communication (telephone/ email), staff allowances, an additional amount of $20-$40 a week should be enough to cater for all other expenses.

Accommodation and meals will be provided by the host institution or host family. ** Costs incurred while touring will be covered by you.

Your expenditures: Mineral water: 0.5 litre sachets will cost you 5 pesewas, that is 5 cents approx., a bottle of beer will cost you 1,20 Ghana cedis- around $1,20-, continental food prices go from $2-$3. Local foods such as fufu, banku, Kenkey, are cheaper. Transport within town is mainly by small mini buses seating about 16 passengers and taxis. Fares on minibuses are very low: less than $0.50 per hour and a hour's ride on a taxi costs about $4.
1 Ghana cedi is approx. $1, that is £0.50.
We advise you to bring cash for your own expenses, and change it at one of many forex bureaus; travellers' cheques and visa cards are accepted but only in Accra, Kumasi or other major urban centres.

Most institutions start work at 08.00 hrs and close at 15.00 hrs or 17.00 hrs GMT, depending on the type of institution.

Please be sure to read our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more.