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.