A peaceful and welcoming country, Ghana satisfies one's appetite for both modern and traditional life, its wide valleys, low-lying coastal plains and thick rainforests resound with the beat of traditional rituals, while her cities glow and vibrate with all the bustle of the modern world. Ghanaians are the friendliest people in West Africa; warm, proud yet humble with a contagious sense of humour.

WORK PLACEMENT

With the support of the local authorities in the Central, Volta, Northern, Ashanti and the Greater Accra regions, we make every effort to find a suitable placement based on your qualifications and areas of interest - but we may not be able to meet all requests. We hope you are flexible and willing to turn your hand to whatever is required of you. We will not send you to work at a place where safety measures are not adequate. Your work location is most likely to be in or near a main regional town, but it is possible (rarely) that we find a placement in a more remote area.

AT WORK

You will work with Ghanaian counterparts who work on public services or community projects. Most Ghanaian employers and employees have high expectation of American and European participants. State your level of competency and weakness especially in the area of computer literacy when you start working.

DRESS CODE

Most workplaces have their own unique uniform. However, you are not obliged to wear it. Miniskirts,
T-shirts, provocative dresses and slippers are not tolerated in most Ghanaian workplaces.

BEHAVIOUR CODE

Smoking, drinking, spitting, caressing and kissing are frowned upon in many workplaces. Many employers are flexible as to punctuality - although you are advised not to over exploit this flexibility. Dereliction and socialising on the job are common features among Ghanaian workers but certainly not appreciated by the boss!

REMUNERATION

You will not be paid, so you will need to bring enough money to buy a few basic necessities and to pay for transport to and from work. (Some have buses that convey their workers at no cost.)

The two centuries of unadulterated tradition coupled with diversity of the distinct ethic group have created a rich culture that is the splendid legacy of new Ghana. To people of Ghana, the traditions of their ancestors are still an important part of their daily lives. Customary leaders have historical authority over tribal and family matters, and customary lands are an important hereditary. Rites and rituals mark important events in life.

Child naming, puberty initiation, marriage and death are marked by family ceremonies, while seasonal festivals bring people or clan together in a spectacular fashion. Festivals also recall past events and consecrate a new season with confidence and hope. The common features of Ghanaian religion are the belief in the Supreme Being and nearness of dead ancestors.