AKWAABA
means "WELCOME" in Ghana.
So ... AKWAABA to this beautiful country!
GHANA IS
INCREDIBLE!
Everything is in
excess… overwhelming hospitality, a multitude of religions, languages,
music, dancing, socialising and an abundance of glorious African
countryside and wide open spaces. The very best of
Ghana, however, is the Ghanaian people - they are amongst the friendliest in
Africa, so prepare yourself for a warm, sociable welcome!
"Walking to Sambel is probably one of the most amazing things
ever! You walk up from the house on Mosuku Road and people from
everywhere are shouting out "Obruni" but you just give them a smile, ask
them how they are and they feel respected. I mean, at home, people
wouldn't give you a second look but you don't mind the curiosity of the
kids, who come rushing to your feet and grab at your arms and just
continuously tug or pinch your skin... you truly feel as though you are
doing something fantastic for the kids we have taught."
Jonathan Childs
The atmosphere in
Ghana is extraordinary; with its run-down shacks, half completed buildings
and people trying to sell you anything and everything. From the moment you
step off the plane you realise that you have arrived in a very different
place and you're about to have a completely new cultural experience!
The country has an air of
excitement as people strive for achievement and improved quality of life. It is
a country that is full of hope and optimism. Ghanaians are proud of their
culture and love welcoming people from outside to integrate and mix in with
their local customs and way of living.
The air has an amazing
aroma; a mixture of charcoal and local dishes cooking over an open pot. The
sounds of the energetic tribal language being spoken around you will assure
you…. you have landed in Africa!
Ghana is a
country of cheerful anticipation. You will find that you are welcome
anywhere and everywhere. The people are extremely friendly and hospitable
and Ghanaians are proud of their culture and love welcoming people from
outside to integrate and mix in with their local customs and way of living.
Ghana is now one of the most dynamic countries in West Africa. It was the
first country in Africa to gain independence from the British Empire on the
6th of March, 1957, and today Ghana retains a remarkable sense of
independence. The country is bursting with customs and tradition and has a
long, rich history of crafts-people.
Ghana is very much isolated from what goes in the Western world. When
walking around the streets of Accra (the capital city) you won’t find any
Beckham shirts, McDonald’s or other touristy gimmicks; just real people
living real Ghanaian lives. Ghana is warm, friendly and feels remarkably
safe. You sense that you really are in Africa.
Ghana is an exciting modern African culture – open, musical and diverse.
Although the country is poor, recently it has attracted new money and
Ghanaians are returning from abroad and bringing new investment and ideas
with them. Ghana is a stable country and truly delightful to work in and
visit.
Much of the attraction of Ghana results from its legacy as the
centre of the gold, ivory, and slave trade during the 17th and 18th
centuries, when the mighty Ashanti Empire held sway here. However, Ghana
also possesses one of the best game reserves in West Africa, a multitude of
good beaches, and plenty of hospitality.
For people who are looking to escape from the comforts
and routines of our world and to enter a country that has a proud African
culture and heritage, then Akwaaba [welcome] to Ghana.
"Absolutely loving Ghana,
the place, the people, everything is so good. I don't even feel homesick, which is wicked." Ruth Clague, Teaching Placement
"To any volunteers:
Ghana is nothing like what you will expect and there is no way of
describing it without experiencing it. Don't have any doubts about coming
because it is great. The people you meet are all the friendliest and I'm
sure you will make friends for life. Teaching is a hard but a very
worthwhile experience. The homesickness soon fades, especially when you
travel on the weekends - we saw crocodiles on Saturday”.
Jessica McAlpine
To read about the extensive Support & Backup we provide in our countries,
please click here.
.
PROJECTS YOU CAN DO IN GHANA:
Teaching: All types of teaching
projects, from
English to Music and Drama, Maths to IT. No qualifications required.
Sports:
You can take part in a varied selection of Sports projects in Accra
Work Experience: Gain experience in
Journalism, Law, Medicine, Radio, TV Production and Web Design - and make
yourCV stand out from all the others! Care:
The Street Girls Aid Project:
Provide support and care to the street women and children of Accra. You can
also contribute precious time to the street children’s day care centre.
Orphanage
Project in the Greater Accra region where you'll assist in an NGO
dedicated to providing the very best physical, psychological and daily care
for children who are neglected, abused, or in need of supervision. Summer
Camp 2008!Travellers runs a summer camp every year and it's great fun! Don't
miss this one. You can combine it with other projects.
SPECIALS, EXTRAS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Hi, Travellers, I am just
emailing to thank you. Mid September I emailed you asking whether you could put
me in touch with volunteers from your company as I had no one else from my
company! Although I had a nightmare with my company, it turned out that I had an
amazing time in Ghana. This is somewhat down to you at Travellers for ...
enabling me to travel at weekends and relax in my free time with them. We all
had a wicked time. Thanks a lot for also putting me in touch with Richard, and
thank him too if possible.Will Martin
Local women cooking in Accra, Ghana's
capital
Street Vendors Ghanaian transport - the tro-tro
ACCRA
Accra, on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, is both big-city hectic and
African laid-back.Accra may not be
one of the prettiest cities by Western standards, but there is something
else this African city has that makes up for lack of planning and fancy
buildings.
It is a wonderful city to experience. It is
full of character, has a warm feel, is extremely friendly and feels very
safe.It also has some great beaches!
Spend a
few hours in the breezy capital ofAccra and you'll swear the wind and waves off the Gulf of Guinea have infused
the land and people with equatorial warmth. It is a city that is young, wild
and full of soul and here
you'll sample the true African spirit. During the day, the streets are full of market stalls and
vendors where you can browse and buy mouthwatering foods, colourful Kente cloth, beads,
or baskets. Don't forget to practice your haggling.
During the night
the city comes alive with the traditional Ghanaian ‘spot’ bars and the sound
of live drumming music in the warm night air. Village-specific festivals and events
occur throughout the year.
Accra itself
is fascinating, very different from home. Very noisy, dusty and hot, but
really colourful and vibrant. Particularly impressed by the palm trees,
amazing variety of little stalls and shops and the women balancing huge
bundles on their heads! We've felt very safe so far - very little hassle
from people, most of whom have been really welcoming.
Caroline Allen – Law Placement Jan 2004
There really is no 'best' time to
visit Ghana, as the temperature is always Africa-hot and if rainfall doesn't
soak you, then the humid air will.
If you prefer your soaking
tropical in nature, stick close to the beaches. In the south there are two
rainy seasons, from April to June and September to November.
Temperatures range between 21 and
32 degrees C, highest in March and lowest in August.Whatever the season, the weather gets more arid the farther inland
you go.
Capital City: Accra Currency: 1 new cedi (C) = 100 pesewas. There are approx. 11,000
cedis to 1 British Pound (about 7,700 cedis to 1 US Dollar) Languages: English (official), African
languages (including Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga) Population: 19.5 million
Ghanaians are warm, friendly, and sociable
people. They are polite, open
and trusting - even with strangers. They take life at a more relaxed
pace, viewing time as a series of events rather than a matter of hours or
minutes. This is known as GHANA TIME - it can be frustrating to foreigners,
but relax and you'll get used to it. To them, people are more important than schedules.
"I'm sure you must hear this all the time, but the people
here are really friendly. They really go out of their way to make sure I'm
OK."
Omar Choudhary, IT/Web Design Project
Suite 2A, Caravelle House, 17/19 Goring
Road, Worthing,
West Sussex, BN12 4AP, England
Tel: +44 (0)1903 502595 Fax: +44 (0)1903 708179
Email:
info@travellersworldwide.com