Volunteer in Ghana

Volunteer in Ghana with Atlas Volunteers and experience ethical, affordable programs in education, conservation, and community development. Whether you’re teaching in local schools, supporting reforestation, or helping protect endangered sea turtles, you’ll live and work alongside local teams while making a genuine impact.

Start dates: Every Sunday

Min. Age: 18+ (families welcome)

Arrival: Accra (ACC)

Price from: $158

Stay: Shared volunteer house

Support: 24/7 local team

Why Volunteer in Ghana?

Ghana is often called the gateway to West Africa, and for good reason! In addition, it’s friendly, culturally rich, and straightforward to navigate as a first-time volunteer. For example, English is widely spoken, transport is simple, and our local team can meet you on arrival. Moreover, placements focus on real community needs—education, conservation, and grassroots development—so your time creates visible outcomes. Meanwhile, weekends open up beaches, rainforests, and vibrant markets. As a result, you get both impact and immersion without feeling overwhelmed. Finally, round-the-clock support and a clear pre-departure pack make planning easy from day one.

Volunteer Programs in Ghana

Sustainable Development Goal 14 – Life Below Water
Sustainable Development Goal 17 – Partnerships for the Goals

Patrol beaches at Cape Three Points to protect nesting turtles. Relocate nests, support hatchery checks, run beach cleans and, if lucky, release hatchlings—hands-on conservation in a stunning tropical off-grid paradise.

📍 Cape Three Points • ⏳ From 1 week • 💲 From $189

Sustainable Development Goal 4 – Quality Education
Sustainable Development Goal 17 – Partnerships for the Goals

Boost learning in rural primary schools. Assist teachers with small-group reading, English and maths, prep simple resources, creative activities, and give one-to-one support that builds confidence in low-resource classrooms.

📍 Abetifi • ⏳ From 4 weeks • 💲 From $440

Sustainable Development Goal 13 – Climate Action
Sustainable Development Goal 15 – Life on Land

Help restore Ghana’s forest belt. For example; raise seedlings, plant native trees, water and mulch plots, map growth and optionally support school eco-lessons. Practical fieldwork that as a result, improves soils and captures carbon.

📍 Abetifi • ⏳ From 1 week • 💲 From $158

Sustainable Development Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-being
Sustainable Development Goal 4 – Quality Education

Share your love of sport in PE and after-school clubs. Coach football, netball and athletics, run simple drills and games, promote teamwork and fitness, and help more girls and boys get active, confident and included.

📍 Abetifi • ⏳ From 2 weeks • 💲 From $252

Sustainable Development Goal 1 – No Poverty

Work with smallholder families as a farm hand—bed prep, planting, weeding, composting and irrigation, plus help on market days. Learn low-input methods while easing labour bottlenecks and boosting household food and income.

📍 Abetifi • ⏳ From 1 week • 💲 From $158

Sustainable Development Goal 4 – Quality Education
Sustainable Development Goal 17 – Partnerships for the Goals

Support busy early-years classes with songs, stories and play. Help children practise letters, numbers and social skills, assist with routines and create a warm, encouraging space for confident first steps in learning.

📍 Abetifi • ⏳ From 4 weeks • 💲 From $440

Sustainable Development Goal 4 – Quality Education
Sustainable Development Goal 10 – Reduced Inequalities

Help upgrade schools. Join local builders on new school construction—mix mortar, lay blocks and keep sites tidy—or take a decorating path: sanding, patching, painting and bright murals that turn rooms into welcoming spaces.

📍 Abetifi • ⏳ From 1 weeks • 💲 From $158

Sustainable Development Goal 13 – Climate Action

Fight plastic waste with clean-ups, sorting and ecobrick making. Upcycle into benches or planters and deliver fun awareness sessions at schools and markets—reducing litter and inspiring everyday zero-waste habits.

📍 Abetifi • ⏳ From 1 week • 💲 From $158

Need guidance before applying?

Chat with our team for friendly, no-pressure advice about which program is right for you.

Where You’ll Be Based

Our volunteer programs in Ghana operate in two distinct regions. Explore each base for available projects and start days.

Volunteer in Cape Three Points

Remote coastal area known for pristine beaches and nesting turtles. Base for our Sea Turtle Conservation program with night patrols and beach clean-ups

Available Programs

Sea Turtle Conservation
(Late August to March only)

Start Days

Nesing Season – Every Sunday

Volunteer in Abetifi

Located on the Kwahu mountain plateau, our volunteers work across Abetifi whilst living in the quiet area of Aduamoah. Surrounded by forest views, the local bustling towns are just a short walk or taxi ride away.

Available Programs

Education, Environmental, Sports, Health & Community Development.

Start Days

Year Round – Every Sunday

Practical Information

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Safety & Support

Local coordinators, vetted partners and 24/7 support. In addition, we guide you through every step—from application to arrival.

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Visa & Vaccinations

In most cases, you will require a tourist visa and yellow fever vaccination. Detailed guidance is provided after acceptance.

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Eligibility & Requirements

18+ unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. In short, most roles don’t need specialist experience; however, some require background checks. Just bring positivity and work ethic.

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Fees overview

From $93 per week – transparent fees and exactly what’s covered. Options to suit all budgets and durations. Typically, weekly rates decrease on longer stays.

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Flights

Generally international visitors will fly into Kotoka Intl Airport in Accra. Once booked we can also help search for suitable flights.

Nearest Airports:

Abetifi – Kotoka International Airport
Cape Three Points – Takoradi Airport

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Travel Insurance

It’s mandatory for all volunteers to have an insurance policy in place before their arrival.

What’s Included (At a Glance)

What's Included In Our Programs

  • Accommodation in shared volunteer house/camps
  • In-country coordination & 24/7 support
  • Airport Collection (Abetifi)
  • Program orientation & Welcome breakfast
  • Contribution to projects and social funds
  • Local sim card or Wifi trial (Subject to availability)
  • Access to Volunteer Portal & Social Group

What's Not Included

  • Flights, Visa & Vaccination
  • Bathroom Amenities 
  • Meals & Water
  • Airport drop off
  • Wifi Access (Available at a cost)
  • Transport to project site (Abetifi)
Airport pickup/transfer: varies by program. Sea Turtle Conservation does not include airport collection due to its remote location—see program pages for exact inclusions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting started: eligibility & timing

Who can apply, when you can start, and typical stay lengths.

Minimum age is 18+. However, it is also possible for family volunteering with children accompanied by a parent or guardian.

You don’t need prior experience for entry-level roles; we provide orientation and daily support. Clinical or qualified options may ask about relevant studies/certifications. Couples and friends can often be placed together. Bring an open mind, good communication, and willingness to follow local guidance.

We also arrange family volunteering experiences where children under 18 can join accompanied by a parent or guardian.

If you’re unsure which placement fits, our advisors can match your skills and dates to the right program.

Start dates run most weeks year-round. Typically, the minimum stay is 1 week, and 4–8 weeks is most common. Moreover, longer stays reduce the weekly cost and deepen impact—some volunteers even stay up to a year. For peak months (Jun–Aug and Dec–Mar), book early; we’ll confirm availability for your dates and advise around holidays and local seasons.

Costs & what’s included

Weekly pricing, and exactly what your fee covers.

Pricing varies by program and duration. As a result, weekly rates decrease on longer stays. Moreover, there are no surprise fees—you can see totals before you apply. Ask us about discount periods and longer-stay value.

Your fee supports safe, structured placements. It typically covers airport pickup (Abetifi), local orientation, 24/7 support, accommodation and program coordination. Not included: international flights, visa, travel insurance, vaccinations and personal spending. Each program page lists exact inclusions so you know what to expect.

Entry & health essentials

Visa, vaccinations and practical travel admin.

Do I need a visa to volunteer in Ghana?
Generally, you will need to enter Ghana on a Tourist Visa. After you book, Atlas provides your, host information, references, invitation letter and step-by-step instructions.

Quick facts

  • Who needs it: Most nationalities (ECOWAS citizens are visa-exempt).

  • When to apply: 2–12 weeks before travel.

  • Where: Your nearest Ghanaian Embassy/High Commission.

  • Documents: Passport (6-month validity + 2 blank pages), form, photos, flight itinerary, Atlas invitation letter.

  • Processing time & cost: Varies by country; priority service often available.

  • At arrival: Carry your Yellow Fever certificate.

A Yellow Fever vaccination is generally required (checked on arrival). We recommend consulting a travel clinic 6–8 weeks before departure to review malaria prophylaxis and routine immunisations (e.g., Tetanus, MMR, Hep A). Recommendations depend on your health history and itinerary. We’ll share practical clinic contacts and guidance after acceptance. The vaccine office at the airport also offers the yellow fever vaccination for last minute bookings.

Travel insurance that covers medical care (as a minimum) is mandatory for all volunteers.You may wish to consider a comprehensive policy that also covers evacuation, theft and trip changes. Bring your policy details with you. We can provide a comparison checklist and partner options; choose a policy that covers your exact dates and planned activities.

Safety & on-the-ground support

How we look after you from arrival to departure.

Ghana is widely regarded as one of West Africa’s most welcoming countries. We provide airport pickup (Abetifi), a safety & culture briefing, vetted partners & accommodation, and 24/7 support. However, as with any travel, keep valuables secure, use registered transport, and follow staff advice. We continuously assess partners and placements for safety standards.

You’ll meet our local team on arrival and receive a welcome orientation. Afterward, a named coordinator supports you throughout your stay with regular check-ins. Additionally, a 24/7 contact is available for emergencies—so you’re never figuring things out alone.

Daily life: housing, meals & connectivity

Wi-Fi, SIM cards and day-to-day spending.

You’ll stay in shared volunteer houses near project sites. Meals aren’t included; houses are set up for self-catering with a communal kitchen. As a result, many volunteers cook together or try nearby vendors, and dietary needs are easy to manage. During orientation, we’ll show you where to buy groceries and essentials.

Most volunteer houses have Wi-Fi (at a cost). However, depending on availability, it may also be possible to purchase a local SIM (MTN/Vodafone) for calls—our team can help set it up.

Typical weekly spending for meals, data, local transport and small trips is $60–120, depending on lifestyle and excursions. Weekend travel and souvenirs are extra.

Not sure which program fits you?

Chat with our friendly advisors for guidance about locations, durations and what to expect.

Trusted by Volunteers & Partners

Atlas Volunteers’ projects in Ghana contribute directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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Ready to Volunteer in Ghana?

Take the first step toward an unforgettable volunteering journey with Atlas Volunteers.