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Sports Teaching Volunteer Project in Ghana - Accra Region

Sports Teaching Volunteer Project in Ghana - Accra Region

Ready to play ball as a Sports Teaching volunteer in Ghana? International Volunteer HQ’s Sports project is a great chance for volunteers to assist in physical education classes in under-resourced schools. Volunteers get to share their passion for sport while helping to grow students’ interest in physical activity and improve their skills, develop their self-confidence and learn important social skills like teamwork, sportsmanship and communication.

Highlights:
  • Programs start on the 1st and 15th of every month
  • Affordable fees from AU$609 for 1 week
  • Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
  • Play, coach and run sports and games before and after school

  • Discover Ghana’s incredible natural beauty and wildlife

  • Stay with other volunteers in a rural setting

Key information

Improve wellbeing through physical activity
Based in Ghanian schools
Volunteer house accommodation
Volunteers aged 18+ and families
Fully hosted experience from AU$609 for 1 week
Durations from 1 - 24 weeks
Online TEFL course available
Up to 5 hours volunteering per day

This program is ideal for:

Individuals with a love of sport and real enthusiasm for supporting youth development. Previous teaching experience isn’t required, but you may need to teach other classes such as math, English, science, geography and history, as sport is usually taught outside school hours.
Who is this program suited to?

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

There’s a huge amount of enthusiasm for sport in Ghana, and by helping to provide structure around games in schools, fun-loving volunteers can bring a whole lot of joy to students. Sport has the added benefit of being an excellent platform for teaching students about teamwork, sportsmanship, health and discipline while also enhancing their alertness, improving coordination and developing their self-confidence.

Sports Teaching volunteer work varies but usually includes:

  • Setting up and running physical activities
  • Playing games
  • Teaching new sports
  • Coaching and mentoring students

Football/soccer is a popular sport in Ghana, but when you volunteer to teach sport you’re encouraged to introduce new sports and games from home. You may need to bring any special equipment with you, as it may not be available for purchase in Ghana.

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #3: Good Health and Well-Being

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #3: Good Health and Well-Being

Good mental and physical health is key to sustainable development and building healthy and happy communities. Now more than ever, we must increase access to free healthcare and health education across the globe to achieve an acceptable standard of living and wellbeing for all.

Why do Sports Teaching volunteering in Ghana with IVHQ?

Why do Sports Teaching in Ghana with IVHQ? As a volunteer sports teacher in Ghana you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

  • Improving health and wellbeing through sport
  • Helping students develop life skills in a safe place
  • Developing your communication skills
  • Gaining teaching experience
  • Immersing yourself fully in the Ghanian way of life
  • Exploring Ghana’s rural areas

Volunteer requirements

Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate in this program, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. If you are under the age of 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more.

All volunteers are required to pre-arrange a visa to enter Ghana, obtain adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide IVHQ with a criminal background before departure.

Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

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What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

KA
Keisuke Abe
20 Dec 2023

I participated in the medical program for two weeks. We assisted at a local clinic and visited villages with patients to care for their wounds using limited medical supplies. It is a valuable experience that you cannot have in your own country. I highly recommend participating.

...
MM
Michelle McArthur
09 May 2023

The guidance and support I received was very helpful in making me feel secure and comfortable with my decision to volunteer. The local team was also very supportive and I always felt safe my entire stay which was important to me. Being able to help people in remote places with little or no access to healthcare was an amazing experience.

...
AP
Alina Palmer
26 Apr 2023

I have volunteered with IVHQ once before and I really enjoyed everything about it, so I decided to volunteer with them again. I was very thankful for the quick and helpful response I got for every question I asked my IVHQ Program Manager!

Everyone was amazing, kind and always there to help with anything we needed! I never once felt like I couldn't ask for anything! I absolutely loved the food the two cooks prepared for us! Being a vegetarian, I wasn't sure whether that would be a problem but the cooks instantly adapted and always made a vegetarian version for me! For that I am very thankful! The food in general was also very good and they even prepared us some local meals, which was amazing!

I loved so many moments, as they were all unique and beautiful! For me, just being around the kids and locals and making new friends there must be my favorite moments. The volunteering trip reminded me about the things that are truly important in life and that there is still so much in the world that is unfair. However, it also showed me, that no matter how small the impact is that one makes to make the world a better place, it is always worth it!

It is a very special experience and the memories you make will stay with you for a lifetime.

...
SO
Sheila ODonnell
24 Mar 2023

My Program Manager was fantastic. She was thorough, very responsive and greatly appreciated. I think being there for 6mo, I was able to identify and implement several improvements to the Wound Care program in Ghana which was a big benefit to the patients. Millie is such a wonderful hostess. She works so hard to keep the house clean and comfortable for each and every volunteer. She was very responsive and receptive to giving assistance when needed and she is a kind soul that brightened up our house every day. Elvis was amazing. He could not have been more responsive, receptive, organized and thorough. Not only did he keep our house safe and running smoothly, he also did a tremendous job organizing the weekend getaways. I am extremely impressed with his dedication to his job, the volunteers and his community. I will miss our evening wrap up chats!! Mary is a FANTASTIC cook and a very caring person. She works really hard to provide the best meals possible for the volunteers while working around her food budget and the food options in that community. She met with us regularly asking for feedback and did her best to accommodate us such as increasing fruit and vegetables which are expensive and not always available at the markets as much as we would have liked which is totally out of her control.

My favourite moment was seeing patients in town that had come to our placement for free medical care, then seeing them healthy and thriving again. What a gift we gave to one another-they received the assistance they needed and I received great joy/satisfaction in being able to share my medical skills with these wonderful people. This program impacted me greatly by being finally able to live my dream of helping those across the world who are less fortunate than me just because of the random place of our birth. I truly believe we are all one people on one planet and those of us who have resources have an obligation to help those in need. It is difficult to step out of your comfort zone for sure but the rewards far outweigh the discomfort. Take the step, you won't regret it because it truly can be life-changing for the good! And as an extra bonus, you will meet some really interesting people on this journey from all around the world.

...
TC
Taylor Clark
02 Dec 2022

Very good communication from IVHQ team, preparation before trip was extremely useful and informative, guidance from IVHQ was very effective and helpful. The local team were extremely supportive, welcoming and friendly. Benedict was very informative at the orientation meeting. My favourite moment from the program was getting to experience life in a different view, spending time with the children, meeting the locals and immersing In their way of life/culture. The biggest impact that this trip had on me was being able to speak to the locals and see the local houses, seeing first hand their living conditions. Also teaching the kids, it made me realise the things I take for granted and realising how these kids are happy with so little. The main thing taken away from the trip is, the little things in life are what makes us the happiest. If you are thinking of volunteering, do it, you will never regret or forget it. It has been 100% the best thing I have ever done.

...
ML
Meghan Lee
29 Jan 2021

I really enjoyed this incredible experience. I still can’t believe I did it! The local team made a really good point during the orientation, “you already made an impact by being here”. I was really grateful to meet and learn something from others in this short time!

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

Academic course credit through International Volunteer HQ and Intern Abroad HQ.

Academic course credit

Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!

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Volunteer Abroad in Ghana with IVHQ

Location

When you volunteer in Ghana with IVHQ, you’ll get the opportunity to experience the country’s vibrant, diverse culture and get to know the people who are said to be some of the friendliest locals in Western Africa. While Ghana is a rapidly developing country which has seen an economic upturn in the last decade, there are still many places where people face the challenges poverty brings. This is especially true outside of the major cities in the rural areas where volunteers are most needed.

Rural volunteer placements are typically in low-income areas which often lack the funding, labour and resources they need to develop their communities. By choosing to volunteer in Ghana you can make a real difference by assisting with local initiatives that seek to improve the quality of life for the people who live there.

Arrival and orientation

The program orientation begins on the 1st and 15th of every month, or just on the 15th of every month for those taking part in the Healthcare Outreach & Education project. Volunteers need to arrive in Accra on the day before orientation.

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee.

When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer accommodation in Accra. Please note that you will stay in Accra city for one night, unless it is the weekend, in which case you will stay in the city until Monday morning. Once you have completed your orientation, you will move to a rural community in the greater Accra region where you will be placed for the remainder of your stay. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.

If you are travelling in Ghana prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up at a prearranged location in Accra on the day before your program orientation.

Orientation is hosted by our local team in Accra and begins on the morning of your chosen start date. This covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program Ghana – an introduction to Ghana, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, and an introduction to project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising.

After orientation you will be taken to your placement in a rural Ghanian community.

Volunteer schedule example

First Day

On the first day of volunteering, volunteers will be escorted to their placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff they will be working with. A typical daily schedule would be as follows:

7:30 AM Breakfast at the volunteer house.
8:00 AM Travel to placement to join local placement staff and begin work on your project. There is usually a tea break and a lunch break.
2:00 - 5:00 PM Work at the project usually ends and you are free to relax and use the remainder of the day as you wish.
6:30 PM Dinner at the volunteer accommodation.

Please note this schedule can vary depending on your project and placement.

Weekends

During the weekends, volunteers have spare time and usually just relax or take the opportunity to discover the brilliant colours, music, food, fashion, history and nature that combine to make Ghana a true feast for the senses. Head to the capital city of Accra to see markets, museums and live music, or take a trip to Cape Coast and Elmina where you’ll find the Elmina Slave Castle - the first trading post built South of the Sahara - and pretty, palm-lined beaches where you can relax in the sun. You can also spend long weekends visiting other Western African countries like the neighbouring nations of Côte d’Ivoire and Togo.

Looking for more ideas of things to do in Ghana? Check out our Ghana Travel & Tours page!

Accommodation and WiFi

You’ll stay in a volunteer house with other volunteers. There are separate rooms for male and female volunteers with shared common room and toilet facilities. Living is basic but the majority of volunteer houses have electricity, while only few have running water. Power cuts are common in Ghana and most rural houses do not have running water during times of drought. Pillows and sheets are provided, however it is recommended that you bring your own towels and mosquito nets - or buy them in Ghana.

There is WiFi access available at local cafes and restaurants in a nearby village, which is a 15 to 20 minute walk from the volunteer accommodation. You can also purchase a local SIM card with data for an unlocked mobile phone to keep connected.

Meals

Volunteers in Ghana are served three meals per day. Breakfast generally consists of tea and coffee, and a hot breakfast. A typical lunch and dinner can include meat and vegetables with rice or noodles​.​ If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know ahead of time so that we can make arrangements for you.

Pricing

  • USD
Duration
Program Fee
Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
  • USD
1 week AU$608 Equivalent to AU$87/day
2 weeks AU$903 Equivalent to AU$65/day
3 weeks AU$1128 Equivalent to AU$54/day
4 weeks AU$1352 Equivalent to AU$48/day
5 weeks AU$1576 Equivalent to AU$45/day
6 weeks AU$1801 Equivalent to AU$43/day
8 weeks AU$2345 Equivalent to AU$42/day
10 weeks AU$2890 Equivalent to AU$41/day
12 weeks AU$3454 Equivalent to AU$41/day
16 weeks AU$4621 Equivalent to AU$41/day
20 weeks AU$5787 Equivalent to AU$41/day
24 weeks AU$6954 Equivalent to AU$41/day
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • 24/7 in-country support
  • In-country program orientation
  • Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
  • Airport pick-up
  • Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
  • Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
  • Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

  • All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately AU$528) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services. IVHQ fees are priced in USD but you may elect to pay in AUD.
  • A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
  • Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, and return to the airport when your program finishes.
  • Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Ghana generally find US$50 to be sufficient for weekly expenses, including water, toilet paper, transport and miscellaneous spending.

Check what's required to visit Ghana

Safety and support with IVHQ

Safety and support

IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

  • All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
  • All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
  • All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
  • All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Capital Accra
Population 30.42 million
Languages English
Currency Ghanian Cedi (GHS)
Time zone UTC+00:00

Weather and climate

Weather and climate: Ghana has a tropical climate and the average temperature falls between 21°C to 28°C (70°F to 82°F). In the north, there is a rainy season from April to June and September to November. The rainy season in the south lasts from April to mid-November. The weather is typically humid however, over the dry season, desert winds in the north can create cooler evenings and a drier atmosphere.

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How to get started

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Pay the Registration Fee to secure your place and upgrade your MyIVHQ account
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