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Ghana, Africa's first independent former colony, is today a democracy that enjoys political stability and is known for being a safe, hassle-free, friendly destination for visitors.  This small, tropical country on the west coast of Africa is home to 23 million people who come from diverse ethnic groups and speak over 40 different African languages (alongside English, the official language).  Ghana provides visitors the opportunity to explore historic slave fords, shop in bustling colorful markets, wander through rainforests, view wildlife, and laze on palm lined beaches, all while enjoying the rich culture and welcoming hospitality of Ghana's people.

Cape Coast, set amongst beautiful beaches and home to Cape Coast Castle, previously one of the largest slave holding sites in the world, is a town steeped in history and contradictions.  In the 17th century, Cape Coast grew from a small fishing village to an important trading port and the center of West Africa's slave trade, later becoming the first capital of Britain's Gold Coast colony.  Today this vibrant town is capital of Ghana's Central Region and home to over 100,000 people and some of the country's leading academic institutions.

NGO Internship - Our individualized internships strive to match participant skills and interests with our community and NGO partners' self-determined development goals.  Onsite, you will live in Cape Coast or a nearby community, work with local partners, and receive extensive support from our international staff team and welcoming community partners.  Homestays, language study, and cultural/adventure excursions encourage participants' complete immersion and cultural integration into Ghanaian life.

Malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, diarrhea in young children, and poor sanitation are some of Ghana's leading health issues.  Recent government efforts have focused on Community Based Health Planning and Services, a new strategy to bring health closer to communities and those most in need.  Small community clinics and door to door outreach efforts now supplement the work of larger clinics and hospitals.

ProGhana health interns work in clinics and hospitals, take part in community outreach programs and collaborate with Ghana Health Services and local NGOs to promote health education and awareness, providing individuals and communities with the tools to prevent illnesses, access needed healthcare, and lead healthy lives.

Health projects in Ghana include

• HIV/AIDS and Health Education Support
  
• Clinical Medical Placements
  
• Community Health Outreach
  
• Environmental Health and Sanitation Project
  
• Malaria and TB Prevention
  

HIV/AIDS AND HEALTH EDUCATION SUPPORT

Project Description:
Bring much-needed health awareness and knowledge to communities who suffer poverty and ill health as a result of a lack of education. The project helps to serve the communities around Cape Coast through research, prevention and education. Leading public health issues include malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, malnutrition and poor sanitary conditions. This project, working with support groups and local clinics, aims to reduce these diseases through prevention, education, and effective outreach efforts in rural communities and provide support for victims of HIV and their families.

Role of the volunteer
Volunteers can take on a number of roles within this project. One role will focus upon one of the main issue areas, and you will be involved in compiling prevalence data, conducting surveys and evaluating impact of health initiatives. You will also need a good understanding of the main health issues as you will assist in community health education in the form of workshops, and provide education in schools. During outpatient visits you'll interact with rural communities about preventative measures. There will also be opportunities to be a part of medical missions to provide medication and health assistance. For those preferring to work in a support role, activities includes providing counseling, helping victims and their families with care and organizing income generating activities (such as craft workshops).


CLINICAL MEDICAL PLACEMENT
The project
This project is based in town hospitals in the Cape Coast, supporting doctors and nurses as they care for low-income patients. Level of work will vary depending on the volunteer's skill level and you will have the chance to observe various departments within the hospital. Due to the nature of many of the diseases there is a large emphasis on preventative education in relation to family planning and sex education as well as malaria and illnesses related to dysentery.

Role of the volunteer
Volunteers contribute to the hospital's efforts in a variety of ways, including observational work, triage task, taking vitals and anthropometric measurements, treating injuries, shadowing nurses and doctors, sitting in on surgeries, and cleaning and preparing instruments, taking blood and possibly minor surgical procedures. Tasks will depend on the volunteer’s experience but everyone will be expected to carry out some administrational  work. Volunteers may also perform other duties as needed, such as document translation and categorization of donated medications. Volunteers will help run preventative health care  workshops which are essential to the project for the health of the citizens and economically.

COMMUNITY HEALTH OUTREACH

The project
This community outreach project has only a handful of staff and a few volunteers to treat and educate the community on the realities of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Since many of the community members have become victims of these deadly diseases, the project has been working hard to teach methods of prevention. The project also spends time assisting in the local hospital taking care of patients. Volunteers also visit orphanages and mother-and-child centers to help with minor injuries, deworming of children and to give basic check-ups for problems large and small.

Role of the volunteer
Your role will be to assist in routine outreach clinics providing staff assistance, caring for patients and carrying out administrative work. Depending on your level of experience you will also be able to get involved with cleaning wounds, performing minor surgeries, and helping with routine medical check-ups. You will also be primarily involved in preventative and educational workshops, and also from time to time take part in medical missions, which may involve distribution of medical supplies or building sanitary bathrooms.

*NOTE A background in medicine, public health or another related health science is required. Volunteers will need to be prepared to see some difficult and sometimes disturbing health-related matters. This is a great project to really immerse in the community and get to know the people, and the difficult health burdens Ghana is facing. Orientation and project training included.


ENVIRONMENT PORTFOLIO IN GHANA
While Ghana is a country endowed with abundant natural resources, lack of past and present management of those resources has led to vast environmental degradation.  Deforestation, overgrazing, and periodic drought have led to desertification, and soil erosion.  Ghana's wildlife populations, depleted by habitat loss, have been further threatened by poaching.  Economic reform policies put into place in the 1980s, led to rapid industrialization and economic growth in Ghana but at a high expense to the environment.  Unsustainable agriculture practices, increased timber exports, and uncontrolled mining have taken their toll, contributing to vast deforestation, soil erosion, and rampant pollution.  Communities that previously dealt with almost entirely organic trash, now struggle with proper sanitation and waste management strategies.

ProGhana Environmental volunteers work to promote environmental awareness in local schools and communities.  They also support local community eco-tourism projects which provide an economic incentive to local community members to protect their natural resources and help to promote environmental awareness.
Environmental projects in Ghana include

• Environmental Education
• Eco-tourism
  

ENVIRONMENT HEALTH AND SANITATION AWARENESS PROJECT
The project
This project brings together the issues of health and hygiene with those of sanitation, pollution and the environment. Work to promote awareness of how these areas are interrelated and how they affect the locals in local schools and communities. The project aims to ensure that all segments of the population understand various diseases and how they are controlled, how sanitation and environmental pollution contributes to these and promote behavioral changes. Communities are taught to carry out sustainable practices with the surrounding environment to improve the health and economy of local citizens.
Role of the volunteer
Volunteers work with project leaders and others to create programs aimed at teaching adults and children to build awareness and also conducting activities to promote behavioral change. This involves teaching/lecturing, planning and implementing workshops, helping to put presentations together, and working with other activities such as tree planting, delivering medical supplies,  providing care to victims of disease, research and training.

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PORTFOLIO IN GHANA While the number of people living in poverty in Ghana has declined in recent years and the 80s and 90s saw vast industrialization and economic growth, inequality between the rich and poor and urban and rural areas has increased.  Cape Coast rests as the center of Ghana's small but growing tourism industry and is home to some of the finest academic institutions in Ghana, yet the people of Cape Coast and the surrounding communities have seen little gain from this.  Job opportunities remain limited and many local children do not receive high enough marks to take advantage of nearby higher education opportunities.

ProGhana Social and Economic Development Interns work on a variety of projects including education and youth development, construction, small business support, capacity building and community empowerment.

• Construction
• Education and Youth Development
• Small Business Support and Marketing
• Capacity Building
• Community Empowerment
  

Excursions
While many weekends are left free for independent travel and exploration, on select weekends ProGhana offers cultural visits to local area attractions as well as the opportunity during the week to take part in local language classes and cultural workshops.  Based on duration of program, excursions and activities may include:

• Visiting Cape Coast and Elmina Castles
• Fante language classes
• Participating in remote community cultural events and celebrations
• Short term weekend development projects
  

During free weekends, volunteers can plan their own adventures.
When you're ready, apply at www.myproworld.org/apply