Global Health in Ghana

Last month, I had the incredible opportunity to complete my master’s public health internship with CFHI at Princess Marie Louise Children's Hospital in Accra, and it was a truly life-changing experience.

The clinical rotations at PML are incredibly comprehensive and eye-opening. As an MPH student, getting to rotate through public health and nutrition, the HIV clinic, reproductive health and family planning, physiotherapy, the ER, and even observing pediatric surgeries on Wednesdays gave me an invaluable, well-rounded look at global pediatric care.

Thank you to the entire team at Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital and CFHI for an unforgettable and transformative internship. I highly recommend this program to any future global health professional at any of their international locations!

My global health elective with CFHI was one of the most meaningful and transformative experiences of my medical training. Over the course of four weeks in Accra, Ghana, I was given the opportunity to engage deeply with healthcare delivery through a local lens, one that emphasized adaptability, resourcefulness, and community-centered care.

What stood out most was CFHI’s intentional approach to ethical global health engagement. Rather than positioning students as observers detached from the system, CFHI fostered thoughtful learning grounded in humility, cultural context, and mutual respect. The clinical exposure was complemented by discussions facilitated by experienced local clinicians that challenged me to critically compare healthcare systems, reflect on structural inequities, and better understand how social determinants shape patient outcomes.

Additionally, the staff and preceptors at my placement site, Princess Marie Louise Children’s hospital were exceptional. They were generous with their time, knowledge, and mentorship. They went above and beyond to ensure that learning was both clinically rich, contextual and ethically grounded. Through their guidance, I gained not only clinical insight but also a deeper appreciation for practicing medicine in settings where creativity and collaboration are essential.

As someone originally from Ghana and now training in the United States, this experience was particularly meaningful. It allowed me to reconnect with my roots while also reshaping how I envision my future as a physician committed to global health, equity, and service. CFHI did not simply provide an elective; it provided a space for growth, reflection, and rediscovery of purpose.

I am profoundly grateful for the scholarship support that made this experience possible and for CFHI’s commitment to responsible, immersive global health education. This elective will continue to influence how I practice medicine long after my training.

My five weeks in Cape Coast, Ghana with CFHI was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had. I was part of the Clinical Track and spent my time shadowing in the surgery and neurosurgery departments at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. From the very first day, I was welcomed by the healthcare team and made to feel like part of the hospital community. I spent most of my time observing surgeries, sitting in on ward rounds, and learning how physicians navigate complex cases in a system with limited resources. What stood out to me was how willing the house officers were to engage with me. They explained procedures, answered my questions, and shared their own experiences working in the Ghanaian healthcare system. I was constantly learning, not just about medicine, but about the importance of adaptability, compassion, and teamwork in clinical care. Connecting with patients was another powerful part of my experience. Even though I was just a student shadowing, many patients welcomed me into their space with kindness and openness. These small moments, sharing a conversation or simply being present, taught me a lot about the human side of medicine. Outside the hospital, the CFHI accommodations were safe and comfortable, and living with other students and our local coordinator created a strong sense of community. The local CFHI team was supportive and always made sure we were prepared, both in and out of the clinical setting. Cape Coast itself was an incredible place to live. In our free time, we explored the beaches, hiked through Kakum National Park, and visited the Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, which offered a powerful look into Ghana’s history. We also got to experience Ghanaian culture firsthand, from trying traditional foods to learning local customs and phrases. This program helped me grow both personally and professionally. It gave me real insight into global health, strengthened my interest in surgery, and reminded me of why I chose to pursue medicine in the first place. I'm grateful to CFHI for offering such a thoughtful, immersive experience, and I would absolutely recommend the Cape Coast program to anyone looking to gain clinical exposure.

My experience with CHI was nothing short of amazing!
During my clinicals settings, the medical officers were very welcoming and engaging in conversations. They all were more than happy to help me understand medical issues and expose me to different cases I may not have been exposed to back home. My favorite part of clinicals was attending surgeries every Wednesday. This experience was amazing because I was able to witness all the moving parts that play a role in surgeries and it was also my first time watching surgeries be performed on children as young as 2 months old! I also really enjoyed the Outpatient Department and being able to see all the new cases and clinics each week. This was super interesting and engaging because there was something new that I could learn every day from asthma clinic, neuro clinic, and just regular OPD. I developed cultural competency during my time here which will really help me with my career in the future when dealing with diverse populations. Finally, outside of clinicals, I was able to have the independence to explore the city and learn more about myself. I felt extremely safe in Accra and being able to go out and explore during my free time allowed me to learn many things about myself and pushed me out of my comfort zone. The local team was extremely accommodating and very nice! They always were available if I needed anything or had any questions.
This experience really changed my life for the better and I am so happy I meet so many great people and I plan to continue to build on the friendships I have made. CFHI is the absolute best and I HIGHLY recommend this program!

This summer, I had the opportunity to participate in a global health fellowship as an HBCU Leader in Global Health. Thank you Child Family Health International for this wonderful, life-changing opportunity to experience medicine in Accra, Ghana! During my 4 weeks here, I was able to shadow physicians in various departments, observe surgeries, observe vaginal deliveries & c-section births, and learn about preventative health and malnutrition management.
I had an amazing time exploring Accra and shadowing at Princess Marie Louise Children's Hospital and Jamestown Maternity Hospital. I am so grateful to combine my love for medicine with my love for travel! Exploring global health through a service-based lens has given me an invaluable perspective on advocacy and health equity before officially starting my medical school journey.

My CFHI experience in Accra, Ghana was extremely invaluable. I had the unique opportunity to serve in a local hospital where I learned about child and maternal health. Each week I rotated through a different sector of the hospital: Week 1 was the emergency room, week two was malnutrition, week 3 was community health/family planning and for the last week I was in the wards/NICU. I appreciated learning about healthcare in Ghana directly from health care providers. I was excited to practice physical exams and interview patients since these are skills I have acquired in my first year of medical school. The malnutrition unit was particularly interesting to me because I haven't had much exposure to working with dieticians. Malnutrition is a massive issue in Ghana, and I learned ways in which the dieticians plan to help their patients recover (utilizing a 4-step re-feeding plan) and how they work with the physicians in other units (ex. OPD or the ED) to ensure the best care for these patients.
Culturally, I enjoyed trying different foods such as red red, kenkey and kelewele. As the daughter of Nigerian immigrants, many of these foods reminded me of home as there were similarities between the dishes. Interacting with locals and admiring the art pieces and learning to play the drums at the art center was one of my many highlights. I really appreciate the sense of community I felt in Accra. I appreciated the opportunity to live with other students from different states and countries while learning about Ghana when we went out into the community each day. I will never forget this transformative experience as it strengthened my desire to continue to pursue Global Health in my future career.

My 4 week program in Ghana with child family health international by far the best opportunity I’ve come across. During this time, I was able to shadow healthcare providers at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital allowing me to see first hand healthcare disparities and challenges the communities are being faced with. My rotations took place in the Pediatric & NICU ward which only grew my passion for wanting to work with children and loving mothers. Also, I had a chance to participate on outreach days with Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana whom goals was to educate the community on sexual rights and women’s reproductive health.

During leisure time , I took the opportunity to explore the Ghanaian community and see the beautiful landmarks and buildings. Truly immersing myself in the culture. Our coordinator made sure we experienced Ghanaian food each night by cooking us diner.

“Let The World Change You“ is the slogan of Child Family Health International and that’s exactly what I did during my time of the global health in Ghana program. Becoming a sponge and soaking up the experience to what i was surrounded with is the best thing I could’ve done.

I am beyond grateful for this experience that was both personal and professional. I can’t wait to continue to work toward my career of becoming a physician assistant!

I always dreamed and yearned to leave the country for study or internships while I was in college. At the beginning of August, I was finally given the chance to travel to Ghana with CFHI, not just for a practicum but also to take in the sights of a different nation. I merely adored it. I was quite nervous and eager because I was traveling to a nation where I didn't know anyone, but I realized that this was an opportunity for me to overcome my introversion.

Contrary to my expectation, I adjusted quickly since the CFHI made sure a coordinator and a preceptor were present for each step we took. Yes, there were instances when we solved problems on our own; that was also a valuable part of the experience. I improved my freedom and started to operate with less guidance. I had a great time and learned a lot during my rotations at Princess Marie Luis Hospital. In the classes I took at Liberty University, I came into contact with and experienced all the health facts I had learned. Through my interactions with others, I developed cultural sensitivity, but I never saw myself as superior to them. Instead, I learned to value the beauty in our differences. I also gained cultural humility as a result. I will always be grateful to CFHI for this transformation, and I eagerly anticipate traveling to other places with them. This program has my recommendation.