Internships in Accra, Ghana

Working with OGVO in Ghana was honestly an amazing experience, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone considering volunteering abroad, especially in healthcare or dentistry. From the moment I arrived, everyone was so welcoming and supportive. Staying with my host family was one of the highlights of the trip — they really made me feel at home. My host’s mum and her family were incredibly kind and looked after us so well, and the kids were lovely to spend time with. It gave me such a genuine insight into everyday life and culture in Ghana, which made the whole experience feel much more personal and authentic. Frank, who coordinated everything, was also brilliant throughout the whole process. Before the trip, communication was really good and he was always quick to answer questions and help organise things. Once we arrived, he was very punctual, organised, and genuinely cared about making sure we had the best experience possible. He helped arrange weekend trips so we could explore Ghana and experience more of the culture, and he always tried to make things affordable for us as volunteers, which I really appreciated. From the dental side of things, my placement at TAFO Government Hospital was an incredible learning experience. The whole team there were so welcoming, patient, and supportive. The doctors were very insightful and took time to teach and involve me, which helped me gain so much confidence and experience. I genuinely learned a lot during my time there. What I loved most about OGVO is that it doesn’t feel like you’re just visiting Ghana as a tourist — you really feel involved in the local community and culture. If you’re someone who wants a more authentic experience and wants to learn from local people firsthand, I honestly think OGVO is a fantastic organisation to volunteer with. Overall, I got so much out of the experience, both personally and professionally, and I’ve come away with memories and lessons that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life and career. Thank you so much to everyone at OGVO for such an unforgettable experience.

My global health elective with CFHI was one of the most meaningful and transformative experiences of my medical training. Over the course of four weeks in Accra, Ghana, I was given the opportunity to engage deeply with healthcare delivery through a local lens, one that emphasized adaptability, resourcefulness, and community-centered care. What stood out most was CFHI’s intentional approach to ethical global health engagement. Rather than positioning students as observers detached from the system, CFHI fostered thoughtful learning grounded in humility, cultural context, and mutual respect. The clinical exposure was complemented by discussions facilitated by experienced local clinicians that challenged me to critically compare healthcare systems, reflect on structural inequities, and better understand how social determinants shape patient outcomes. Additionally, the staff and preceptors at my placement site, Princess Marie Louise Children’s hospital were exceptional. They were generous with their time, knowledge, and mentorship. They went above and beyond to ensure that learning was both clinically rich, contextual and ethically grounded. Through their guidance, I gained not only clinical insight but also a deeper appreciation for practicing medicine in settings where creativity and collaboration are essential. As someone originally from Ghana and now training in the United States, this experience was particularly meaningful. It allowed me to reconnect with my roots while also reshaping how I envision my future as a physician committed to global health, equity, and service. CFHI did not simply provide an elective; it provided a space for growth, reflection, and rediscovery of purpose. I am profoundly grateful for the scholarship support that made this experience possible and for CFHI’s commitment to responsible, immersive global health education. This elective will continue to influence how I practice medicine long after my training.

My experience in Ghana was a once in a lifetime experience. While getting to experience a new culture, I also got to make memorable connections with 9 of the other students on the trip. Being in a different country as a teenager without your family is hard, but the people that I was surrounded with on the trip made it so much easier to adjust. As soon as we got there we were immersed into Ghana's rich history and culture. It was super fun to learn fun facts about the country and how Ghana first gained its independence. We tried new foods, went to many museums and cultural sites, explored the rainforest, went on hikes, and walked through the bustling streets of Accra. I am so grateful that I had the chance to experience Ghana with EIL. I will never forget how monumental this trip was to my self discovery and overall growth as a high school student.

The experience was amazing and life changing. I got to learn so much! My main tasks were Implementation of business strategies and implementation of a mental health program in the village. I learned the importance or adaptability and my favorite part was Working and meeting with my team.

Going into Ghana I had no expectations. I didn't know what I was getting myself into, which helped me have the best time ever. I remember my first day there I looked outside the window and saw a different world. Kids were running around in the streets, the people carried buckets on their heads, and everywhere you looked there was someone selling food on the streets, it was beautiful. My time there was the liveliest I had felt in a long time. There is no place in the world as beautiful as Ghana.

The SIT staff did an amazing job at welcoming us into the Ghanian space and culture by allowing us to partake in presentations from renowned artists, exploration of Ghanaian’s night life, bargaining in the markets, and much more during our month long stay. The internship, and homestay experience was also very fulfilling. I learned to cook multiple cultural dishes, I made a dress using printed kentes, and learned words and phrases in the languages of the region including Twi and Ewe

My global health trip to Ghana was an incredibly transformative experience. Not only did I gain valuable insights into global health, but I also underwent significant personal growth. Collaborating with a diverse group of students enhanced my teamwork and communication skills. Living and working together, I learned to appreciate the importance of compassion in healthcare, transcending cultural differences. Witnessing a range of pathologies in Ghana highlighted both the similarities and nuances in healthcare practices between regions. From severe malnutrition cases and vitamin D deficiency to complex emergencies, I deepened my understanding of medical conditions and their management. The collaborative environment allowed me to learn from experienced peers while mentoring pre-medical students, fostering a sense of unity. In the program's first week, I encountered cases of severe malnutrition, with associated psychological and developmental ramifications. Week two brought exposure to emergency cases, shedding light on resource constraints and the critical role of medical practitioners. Notable observations included meconium aspiration, Edwards syndrome, and various surgical procedures. Week three's experiences included insights into medical education dynamics and the diverse roles of healthcare professionals. Week four delved into the complex social aspects of reproductive healthcare and anxiety stemming from traumatic birth experiences. Exploring the limitations of pain control during childbirth underscored the challenges faced by local obstetric units. Overall, my time in Ghana expanded my medical knowledge, honed my interpersonal skills, and reinforced the universality of compassion in healthcare. The exposure to diverse pathologies and healthcare systems was invaluable, leaving a lasting impact on my understanding of global health.

I had one of my greatest experiences regarding getting to know a new culture as well as the work environment in Ghana with OGVO. It was great to see the differences but especially the similarities in dental treatments and procedures in the office. Frank and his team are extremely welcoming, always ready to help and very professional. I would recommend OGVO to everybody who’s interested in doing an internship or any kind of voluntary work in Ghana. Especially the weekend trips were a great experience to get to know the country and the people even more. I feel I could take home so much positive vibes that it really was hard to leave Ghana after 3 weeks.

OGVO quickly stood out as a safe and trustworthy organisation. All my emails in advance of both booking and going to Ghana were answered quickly - usually within few hours. In Ghana everything went smoothly. OGVO met me and my travel partner at the airport and followed us to our lovely host family. OGVO had organized for me to work at a great dental clinic in Kumasi. I thank OGVO for a great experience in Ghana.

My friend and I came from Norway for a 3 week stay in Kumasi. We were having a dental internship at a private clinic where the people there were so friendly, welcoming us and treating us as family from day one. The family we stayed with was very friendly and helpful. We got good food, they made sure we felt comfortable at all times and helped us with planning and following us to the transport we were taking for weekend trips. The experience with how friendly people are here is one that I will take with me home and remember. All in all it has been three fantastic weeks full of work, culture and good experiences. I would absolutely recommend to travel with OGVO to Ghana!