Ghana is situated in West Africa and is bounded by Burkina Faso, Togo, the Atlantic Ocean and Côte d'Ivoire. A narrow grassy plain stretches inland from the coast, widening in the east, while the south and west are covered by dense rainforest. To the north are forested hills beyond which is dry savannah and open woodland. Ghana's coastline is dotted with sandy palm-fringed beaches and lagoons. The capital, Accra, features the Makola Market, a large and busy open-air market. Kumasi is the historic capital of the Ashanti civilization, where ruins of the Manhyia Palace and the Royal Mausoleum burnt down by Lord Baden-Powell may be examined. In the northeast, the Boufom Wildlife Sanctuary contains the spectacular Banfabiri Falls. Mole National Park is recommended. Species of antelope, monkeys, lions and elephants can all be seen on guided excursions. Local dishes include traditional soups (palmnut, groundnut), Kontomere and Okro stews that are normally accompanied by fufu (pounded cassava), kenkey or gari. In Accra and other major centers there are nightclubs combining a selection of Western pop music and spectacular Ghanaian music and dancing. In other words, you can surf, explore the jungle, catch butterflies or watch elephants. so many options. If you are new to the continent, Ghana is a perfect introduction to Africa.

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Why Does Ghana Need Volunteers?

Ghana has one of sub-Saharan Africa's best shots at success for its populace to escape from poverty on a wide-scale. It is largely free of the civil conflict that plagues many other African nations and has multi-party democracy where the power shifts peacefully from President to President. However, Ghana's current reality of disease, poor infrastructure, and lack of education has created a cycle of poverty, with living standards increasing only slightly over the past few decades.

Seventy per cent of the Ghana's poor live in rural areas, where they have limited access to dependable infrastructure, including all year roads, basic social services, potable water, electricity and telephones. The people of Ghana are industrious and cope in many ways, from localized trading to reducing spending, which unfortunately can include taking children out of school.

Women, the elderly and the ill are among the most afflicted by poverty in Ghana. More than 50% of single mothers in rural areas are among the poorest 20% of the population. Women work almost twice as many hours as men, spend about three times as many hours transporting water and goods, and transport about four times as much in volume. Yet they are much less likely than men to receive education or health benefits or have a voice in decisions affecting their lives. For them, poverty means high numbers of infant deaths, undernourished families, and little educational opportunities for their children. Among the elderly and chronically ill, including many people suffering from AIDS, many have no means of support or have spent all their money paying for their medical costs.

Success and true change will not happen overnight and Ghana requires as much support as it can get. By participating in any of one of Volunteer Visions programs, by teaching, working with the healthcare system in an HIV/AIDS home or orphanage you become part of the difference.

Volunteer Projects in Ghana