Frequently Asked Questions

 

The Visa Application

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How does the visa application work?

All volunteers to Ghana will be required to obtain a visa from their nearest Ghanaian Representation (Embassy, Consulate or High Commission).

Here are the websites of a couple of them to start you off:

  • For the Ghanaian Embassy in the USA click here.
  • For the Ghanaian High Commission in the UK click here.
  • For the Ghanaian High Commission in Canada click here.
  • For the Ghanaian Embassy in The Netherlands click here.
  • For the Ghanaian Consult General in Australia click here.
  • For the Ghanaian Embassy in Germany click here.
  • For all other Embassies please click here.

Here are a couple of tips to help you on your way:

  • Contact your nearest representation to find out whether you have to apply in person or by snail mail.
  • To apply you will need a letter from us confirming your placement. We will provide you with this letter as soon as we receive your deposit.
  • You will need to complete a form for which you will need the following:
    • passport photos
    • flight details
    • two references - see the Pre-Travel Info you receive when you receive your invoice.
    • passport details
  • Depending on the embassy you may only be provided with a three month visa. Do not worry if you are volunteering for longer than that. This is standard procedure. Upon arrival in Ghana you will receive a stamp of either 30 or 60 days in your passport. 60 days is the maximum you will get (no matter what duration of visa you applied for - a bit strange, we know). You will have to have your visa extended in-country. Ikando can help you with this.
  • Remember not to apply too far in advance as visas are only valid for three months from the date of issue. This means you have to enter Ghana within those three months.
  • You must have a certificate for Yellow Fever inoculation to enter Ghana, you can obtain this from your doctor.
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What are the visa requirements to travel in Ghana?

You must obtain a volunteer visa for travel to Ghana. Once you have secured your placement we will send you a letter confirming your placement for your visa application.

Your visa must be obtained at least ten days prior to traveling. For more information on how to apply for your visa please click here.

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I could only get a three month visa but am volunteering for more that that. What do I do?

Depending on the embassy you may only be provided with a three month visa. Do not worry if you are volunteering for longer than that. This is standard procedure. Upon arrival in Ghana you will receive a stamp of either 30 or 60 days in your passport. 60 days is the maximum you will get (no matter what duration of visa you applied for - a bit strange, we know). You will have to have your visa extended in-country. Ikando can help you with this.

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It says on the form that I need references. How do I get these?

You will be provided with the references in the Pre-Travel Information you will receive when you receive your invoice.

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It does not have volunteering as an option under the Purpose of Journey section. What should I select?

If the form does not have volunteering as an option you should select holiday/tourism and make a note where possible that you are volunteering. To apply for a volunteer visa you will need a letter from us confirming your volunteer placement. We will provide you with this when as soon as we secure your placement.

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Should I choose single entry or multiple entry visa?

It is really up to you. If you think you will travel outside of Ghana during your trip, you will require a multiple entry visa to enter Ghana again. You can always obtain re-entry visas in Ghana from Immigration. Ikando can help you obtain this in-country for a small fee.

FAQs Categories

    Resource Centre

    Check out our extensive resource centre where you will find documentation on working with children, fundraising, volunteering with Ikando and much more.

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Our Ghana Team

Our Ten-strong staff team will be available 24/7 to help you throughout your placement.

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Ikando's Aims

  • To help organisations in Ghana through the provision of quality, dedicated and hard-working volunteers.

    To give volunteers and interns a positive perspective of Africa. In many ways Ghanaians are much richer than people in the West and we hope that our volunteers come to appreciate this.

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Our Accommodation
Accra Accommodation

The Agoo Hostel is located centrally in a residential area of Accra.

I'm traveling on my own

Not to worry! 99% of our volunteers are solo travelers. Ikando is also a great way to meet friends and meet people that could become travel buddies for weekend excursions.

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Country Info

    The Republic of Ghana lies on the Gulf of Guinea, on the western coast of tropical Africa, bisected by the Greenwich Meridian. The country lies within GMT zone.It is bordered to the West by Cote d'Ivoire, to the North by Burkina Faso, to the East by Togo and to the South by the Atlantic Ocean. Ghana is equivalent in size to Great Britain or the state of Oregon in the USA. The population of Ghana is approximately 22 million.

    The capital of Ghana is Accra, situated on the Atlantic coast about 25km West of the Greenwich meridian. The current population of Accra is just under 2 million people.

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    History of Ghana

Ghana is a fascinating culture at a cross roads between the past and the present. It is historically rich and amazingly diverse. It boasts the legacy of the great Ashanti Empire of the 11th century along with the dubious distinction of being the most traveled route for the transport of Africans to the new world.

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Ikando volunteer blogs


Want to know previous Ikando volunteer's experiences? Just check out their online blogs detailing their volunteer experience.

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"If you are a first time traveler or a first time volunteer to Ghana, then partnering with an organization such as Ikando is a good approach.  As a first timer myself, I can confidently say that it was reassuring to know that if any problems arose during my stay or my placement, I had someone to either find a viable solution, guide me towards one or act as a liaison between myself and my placement."

Melissa Cyr


"There are so many things I will take away from this experience and the lessons learned will last forever. It is hard to imagine what it will be like living and working in such a completely different culture and lifestyle, so come with as little expectations as possible, patience, flexibility and an open mind. This is a truly rewarding experience, and I think no one will regret coming to Ghana."

Candice Guidry

Fundraising Info

Fundraising is a great way to raise substantial funds to support your journey. In the past, Ikando volunteers have contacted their local community by writing letters to ask for support, or even organized community events - like concerts, art shows, game programmes such as bingo, and bake sales.

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How safe is Ghana?

Ghana is generally a very peaceful and stable country. In the Global Peace Index it is ranked above both the United Kingdom and the US. It is the perfect introduction for first time volunteers to Africa.

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Explore Ghana


Ghana boasts beautiful white sandy beaches, dense tropical rainforests and wild savannahs. Volunteers usually spend their weekends together exploring the country

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In-country support
Hilda Hilda is one of our housekeepers who lives at the Ikando Accommodation. She'll look after you whilst in-country, she also sometimes does airport pick-ups when Quarshi is off -duty.

Do I need a visa?

You must obtain a volunteer visa for travel to Ghana. Once you have secured your placement we will send you a letter confirming your placement for your visa application.

Your visa must be obtained at least ten days prior to traveling. For more information on how to apply for your visa please click here.

To download the Visa form please click here.

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