What inspired you to work for OGVO Ghana?
I like to learn from different people, cultures, and places.Helping others impacts society positively. This is done through knowledge sharing when socializing together.
Describe a typical day at work.
Undertaking needed tours to earmarked landmarks and language tuition with those involved (volunteers). I also build intercultural understanding via mutual learning and sharing of knowledge.
Meeting other participants at Cape Coast Castle
Why do you do what you do?
I have the passion to help others achieve their desire especially when in sync with the values I uphold. Traveling to different places is also an activity I cherish.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Doing my best to help others impact society positively. I find that knowledge can be impactful through sharing of information and related language acquisition programs.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
I have a lot of experience in research and using it to gain information that will help transform society positively and lead to better living standards
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
Working with different people from various backgrounds requires a deep skill of which I have mastered. Sometimes people need to be heard even when they are not talking.
What are some current projects you are working on?
I’m working on a language learning program booklet, a menu of all major tourist sites in Ghana (by their regions), and information on artifacts of African/Ghanaian origin and where to access them.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
There is more to learn, relax and enjoy the process. If you love what you do, then do it with all your might and attention. Your expectation is as good as your efforts.
What makes OGVO Ghana special?
We believe in learning and impacting society positively through multicultural sharing of information and volunteering opportunities. Our key anthem is travel, share, learn and impact.
Elimina Castle
Why should someone choose OGVO Ghana over competitors?
We have a proven record of helping those who partner with us achieve their goals/desires with the best results and experience they have had. We are also located at the center of the country where accessibility to other parts of it is very smooth and easy.
What hopes do you have for the future for OGVO Ghana?
We would work towards becoming a globally acclaimed volunteering and intercultural learning outlet for all those who decide to join our team. Through constant reviews from our clients, we will keep restructuring to become the best.
Are there any developments with OGVO Ghana that you would like to share with us?
We are countrywide and easy to contact, check our website and let work together.
You can get our new language acquisition booklet soon and it is a very simple and self learning guide.
What makes OGVO Ghana easy to market to potential participants?
We are online and can be located easily, in as much as some people make referrals to the organization, one can find us using search engines and entering 'OGVO'.
What is OGVO Ghana’s mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
Our mission is to provide a cross cultural exchange and volunteering opportunities for those involved. And also to provide education and internships(nonpaid) where society will be impacted positively.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I hope they will learn the basics in our programmed language acquisition guide, self-assess volunteering opportunities, and provide reviews.
Shared knowledge on societal structures and activities
How do you help support participants?
Any client I come in contact with has my number where we can constantly share issues of concern during and even after the program. I can also be accessible via my personal email.
A visit to Kakum National Park with a volunteer.
If you could participate on one of your organization's programs, where would you go and what would you do?
I would like to volunteer for a research project where the topic bothers on health and poverty or social interventions. That is where I have a deep understanding, a lot to learn and a lot of passion. I would like to travel to the central regional capital, Cape Coast and Bolgatanga, or Paga to visit the crocodile ponds in the upper east region.
What questions do participants often ask you, and how do you typically respond?
Most participants desire to know more about the country's general culture; people, food, festivals, lifestyle and the remnants of social interaction. They also like to visit one or two tourist venues of which I'm very used to. I try to give them the gist and certain vital information they need to know to plan their travel to landmarks.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
They get in-depth knowledge on other people's perspectives on life and society. They learn and impact positively where necessary through collaborative efforts and sharing of human and financial resources. They equally suggest ways we can improve the way things are done and how to go about it
Why do you think learning a new language is important?
It helps facilitate better communication among people involved. Understanding a person’s language is equally a way of relating with them better and sending messages across even faster when needed.
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
Ask for all the necessary information from the designated authorities before embarking on the journey. OGVO always welcomes you to a very exciting stay and volunteer experience.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
That is where participants are guided by organizations involved to achieve shared goals. This is done through learning, exchange and volunteering. These shared activities make a society better.
At Cape Coast Castle, a must-visit site in Ghana.
What issues do you see in the world of international education that don’t line up with your values and expectations for mutually beneficial & educational relationships between providers/programs and the communities in which they are located within?
International education must have a mutual benefit, that is, helping locals as well as knowledge sharing. Our organization works towards mutual benefit through activities, programmes, and events that inform and impact positively while not changing the local culture.
What does ethical global engagement mean to you?
That means respecting people’s individuality and human rights. We work towards respecting international laws of engagement and procedures to follow in the engagement thereby.
What hopes do you have for the future of international education?
International education will inculcate more program reviews of participants involved to inform future changes to suit current trends and help organizations bring out the best in the long run.
What qualities in program & host community relations are important to you? (And OGVO Ghana)
Reliability of information accessed and used during the process or program. This helps those involved to plan ahead to achieve the desired goals. Communication and a better way of dialogue amongst those involved creates better understanding of the next line of action to be taken to achieve a particular goal.
