.jpg){kind=logo}
Ghana Red Cross Society
The Ghana Red Cross Society was founded in 1958 with the objective of becoming the leading humanitarian relief organization in Ghana. Their mission is to alleviate human suffering at all times. Since its founding, the Ghana Red Cross has proven to be Ghana’s premier emergency response organization. The Ghana Red Cross’ work focuses on four core areas: promoting humanitarian values, disaster response, disaster preparedness, and health and community care. 
The Ghana Red Cross Society currently has a fifty-strong workforce, supported by over 56,000 volunteers across the length and breadth of Ghana. To effectively coordinate its activities, the Ghana Red Cross Society funds and trains the work of local chapters. Each year, in communities large and small, victims of disasters, often floods and fires, turn to help offered by Red Cross volunteers to reunite families and rebuild what is lost. Through the over 300 locally supported chapters, more than 7 million people gain the skills they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their homes and communities.
In Ghana, a main cause of human suffering and anxiety are road traffic accidents. According to the National Road Safety Commission, on average, 10,000 road traffic accidents occur annually, often leading to numerous fatalities (click here). In line with its mission to alleviate human suffering at all times, the Ghana Red Cross Society has launched a nationwide education campaign to educate drivers, pedestrians and all other road users in basic first aid techniques in order to reduce the increasing number of fatalities on Ghanaian roads. Beginning in January 2010, the Red Cross Society has implemented community sensitisation programmes in each district of Ghana. To sustain these campaigns, the Red Cross plans to organise monthly fundraising activities.
Available Positions
Project Assistant – Disaster Preparedness The Red Cross requires the services of a project assistant to coordinate activities aimed at improving the disaster preparedness of communities. Code: RC01 |
First Aid Instructor
Code: RC02 |
Project Assistant – School Links Project A project assistant is required by the Red Cross Society to support efforts to take health and first aid education to educational institutions in Ghana. Code: RC03 |
Health Educator A health educator is needed to help teach members of the community about health issues such as hygiene, sanitation and STDs. The ideal volunteer will also be able to teach basic first aid. Code: RC04 |
Admin & Accounts Officer An administrative and accounts officer is needed by the Society to help maintain the accounts of our Accra regional office and assist with administrative tasks around the office. Code: RC05 |
Fundraising Officer They require a fundraiser to formulate and implement a viable, long-term, sustainable fundraising initiative, contacting and meeting potential donors to help raise funds for the Society. Code: RC06 |
To maintain the high performance and sustainability of projects all Volunteers and Interns are required to submit a handover document for future volunteers.
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 Disaster Relief and Development.
- In order to maintain the sustainability and high performance of this project all volunteers are required to complete a detailed hand-over document for successive volunteers.
- You will need to be flexible and tolerant, show initiative and enthusiasm to face the many hurdles and challenges that you will encounter.
- The roles will be quite hectic with a minimum working day of 8hrs required. All interns will be required to act professionally and dress appropriately (jackets will need to be on stand-by).
Documentation Requirements:
- A completed application form - 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 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.
Important Details
| Project Duration | Minimum Duration 4 weeks - Maximum Duration 52 weeks (can be extended in-country) |
| Dates | You can volunteer at any time throughout the year. |
| Pricing | £ 655 for 4 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)
