Ghana, historically overlooked in international tourism, has emerged as a leading eco and ethical travel destination. Recognised for its safety, stability and rich cultural heritage, including the Ashanti Kingdom, the country is now endorsed by prestigious organisations like Lonely Planet and National Geographic. Our community hub in the coastal village of Kokrobite provides a secure and well-equipped base for an ethical and meaningful volunteer experience. 

Integrated development

In Kokrobite, GVI is dedicated to boosting local capabilities in education, social welfare, public health, gender equality and environmental care. We tackle challenges like misinformation, economic difficulties and missed opportunities, aiming for positive outcomes driven by the local community. GVI Ghana provides support, particularly for girls, young women and children, with the goal of breaking cycles of poverty and creating sustainable solutions.

Our efforts contribute towards all 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, driving the international development agenda and shaping a brighter future for Kokrobite’s community.

A multifaceted development strategy

We tailor our programs in Kokrobite by understanding its needs through close collaboration with our local partner organisations. Our programs tackle various challenges, including:

• Quality education: enhancing teaching methods and providing individual student support.
• Physical and mental health: offering health workshops, promoting holistic self-care and addressing gendered health challenges.
• Gender equality and empowerment: empowering girls and young women, challenging societal norms and fostering inclusivity.
• Economic empowerment: focusing on STEM and technology training to increase workforce participation and break poverty cycles.
• Environmental awareness: promoting environmental responsibility and sustainable community management.

Participant involvement

From our community hub in Kokrobite, we offer a range of programs, including volunteering, internships and professional apprenticeships. Our volunteers, interns and apprentices play a vital role, gaining experiences that contribute significantly to our initiatives. Participants develop cross-cultural communication skills, a broad understanding of global competencies, and practical skills essential for personal and professional growth. 

Broadening impact through varied projects

Regardless of your main program, we encourage participants to explore projects outside their primary focus. This flexibility allows engagement in projects aligned with personal interests or current community priorities, ensuring a comprehensive experience. Our initiatives cover diverse areas such as gender equality, social justice, STEM/Tech education, early-years education, student mentoring, healthcare awareness and environmental capacity building. We oversee approximately 50 projects throughout the year, making sure our impact is well-rounded.

A collaborative network for change

Our stakeholders and partners include local leaders, educational and healthcare institutions, NGOs and governmental authorities. We focus on empowering young girls and children facing socio-economic challenges, promoting gender equity, health, leadership and inclusivity for comprehensive community development.

Free time

In your free time, take a walk around a nearby market to try on kente garments, known by the people of Ghana as “the cloth of kings”, or browse the bead and jewellery stalls. You can also explore the forts from the colonial era or sample Ghanaian delicacies like freshly roasted plantains, while enjoying the rhythms of local musicians and basking in the sun.

Located on the vibrant outskirts of Accra, Kokrobite is more than its golden beaches that have long attracted locals. It’s a cultural hub brimming with arts, crafts and music, eager to welcome international visitors. Unlike typical tourist locations, Kokrobite is a traditional fishing community transitioning into the modern economy. Here we work with various stakeholders including governmental organisations, local NGOs, schools, and young women’s and girl’s groups to create a platform for international volunteers to contribute to local sustainable development projects that assist these organisations to achieve their goals. 

Participants live and work from our community hub in Kokrobite. Depending on the program, you will have the opportunity to assist with classroom management and early years education development in local schools, work on gender equality initiatives for girls or contribute to global public health programs.

Weekends in Ghana

While our primary focus is on community projects, weekends offer opportunities to experience Ghana’s rich culture. From Kokrobite’s fishing roots and beaches to Ghana’s diverse landscapes and vibrant music scene (including it being the birthplace of the now internationally celebrated Afrobeats genre) there are ample experiences to create lasting memories. Ghana’s historical significance, including its role in the global economy and the transatlantic slave trade, offers some of the most profound insights into the resilience and generosity of the Ghanaian people.

Ready to join us? Find out more about this exciting volunteering destination by chatting to one of our enrolment managers.

Ethical approach and core values

GVI operates with integrity, transparency, compassion and trust, collaborating for sustainable impact. We adapt and measure our efforts against the United Nations SDG framework of international standards, ensuring effectiveness and sustainability. 

Across all our work, we follow the lead of local organisations deeply rooted in the community. Our on-the-ground team members actively monitor and uphold ethical standards and practices, emphasising an ongoing commitment to maintaining inclusivity and equity in our work.

• All GVI programs and staff adhere to our ten ethical commitments and five human empowerment principles. Our badge of ethics reflects our pledge to continuously reflect on and improve our policies and practices. All staff and participants undergo a pre-arrival police background check, and on-site child protection training is given upon arrival. Our dedication to child safety extends to cyber and real-world threats, ensuring our marketing aligns with best practices in child protection.
• GVI does not support orphanage volunteering. For more information see our stance on orphanage volunteering. Staff and participants undergo pre-arrival police checks, and on-site child protection training is provided. We also protect children from cyber and real-world threats by ensuring our marketing follows child protection best practices. 
• You can read about the work we’ve done with the help of volunteers like you in our Impact and Ethics Report. 
• GVI is a British Standards 8848 compliant provider.

Who can volunteer in Ghana?

You can! Across the GVI volunteer programs, we welcome anyone over 18 (including college students and gap year students), people on a career break and older adults. 

Is there an age limit for participants?

While there’s no maximum age for volunteers, if you’re under 18 and want to volunteer, we offer a wide selection of teen volunteer programs all over the world. You can find more information here. Please be aware that participants should be capable of walking for up to 30 minutes in warm temperatures.

Do I need any special skills or qualifications to volunteer in Ghana? 

We don’t require any pre-existing qualifications or certifications. We provide on-the-ground training for certain activities and you’ll have 24/7 support from the team. 

Is it safe to volunteer in Ghana?

GVI puts safety first in all of our volunteer and intern activities. We take every precaution to make sure our participants feel comfortable and safe in their work and living arrangements, no matter where they are in the world. Our trained support staff are available 24/7 to ensure that all participants are well taken care of.

You can speak directly to one of our enrolment officers or alumni, who can answer any and all questions you might have about life in Ghana and on GVI’s community hub. 

What is the accommodation like?

You’ll stay in a house built for our participants, just a two-minute walk from the beach in a peaceful area of Kokrobite. The house features shared gender-specific dorms (2-8 people per dorm) with en-suite or shared bathrooms. Additionally, there’s a fully equipped kitchen, office, and an outdoor dining/meeting area amidst a beautiful garden.

Are accommodation upgrades available?

You can upgrade your stay with double rooms in a family guesthouse or a nearby motel-style establishment, just a 2-minute walk from our base. For a more luxurious experience, you can also choose modern 5-star furnished apartments, a 6-minute taxi ride away.

Who will I work with?

You will work alongside GVI volunteers of all ages, from all over the world. This is an opportunity to meet people from a range of backgrounds. Our team of GVI staff will be there to guide volunteers throughout their time on our programs. On community-based projects, volunteers work closely with local community members.

I’m interested. What are the next steps? 

We can’t wait to meet you! Click here to enquire or apply. One of our trusty enrolment officers will take it from there.