Location
  • Ghana
    • Kumasi
Length
2 to 24 weeks

Program Details

Language
English
Age Min.
17
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Guesthouse Hostel
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30) Large Group (31+)
Travel Type
Budget Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
375
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Meals Transportation
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
Sep 07, 2023
Sep 04, 2023
84 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Volunteer in Ghana with Plan My Gap Year – an award-winning, international volunteer abroad organisation with programs based in Kumasi, Ghana. PMGY provides safe, trusted and affordable programs overseas, with a wide range of volunteer projects in Ghana, including Childcare • English Teaching • Medical & Mental Health opportunities.

PMGY Ghana is located in the historic city of Kumasi, in the central Ashanti Region. The Ghana volunteer programs start on the 1st & 3rd Sunday of every month. Our projects in Ghana run across the year and participants can join us from 2-24 weeks. Volunteers in Ghana are provided with an extensive pre-departure support service, airport pick-up, orientation, meals, accommodation and local support.

Video and Photos

Impact

Ethical Impact

Plan My Gap Year is committed to providing ethical volunteer opportunities that truly benefit the local communities. We have personally vetted all of our Volunteer Programs in every destination. We support a small network of Volunteer Programs abroad that we have specifically chosen due to their efforts being sustainable for our volunteers and the local communities alike. We work closely with each of our local teams to ensure we are assessing and adapting to ensure quality experiences for all involved.

For this reason, PMGY does not provide volunteer opportunities in orphanages in any of our locations. Research and studies have shown that visiting and volunteering in orphanages has the potential to generate an industry that separates children from their families. In turn, putting children at increased risk of neglect and abuse. Therefore, we do not support these institutions with our volunteer network.

Instead, we focus on offering alternative childcare volunteer opportunities whereby children come to and from the placement setting each day. In other words, our local teams collaborate with childcare projects which do not offer any form of residential care. These are safe, responsible, and vetted projects, where participants continue to provide valued assistance supporting local staff.

Program Highlights

  • Most Affordable – PMGY’s programs are accessible to everyone who wants to make a difference, through low fees and high-impact projects.
  • Best Support – Our international and local teams provide extensive around the clock services to assist you every step of your PMGY adventure.
  • Safety Prioritised – With safety a PMGY number-1 priority, we have taken all necessary precautions to ensure our programs are as safe and structured as possible.
  • Extraordinary Experiences – With PMGY, you have the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in amazing cultural and travel experiences, ensuring you leave with unforgettable memories.
  • Friendships for Life – Your PMGY experience not only opens up a doorway for new experiences and exciting memories, but also life-long friendships when meeting new people from around the world.

Popular Programs

Portfolio-Ghana-Childcare.jpg

Brighten up the lives of vulnerable children in Ghana and make a vital and important contribution to their daily lives.

Portfolio-Ghana-Teaching.jpg

Help young children develop the skills that will help improve their future job prospects. Teach a variety of subjects such as English, Maths and Art.

Portfolio-Ghana-Medical.jpg

A fantastic opportunity to gain experience and insight into the health care system. Learn from local staff and get involved in supporting them.

Portfolio-Ghana-Mental-Health.jpg

Designed for those currently studying mental health or psychology, this is an opportunity to gain insight and awareness within a hospital based setting.

Portfolio-Africa-Encounter.jpg

Spend a life-changing 6, 9 or 12 weeks of volunteering across the world’s second-biggest continent in Ghana, fascinating Tanzania & epic South Africa!

Program Reviews

4.94 Rating
based on 127 reviews
  • 5 rating 94.49%
  • 4 rating 5.51%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.85
  • Support 4.95
  • Fun 4.85
  • Value 4.75
  • Safety 4.95
  • Program Selection 5
  • Pre-departure Help 5
  • In-program Support 5
  • Impact on Student 5
  • Value 5
Showing 9 - 16 of 127 reviews
Default avatar
Patricia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

PMGY- Ghana Mental Health Program

I have joined the Plan My Gap Year Mental Health Program in Ghana in May 2022 and I can honestly say it has changed my life in positive ways.
Coming to a foreign country where a lot of things are different than you are used to and having to adapt was interesting & at times challenging experience, however the staff support made it immensely easier.
The experience was invaluable and good communication as well as respect towards every volunteer made the journey to new country & adapting to new culture a piece of cake.
Each and every volunteer was treated as part of the family and everyone's opinion was valued.
The two weeks I was there flew by and I wanted to extend my trip, nevertheless it was not possible due to responsibilities awaiting back home.
I wish with all my heart to return to Ghana and to be able to see everyone again. I miss Ghana and everyone there more than words can described.

Pros
  • Experiencing new culture
  • Providing much needed support to those in need
  • Meeting new people and making life long friends
95 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Alexandra
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience of my life

Best experience of my life. I spent a month in Ghana with PMGY and it was honestly the best time I've ever had. The pre-departure support was amazing and so comforting. It was my first trip where I had to obtain a visa and the process was a little frustrating but the support I got was incredible and the time of response to all of my questions was always incredibly fast. From the moment I arrived in Ghana, I never felt unsafe, which was something I wasn't expecting, but the drivers were always there to accompany you and help you in whatever way you needed them to in the afternoon activities(from the shops at the market to supermarket shops to the pool) and most of the people are extremely kind and welcoming. I did the childcare program and it exceeded my expectations. I wasn't expecting the placement to be so organized and I was also having doubts that my help wouldn't be something much, but it turned out that the volunteers contribute so much and have a huge impact on the babies' everyday lives, which was the most fulfilling part of the day. The accommodation is basic but you don't need anything else. There is so much space for everyone and you can always find a spot to spend some time by yourself if you need to. Also a big living room, dining area, and yard where you spend your time with the other volunteers, bonding, playing games, talking, etc. The weekend trips were something I enjoyed very much. The car rides were long but they were always fun and part of the amazing experience that the trips were. Lastly, I went as a solo traveler/volunteer but I met some of the most amazing people, made friends for life, and made some of the most amazing memories. Hope my review helps you decide on this amazing opportunity PMGY offers. Thank you PMGY. Thank you Ghana and thank you Seth for everything.

Pros
  • Cultural impact
  • New experiences
  • Friends for life
99 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Tarique
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best time ever!

I went to Ghana on the PMGY programme and I can honestly say it's the best decision I've taken in years! Before I had finished planning my trip, I got a lot of support by Philip, who is always available for a quick reply to any question you may have and even for Zoom calls to discuss your plans, and the volunteer handbook which had all the important information in there as well and also provided a detailed description of what to expect when there. At the airport, Kelvin was already waiting for me with a PMGY sign and when I didn't see him at first, the local people were very helpful as well. After a day we travelled to our accommodation which is a lovely house shared with all the volunteers who were there. Being around each other so much really made us bond with each other and you'll make a lot of close friends there. Also the local staff are wonderful and always there to help out, you'll get very close to them as well. If we ever had any questions we could always reach out to one of them and it'd be answered. Personally I did the medical project for three weeks and teaching for one week. The medical project was mostly observatory, though, there are some actions that you can undertake if you ask for it, especially if the healthcare workers get to know you. Going to the hospital will definitely be an enriching experience for your life. The school as well was VIBES. The kids got endless amounts of love in them and they transfer that energy to all of the teachers! In our free time there was always something to do and in the weekends you can go on trips (the PMGY trips are great!). All in all, had an AMAZING time. If you've got any doubts, I'd just say go for it and ask any questions you have to Philip.

119 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Imogen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Ghana

I travelled to Ghana with PMGY to do the childcare programme. The trip was an unreal experience and you meet so many amazing people! If you’re concerned about travelling out there on your own, you honestly have nothing to worry about as Seth will meet you and the other arrivals at the airport to take you to the accommodation the next day. The people who look after you whilst you’re out there are really accomplished and will help you with anything you need. The weekend trips are generally something that most volunteers take part in and are really worth going to as you get to do so many interesting things. Volunteering at the orphanage can be overwhelming initially but is overall very rewarding and worth while. You should make sure you take wipes with you and sponges as the water does sometimes go out. It’s also worth taking clothes such as hoodies and other comfortable clothing for when you’re chilling in the evenings and maybe something for going out in as most weeks everyone goes out for karaoke night! Also the more donations you can gather before you go, the better! Even if it’s just stationary, it’s really appreciated.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I ate fufu on the trip which is made from cassava and has a chewy, stretchy texture.
99 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
ARTHUR
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Africa experience

I travelled the Great Africa experience over 6 weeks with PMGY. I started in South africa at the kwantu reserve which was so amazing and great for animal lovers. However if you are there longer than 2 weeks it can get repetitive unless you do the 8 week ranger program. I went to tanzania where the project was amazing and the house staff were so nice. Then in Ghana I had a great time with the taxi drivers who are easy to get along with. Seth also made me feel very welcome and the whole crew were wonderful. Only thing is there isn't many protein options for vegis however this is understandable in a place like kumasi. I would highly recommend this experience as a reliable safe and wonderful trip around Africa's highlights.

88 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Marilyn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Incredible experience with PMGY in Ghana

Had an absolutely lovely time with PMGY in Ghana. Everything pre-departure wise was very well planned and one felt comfortable and save at all times once there. The placement programs are incredibly enriching and rewarding. But keep on open mind when traveling. If you are vegetarian, maybe take some vitamin supplements with you, because the food served is very basic and mostly carbs (if you skip the meat).
But overall I am looking forward to travel and volunteer with PMGY again in the future! :)

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Seeing elephants literally right outside your hotel room is just an unbelievably cool experience!
90 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ellen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Medaase PMGY Ghana

Thank you so much to everyone at PMGY for the best month of my life! I went to Ghana and it was the best, most enriching and memorable month of my life. Everyone was so welcoming and had an answer to every question, especially in the booking process. It is a very straight forward process to join the program and you are provided with all the necessary information to be fully prepared. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone involved with PMGY Ghana, you will always hold a special place in my heart.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Fufu! We went on a village day and a lovely farmer showed us the plantain and pawpaw he had. We learnt how fufu is made and tried some ourselves! It was very different, so unfamiliar to me and nothing like i have tasted before but so glad I had the experience!
76 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lucy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience of my life

I just want to first say a massive thank you to everyone at PMGY for making my experience in Ghana so amazing! The team went above and beyond to ensure we were supported through every step of the process. The multiple to opportunities PMGY gave me during my 4 weeks allowed me to fully submerge myself in the culture and have learnt so much because of that. I was given the chance to try all the projects and maximise my time and I will treasure my experience for the rest of my life. Thank you PMGY for making it possible!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
stop procrastinating and book that ticket! You won’t regret:)
77 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers