Ghana

Ghana has the distinction of being the first country in the world to welcome the Peace Corps. The first group of 52 Volunteers arrived in Ghana on August 30, 1961. Since that time, more than 3,700 Volunteers have served here successfully. Ghana's stable government, commitment to democracy, and extensive efforts to reform its economy are the key factors that contribute to the Peace Corps' impact. Ghana's government promotes a number of education reforms and community development initiatives that the Peace Corps supports through programs in education, small enterprise development, environment, and health.

Contents 1 Peace Corps History 2 Living Conditions and Volunteer Lifestyle 3 Training 4 Health Care and Safety 5 Diversity and Cross-Cultural Issues 6 Frequently Asked Questions 7 Packing List 8 See also 9 External links

[edit] Peace Corps History

Main article: History of the Peace Corps in Ghana

Ghana was the first country in the world to receive Peace Corps Volunteers. The program began with 52 Volunteers arriving on August 31, 1961. Currently, 45 years later, there are 130 Volunteers and trainees working in the fields of health and water and sanitation, HIV/AIDS, Guinea Worm disease eradication, junior and secondary school teaching, small business development, and environment. Peace Corps/Ghana brings in approximately 75 new trainees each year. Volunteers work in all 10 regions of Ghana.

Peace Corps has been a witness to the successes and challenges of Ghana’s modern post-colonial political, economic and social development. In this period, the changing political landscape has had a direct impact on economic and social development as the nation has forged its identity in the context of an increasingly globalized world. After 45 years, the government of Ghana continues to request assistance from Peace Corps because there is still much work to be done.

[edit] Living Conditions and Volunteer Lifestyle

Main article: Living conditions and volunteer lifestyles in Ghana

Housing varies by region, district, community, and by sector. There are few generalities about housing or site location. Peace Corps Volunteers are placed at the request of the government, Volunteers go where they are needed. Peace Corps/Ghana requires that the community contribute housing and that it meet the minimum standard of at least two rooms (or one room with a porch/sitting area). Housing must be adequately ventilated with a leak-proof roof, a solid floor and walls, access to year-round water supply, latrine, bathing facilities (often a bucket bath), and secure doors and windows. Some Volunteers find their housing goes way beyond these minimums, while others barely meet them.

Peace Corps/Ghana has Volunteers in all 10 regions of the country. Some sites are very remote, while others are in sizeable towns or cities. Once you arrive in Ghana, you will be interviewed by the associate Peace Corps director for your project to help guide the final placement decision.

[edit] Training

Main article: Training in Ghana

When you arrive in Ghana, women should wear dresses or long skirts and men should wear long trousers. Although female Volunteers do wear trousers, Peace Corps/Ghana would appreciate the positive impression that will be created by trainees coming into the country for the first time being somewhat dressed up.

Upon arrival at the airport in Accra, you will be met by several staff members. You will then go through the immigration and customs formalities on your own. In filling out the immigration form, use the Peace Corps address of P.O. Box 5796, Accra-North. The day after your arrival, you will have some time to rest and then begin the orientation to pre-service training. The following day you will go to the Peace Corps office for a short welcome ceremony and a tour of the office, during which time you will meet most members of the staff. For the remainder of the day, you will have individual medical interviews. You will also receive a welcome packet and a small walk-around allowance at that time. During the next few days, you will participate in a cultural scavenger hunt, which will take you throughout Accra, attend a reception at the residence of the U.S. ambassador, and have a number of sessions preparing you for training and your next two years.

[edit] Health Care and Safety

Main article: Health care and safety in Ghana

Peace Corps’ highest priority is maintaining the good health and safety of every Volunteer. Peace Corps medical programs emphasize the preventive, rather than the curative approach to disease. Peace Corps in Ghana maintains a clinic with a full-time medical officer who takes care of Volunteers’ primary healthcare needs. Additional medical services, such as testing and basic treatment, are also available in Ghana. If you become seriously ill, you will be transported to either an American-standard medical facility in the region or to the United States.

[edit] Diversity and Cross-Cultural Issues

Main article: Diversity and cross-cultural issues in Ghana

In Ghana, as in other Peace Corps host countries, Volunteers’ behavior, lifestyles, background, and beliefs will be judged in a cultural context very different from our own. Certain personal perspectives or characteristics considered familiar and commonly accepted in the United States may be quite uncommon, unacceptable, or even repressed.

Outside of Accra, Ghana’s capital, residents of rural communities have had relatively little direct exposure to other cultures, races, religions, and lifestyles. What is advertised as “typical” cultural behavior or norms may also be a narrow and selective interpretation, such as the perception in some countries that all Americans are rich and have blond hair and blue eyes. The people of Ghana are justly known for their generous hospitality to foreigners; however, members of the community in which you will live may display a range of reactions to differences that you present. We will ask you to be supportive of one another.

In order to ease the transition and adapt to life in Ghana, you may need to make some temporary, yet fundamental compromises with who you are as an American and as an individual. For example, female trainees and Volunteers may not be able to exercise the independence available to them in the United States; political discussions will need to be handled with great care; and some of your personal beliefs may best remain undisclosed. You will need to develop techniques and personal strategies for coping with these and other limits. The Peace Corps staff will lead diversity and sensitivity discussions during your pre-service training and will be on call to provide support, but the challenge ultimately will be your own.

• Possible Issues for Female Volunteers
• Possible Issues for Volunteers of Color
• Possible Issues for Senior Volunteers
• Possible Issues for Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual Volunteers
• Possible Religious Issues for Volunteers
• Possible Issues for Volunteers with Disabilities

[edit] Frequently Asked Questions

Main article: FAQs about Peace Corps in Ghana

• How much luggage will I be allowed to bring to Ghana?
• What is the electric current in Ghana?
• How much money should I bring?
• When can I take vacation and have people visit me?
• Will my belongings be covered by insurance?
• Do I need an international driver’s license?
• What should I bring as gifts for Ghanaian friends and my host family?
• Where will my site assignment be when I finish training and how isolated will I be?
• How can my family contact me in an emergency?
• Can I call home from Ghana?
• Should I bring a cellular phone with me?
• Will there be e-mail and Internet access? Should I bring my computer?

[edit] Packing List

Main article: Packing list for Ghana

You could arrive in Ghana with only the clothes on your back and find the rest of what you need here.

This list has been compiled by Volunteers serving in Ghana and is based on their experience. Use it as an informal guide in making your own list, bearing in mind that experience is individual. There is no perfect list! You can always have things sent to you later. You obviously cannot bring everything mentioned, so consider those items that make the most sense to you personally and professionally. There is an 80-pound weight restriction on baggage.

• General Clothing
• Essential for Everyone
• Optional
• Men
• Underwear
• Personal Hygiene and Toiletry Items
• Kitchen
• Miscellaneous

[edit] See also

• Volunteers who served in Ghana
• Friends of Ghana
• List of resources for Ghana
• Pre-Departure Checklist
• Inspector General Reports

[edit] External links

• Peace Corps Journals - Ghana