Volunteer in Ghana on health, and teaching placements
Who We Are
Give A Fig Volunteering exists to make international volunteering ethical, safe, and genuinely useful. We work with trusted overseas partners to support community‑led projects in healthcare, education, and local development.
We are a non‑profit foundation focused on impact, transparency, and responsible volunteering.
Our Mission
To connect volunteers with community‑driven projects that create real, measurable change — without the harm, exploitation, or “voluntourism” practices seen elsewhere.
What We Stand For
Ethical volunteering
Community impact over tourism
Local leadership first
Transparency in costs and outcomes
Volunteer safety and preparation
Long‑term partnerships, not quick fixes
Why We Exist
Too many volunteering organisations prioritise profit over people. We don’t.
We exist to support communities, not to use them as photo opportunities. We exist to help volunteers contribute meaningfully, not to sell them unrealistic experiences.
Our Impact
Short, sharp, and measurable:
Volunteers placed in clinics, schools, and community projects
Support delivered to long‑standing partner organisations
Training, resources, and capacity building for local teams
Projects shaped by local needs, not foreign agendas
Clear reporting on outcomes and contributions
(I can generate specific impact metrics once you provide numbers.)
Our Partners
We work only with organisations that are:
locally led
community trusted
transparent
safe
long‑term collaborators
Every partner is vetted personally and visited regularly.
Our Founder
Paul created GAFV after years of working in international development, risk management, and community‑focused project design. His approach is practical, ethical, and grounded in real‑world experience — not marketing slogans.
How We Operate
Non‑profit foundation structure
Clear governance
Transparent financials
Community‑first decision making
No hidden fees
No inflated “volunteer packages”
No exploitation of children or vulnerable groups
Our Commitment to Volunteers
Honest expectations
Real work, not staged activities
Proper preparation
Safety and support
Clear communication
Respect for local culture and leadership
Our Commitment to Communities
No disruption
No dependency
No “white saviour” narratives
No short‑term projects that cause long‑term harm
Always community‑led
Always sustainable
Join Us
If you want to volunteer ethically, responsibly, and with real impact — you’re in the right place.
24/7 support and management from our in-country health partners
Ghana is recognized as a safe and trusted volunteering destination, with plenty to see and do.
Our partner organization there is led and managed by medical professionals, and operates in the west of Accra, with a variety of opportunities for those who volunteer in Ghana on enriching and purposeful projects.
Your participation in local schools and hospitals is greatly appreciated and highly valued by staff and users alike.
For those who join us to volunteer in Ghana, there are opportunities to experience and immerse yourself in Ghanaian culture, visit the coast, historic sites, and travel the country before, after, and during your volunteering.
The placement of students and licenced practitioners in hospitals and clinics is a great encouragement to the hospital staff.
Gifts of medical supplies and equipment, from bandages to syringes to toothbrushes are always welcome.
page updated 2025-01-10
FAQs Volunteer in Ghana
Visas:
Visa are arranged with you by GAFV, using the necessary with documentation provided by our project partners. It is not possible to volunteer on a Tourist Visa.
The first Visa is for 2 weeks, which can be extended up to 90 days. Beyond this,
Electives:
Those wishing to carry out medical, Dental, Nursing electives must provide evidence of enrolment on the relevant courses.
Licenced Practice:
Those wishing to practice as Drs. Nurses, and Dentists in Ghana may do so for 8 weeks without registration with the Ghanaian medical authorities. This is on approval and acceptance of the licencing issued by your home country, and recognition of relevant qualifications by the hospital.
References:
For both licenced practice and Electives GAFV requires 1 professional reference, on headed paper, sent to us from a work’s email address.
Police Clearance Checks:
All people on our programmes must provide a criminal record check from the country that issues your passport, and any country you have been residing in for over 12 months in the year prior to joining us.
Airport pickup:
Depending on your arrival time at the airport, it may be advisable to arrive in Ghana the day before the agreed pick-up time.
Orientation:
you will receive an orientation program before beginning on arrival at your base in Ghana, and before your programme begins.
Program timetable:
You may work for 4 or 5 days a week, giving you weekends off to experience the history, culture, and sights of Ghana.
Accommodation:
You will stay at the hostel operated by our partner, which is 7/7
Food:
You will enjoy a range of local and foreign food; full board 7/7
Drinking water:
filtered water is provided at the designated accommodation; bottled water is available to buy outside.
You are advised not to drink the tap water.
You may wish to bring with you either, (a) water purification tablets, or (b) a portable water filtering system
Vaccinations and Health:
please check your government advisories. Some advisories may be found here at our Global-info page under Government│Other Travel Advisories.
Yellow Fever: You will need to ensure you have a yellow fever vaccination (inoculated at least 10 days before arrival in Ghana) and certificate proving that to be allowed to enter Ghana
Mosquitos: mosquito nets are provided ate the accommodation. You may wish to bring insect repellent, and other measures as advised by your government’s travel advisories