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Ghana Wildlife Society
Ghana's leading wildlife society, is a non-governmental, non-political, non-profit making environmental organization which seeks to conserve wildlife in all its forms to ensure a better environment and improved quality of life for all people. The GWS was first formed in the early 1970s but functioned for a few years and became dormant. In 1991, it was revived by the Save the Seashore Birds Project - Ghana (SSPC-G), a project that aimed at protecting sea and shore birds and their coastal wetland habitats in Ghana. When the SSBP-G ended in June 1994, the Society took over and continued the conservation activities initiated by the project.
The Society aims to achieve this through:
• Initiating and supporting projects which address specific problems.
• Public awareness and conservation education programmes.
• Promoting the conservation of wildlife protected arrears.
• Encouraging research on wildlife and environmental protection and conservation.
Significant among the project portfolio of GWS are:
• The community conservation education and the terrestrial biodiversity monitoring components of the Coastal Wetland Management Program of the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission of Ghana (funded by Global Environmental Facility, GEF)-Conservation Education and Awareness ongoing at sites.
• Important Bird Areas (IBA) project under the African NGO-Government Partnership for Sustainable Biodiversity Action - Periodic monitoring of IBA sites.
• Two community-based conservation projects at Afadjato and Amanzuri with funding from the Dutch Embassy in Ghana (in progress).
• Capacity Building for biodiversity conservation in West Africa (funded by Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund).
Available Positions
Researchers Code: GWS01 |
Students If you are interested in and dedicated to wildlife conservation and want to work in the field, you are more than welcome to join the GWS team. |
Vets Volunteers will provide healthcare to endangered species in Ghana. This will include checking their fitness and check for & treat infections and diseases. Code: GWS03 |
Professional photographers Photographers are required to take pictures of animals in their natural environment and follow GWS officials in their expeditions into the rainforests and other project locations. |
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Requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years of age upon application.
- You must have a background of relevance to the individual position and have a strong interest in the environment and wildlife.
- In order to maintain the sustainability and high performance of this project all interns are required to complete a detailed hand-over document for successive interns .
- You will need to be flexible and tolerant, show initiative and enthusiasm to face the many hurdles and challenges that you will encounter.
- Volunteers may be required to join expeditions, when this is the case volunteers will stay in basic accommodation in and around the project areas.
Documentation Requirements:
- A completed application form - required for application.
- An up to date CV (Resume) - required for application.
- A personal or professional reference given by an employer, teacher, lawyer or doctor. This reference must include detail of the context in which the referee knows you, verifying your CV and stating that he/she knows of no reason why you should not volunteer. The referee should also provide their contact details in order that Ikando can contact them prior to your departure to confirm the reference given. This reference should be emailed by the referee to info [at] ikando.org.
- A copy by email to info [at] ikando.org of your travel (including medical) insurance certificates.
- Information on your travel arrangements (flight number, airline, arrival and departure time and dates). We always recommend volunteers who book online to email us their booking.
- A copy of the photo page of your passport to be emailed to info [at] ikando.org.
All Documentation must be sent to us at least two weeks before arrival.
Academic credit is available for this placement. Email us for more information.
Important Details
| Project Duration | Minimum Duration 2 weeks - Maximum Duration 26 weeks (can be extended in-country) |
| Dates | You can volunteer at any time throughout the year. |
| Pricing | £ 481 for 2 weeks, £87 per week thereafter. For prices in your local currency click here. |
| Deposit | £ 150 (included in total price) |
| Location | Accra |
| Airport to fly into | Accra Airport (ACC) - (also known as Kotoka International Airport) |
| In-country Budget | From $50 on a tight budget to $150 p/week if you wish to explore Ghana. Read more... |
Click here for more information on our pricing.
What’s included in the project fees?
• Accommodation
• Welcome pack
• In-country introduction to life in Ghana.
• Airport pick-up & drop-off
• 24/7 Emergency support.
What’s not included?
• Flights & Visa
• Vaccinations (please speak to your local GP)
• Insurance (required)
Health and Safety
Ghana is one of the safest countries in Africa. 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. It has a democratic electoral process and a stable economy. Our ten-strong team in Ghana is there to ensure your health and safety at all times and you'll have emergency support 24/7.
Accommodation
The volunteer will be housed in our accommodation in the centre of town, with it possible to walk from the accommodation to nearby shops, communication centres, bars and restaurants. The spacious accommodation with a fully furnished kitchen is well maintained and has live-in staff to ensure you are well looked after. The surrounding garden and balconies overlooking Accra are perfect for chill out sessions with fellow volunteer housemates.
Food
Food is not included in our placements as in our experience volunteers prefer to cater for themselves. We have a fully furnished kitchen and our staff will show you where you can do your shopping. Western-style supermarkets and the bustling markets can be found nearby. A weekly vegetable & fruit shop can cost as little at $10, however shopping at the western-style supermarkets can be quite dear as most goods are imported.
"Quarshi (Ikando Staff) will introduce you to a woman named Felicia who sells mangos and bananas. Her mangos may very well be the sweetest in town. And, you will love shopping in the market." Elise Wray.
Airport Pick up
An Ikando member of staff will be at the airport arrivals to meet you and take you to the Accra accommodation. Please be aware that arrivals is located outside the airport, just keep an eye out for a sign with your name on it. Please ensure you send us your flight details two weeks before arrival.
Flights
Volunteers must arrange their own flights to Accra Airport (ACC). Please be aware that you should aim to arrive on the day your placement is due to start. If you are unable to do so please just check first with your volunteer coordinator whether the new dates also work for us. The following airlines fly into Accra:
- Alitalia (Lagos, Rome-Fiumicino)
- British Airways (London-Heathrow)
- Delta Air Lines (New York-JFK)
- EgyptAir (Cairo)
- Emirates (Abidjan, Dubai)
- Ethiopian Airlines (Abidjan, Addis Ababa, Lagos, Lome)
- Ghana International Airlines (London-Gatwick, Dusseldorf)
- Kenya Airways (Nairobi, Freetown, Monrovia)
- KLM (Amsterdam)
- Lufthansa (Frankfurt, Lagos)
- South African Airways (Johannesburg)
