Quick facts
- Ghana has a population of over 23 million people.
- The official language of Ghana is English along with other African languages.
- Ghana is the first sub-Saharan country to gain its independence from Britain in 1957.
- Gold and cocoa are considered a mainstay of economy in Ghana.
- The currency used in Ghana is called Cedi.
- Ghana has a substantial freedom of media; as the private press functions with no restrictions.
- The capital city of Ghana is Accra.
- Ghana is divided into small groups that together speak more than 50 languages.
- Ghana borders with Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Togo.
Welcoming Spirit
Translated literally as ‘Warrior King’, Ghana’s name might lead you to believe that it is an unfriendly, bellicose country. But you could not be more wrong… In fact, Ghana is well known for its extremely friendly and welcoming national spirit.
Ghana is the sort of place where bustling cities, such as Accra and Kumasi, are only a short way away from the country’s beautifully untouched rainforest in Kakum National Park, or to the huge forested region of Ashanti-Kwahu in the North. East Ghana – home to the Volta Basin region – is a real tourist haven, where you can gaze in awe at the world’s largest man-made lake, Lake Volta. Aside from these key visitor destinations, there is more than enough to keep travellers interested in the many national parks, waterfalls and safaris dotted all over the country.
On the whole Ghanaians are very traditional and take pride in their customs, particularly when it comes to craftwork. Although English is widely spoken and understood, many people belong to different tribes, which each have their own individual language. Ghanaians are often said to be “as warm as Ghana’s climate”, so if you stay with a host family, be prepared to be very well-looked after! This ethos is certainly reflected in the country’s crime rates, which are some of the lowest in Western Africa.
Why you should go:
Teaching in Ghana will enable you to fully immerse yourself in a lively, caring community. English is commonly used in the classroom so you will not need to learn a new language to fit in, but admittedly learning a few words in a tribal language will go a long way!
The age group you teach is up to you, which means that if you know that you want to go on to do a PCGE or teaching diploma, this is an excellent chance to gain some relevant work experience. Schoolchildren taught by Lattitude volunteers in Ghana range between 2-19 years, so if you know what age range you would like to teach, you can design your placement to suit you. Aside from this specific teaching experience, teaching abroad in Ghana is a fantastic opportunity to gain more general skills, such as adaptability, leadership and organisation.
Communities in Ghana tend to be very tightly knit, which means you will quickly integrate and feel at home. So if you want to go beyond your day job and set up an after school club or activity, you’re plans are likely to be met with much enthusiasm both from students and members of the wider-community!
Ghana is a fantastic tourist destination whichever way you look at it. But volunteering in the country offers something more. Living and volunteering in Ghana will give you a real taste of Ghanaian culture, and will allow you to gain some great skills while forming lasting friendships with some truly inspiring people!
Find out about volunteering in Ghana
Tags: africa, Ghana, look at
