- Home
- Destinations
- Africa
- Ghana
- Clinical Medical Volunteer Program in Ghana
What is Volunteering in Hospitals in Ghana all about?
Our volunteering in hospitals in Ghana placement is based in hospitals and clinics in Cape Coast, supporting doctors and nurses as a volunteer as they care for low-income patients. This is a fully functioning hospital supporting the communities around Cape Coast and like any hospital, there are injuries, ailments and diseases presenting themselves every day. There is a range of departments such as medical, surgical, gynaecology, surgical and the children’s ward as well as public health and dentistry. Health care is not free in Ghana, and many patients cannot afford to pay for x-rays or medication.
In Ghana, one in every 5 children die as a result of malaria, and the economic implications are devastating to the economy. Other tropical illnesses commonly treated are related to poor drinking water and diseases spread through poor sanitary conditions, such as typhoid and hepatitis. Join our medical project and experience first-hand the difficulties faced and meet some of the most amazing people trying to help make a difference in the lives of local Ghanaians.
Why choose this clinical medical placement in Ghana?
As a medical volunteer, there is much work to do to provide assistance to these poorest communities, from cleaning instruments, recording patient data to participation in preventative health care workshops. Many of the procedures and treatment may be different, but this is part of the learning process, for volunteers and their new colleagues. The hospital highly values the contribution of volunteers, particularly as they see this as developing global citizens through knowledge exchange and working alongside international colleagues.
Role of the medical volunteer
Volunteers contribute through observational work, triage tasks, taking vitals and anthropometric measurements, treating injuries, shadowing nurses and doctors, sitting in on surgeries, and cleaning and preparing instruments, taking blood and educational activities. Tasks will depend on experience, but everyone will be expected to carry out some administrative work. Volunteers may also perform other duties as needed, such as documenting translation and categorization of donated medications. Nurses will gladly train volunteers in using the local equipment. Departments that you may work in include medical, surgical, gynaecology, surgical, the x-ray unit or the children’s ward. You may also have the opportunity to work in public health or dentistry.
What skills do I need to Volunteer in the hospital in Ghana
- Preferably, volunteers must be studying or have finished their course relating to health, nursing, dentistry or medicine. A flexible attitude, a willingness to learn and to participate wherever needed are a must. The more you put in, the more you will get out of this amazing placement.
- If you are a student, you will be able to observe the clinical practices; the Ghanaian healthcare system will also be explained to you. You will always work under the direct supervision of a fully qualified local doctor or nurse. Activities will depend on your experience levels.
- Qualified volunteers – if you wish to practice as a fully qualified medic, you will have to pass a written Ghanaian medical test. If you want to volunteer without sitting the test, then you are more than welcome to do so, but will not be able to perform the same duties as you do at home.
- If you are considering a career in medicine, you are welcome to join the project. Your time will be spent in an admin capacity within a clinical setting, gaining an insight into Ghanaian health care.
You will be asked to send your CV/resume before being accepted onto this project, as well as certifications, transcripts and other documentation are required to enable us to establish where you will be best placed. Your contribution and performance will also be taken into consideration throughout your placement. Smart dress is required and volunteers are asked to bring their own stethoscope and lab coat with them.
WHY JOIN THE PROJECT
FEATURED VIDEO
PROJECT TESTIMONIALS


Where will I work in Ghana?
About the Location
Cape Coast is a much more relaxed city in Ghana, compared to Accra. It definitely has the beach town mentality where people take more time to live and enjoy their lives. Cape Coast is a fishing community, and you will spend hours looking at the colorful boats or the fishermen casting their nets by hand. It’s a town of the past who played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade in the 16th century. You are sure to learn a thing or two as you visit the castles of Cape Coast and Elmina.
Accommodation
For the duration of your trip, you will be staying with a homestay family. All the houses are equipped with Westernized facilities. During your time at your host, you will live like a true Ghanaian, learning about the culture and enjoying home-cooked meals.
What to do in your spare time
Cape Coast is a great relaxing place to be, where you can learn some history during your spare time by visiting the Elmina and Cape Coast former: “slave castles”. There are no shortage of beaches to visit while in Ghana, and
There’s also no shortage of beaches to visit whilst you’re in Ghana. In your free time, Kakum National Park is a popular location to go and walk through the Ghanaian’s jungle through canopies. If you want to switch things up a bit, you can head to Kumasi and discover the huge market that sells everything from spices to jewellery and more. Otherwise, head north to the Volta Region and take in the small towns along Lake Volta, or even head up to the beautiful Wli Falls, on the border with Togo.
If you want to venture even further afield, then you could look into going on a safari in one of the 16 National parks in Ghana. These national parks have lots of wildlife to see including the big mammals.
Details & Costs
- Duration: 2-12 weeks
- Cost: £1784 / $2784 for 2 weeks
see drop-down menu for additional weekly pricing - Requirements: Age 18+ and COVID-19 vaccine
- Location: Cape Coast, Ghana
- Working hours: Monday - Friday - 5-6 hours per day
- Project availability: All year round
- Arrival day: Saturday
What is included
- Accommodation: Hotel stay for the first 3-nights + Homestay
- Food: Two meals Mondays through Fridays (Breakfast and Dinner typically)
- Airport: Pick up and drop off from Kotoko International Airport, Accra
- Access to personal online Kaya Community account including:
- Pre-departure information pack for Ghana
- Fundraising Guide
- How to Manage your Money Abroad Guide
- Learning Reflection Guide
- On the ground training:
- Cultural and safety orientation
- Project induction provided
- Support: 24-hour support including emergency contact numbers
- Excursion Planning assistance from local staff (activity prices may be extra)
- Certificate on completion of Internship
- Supervision from qualified professional
What is not included
- Flights
- Food: Lunch during the workweek, and all meals on weekends.
- Insurance
- Visas
- Routine vaccinations
- Daily transfers to and from the project
- Wi-Fi
- Laundry
- Police/Government Background Check; US and UK citizens will be processed through Kaya (admin fee applies). All other nationalities must provide local police check.
- Any costs for COVID-19 PCR tests required pre-departure and in-country
Easy 4-step application process
APPLY ONLINE
Apply for a Kaya program and pay your application fee to apply for your space on your chosen project. Our advisors will then contact you to guide you through the next steps.
TELEPHONE INTERVIEW
Once we’ve received your application, we’ll review your details and be in touch to arrange your informal telephone interview with your Kaya Placement Advisor.
CONFIRMATION
Following your interview, we will provide you a placement offer. Once you are ready to confirm your placement and dates, you can pay your confirmation fee to book and secure your space.
GET PREPARED
When you have confirmed your project dates we'll send you your Welcome Pack and lots of other helpful information to assist you with preparing for your placement.

Gain some experience in Educational Psychology abroad!
wishlistRemove from
wishlist

Enhance your learning, develop your skills and jumpstart your career by joining this physiotherapy internship in Vietnam!
wishlistRemove from
wishlist

Come to Cape Coast and work in a laboratory in a local hospital supporting a local Ghanaian community.
wishlistRemove from
wishlist

Take part in a Psychology and Social Work Internship in Ecuador and develop your skills and gain experience abroad
wishlistRemove from
wishlist

Come to Cape Coast and work in a laboratory in a local hospital supporting a local Ghanaian community.
wishlistRemove from
wishlist

Volunteer Coaching Sports in Ghana placement provides participants with the opportunity to learn about the local community while sharing their knowledge and providing brighter prospects to the local athletes
wishlistRemove from
wishlist

Kaya Journalism Internship in Ghana provides participants the opportunity to learn and share in their field of interest while giving back to a local community.
wishlistRemove from
wishlist

Ghana Physiotherapist internship is based in a local community supporting treatment centres and dedicated athletes as well as local professional and students.
wishlistRemove from
wishlist

Our dentistry Internship in Ghana is based in Cape Coast, supporting local dentists
wishlistRemove from
wishlist