GHANA
ROOTS OF WEST AFRICA
The rhythm of music, the depth of culture and heartfelt welcomes invite you to feel at home in the heart of West Africa.
Program Overview
On this program, you’ll arrive in a laid-back fishing village along Ghana’s coast, where the ocean breeze and sound of waves create a peaceful rhythm. History lives in the air: echoes of trade, resilience and tradition shape daily life. From colorful textiles to the beat of local music, tradition is everywhere. You’ll connect with a warm, vibrant community rooted in history and shaped by a strong sense of identity.
On GLA’s Ghana: Roots of West Africa program you will:
- Develop educational resources that will be used to tutor children at a local primary school
- Help build and refurbish school facilities
- Gain an understanding of different people’s traditions along the Volta Lake and immerse yourself in practices that have stood the test of time
- Discuss current social issues facing Ghana’s educational access
- Learn traditional African dance, batik fabric dyeing and how to play drums and percussion instruments
- Explore outdoor markets, visit striking and historic sites, experience a scenic waterfall and hike in nature
Program Menu
GHANA
ROOTS OF WEST AFRICA
Community Service
Schools in Ghana are lively places where learning and community spirit go hand in hand. You’ll be part of that rhythm by supporting students as they build confidence in English through practice, conversation and encouragement. You and your team will also collaborate with teachers to create materials that support students who benefit from more one-on-one attention.
Your time outside the classroom is all about pitching in: painting, repairing classrooms and refreshing shared spaces where lessons happen and games unfold every day. The time you spend split between teaching and hands-on work gives you a window into how much care goes into keeping education strong in Ghana. When the final bell rings, you’ll head to the soccer field too, kicking up dust and calling for the ball.
Hands-on Learning
The best way to understand a place is to take part in what people do every day. Pick up a few words in the local language by using them as you go. Get your hands into batik dyeing with local artists, applying wax and indigo to create patterns on cloth, and feel the energy in a drumming session as you learn the rhythm. Visit a seamstress to choose fabric and have clothing made in Ghanaian style. You’ll take part in a naming ceremony, witnessing how deeply names connect to family and identity. You’ll hear from people who speak openly about gender roles, education, and what’s changing in daily life.
Adventure
Adventure in Ghana means getting out and exploring what makes this place so full of life. Wander through local markets, where you’ll find energy and conversation at every turn. Join local dancing and drumming workshops and learn how the music comes together through story and creative expression. Back at Home Base, join the staff in the kitchen for a hands-on cooking lesson that ends with everyone sharing a meal together. Then head into the countryside for a hike through lush scenery and a visit to one of Ghana’s tallest waterfalls.
Lodging & Meals
The Home Base for the 21-day program is located in Anloga. Accommodations are basic, clean and safe. Students sleep in gender-segregated rooms with roommates, and have access to shared bathrooms with cold-water showers.
Ghanaian cuisine has traditional dishes from each ethnic group, tribe and clan, and GLA cooks at Home Base will provide many options for you to sample. Ghanaian staples are mostly vegetarian, including rice, beans, and fresh vegetables. We will also have fresh fish and seafood.
GHANA
ROOTS OF WEST AFRICA
Dates & Tuition
21-Day Program
2026 Session Dates
June 27 – July 17, 2026
Program Details
Tuition Includes All In-Country Expenses
Airport pick-up/drop-off
In-country transportation
Lodging
3 meals per day
Professional full-time staff and experts
24/7 parent support hotline during program
Secondary medical and evacuation insurance
Cultural activities, lectures and excursions
Pre-departure materials and support
Educational materials
An application fee and $600 deposit are required
to hold your spot on-program.
Backed by our 5-Point Safety System™
GLA HOME BASE:
SAFE & SECURE LODGING
CARING SUPERVISION &
EXPERT LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
SAFE
TRANSPORTATION
HEALTHY FOOD
& PURE WATER
24/7 SUPPORT &
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Recommended by Students and Parents
“This trip was truly life changing. I loved everything about it from beginning to end. The people were awesome, the kids even better, and it was a truly enriching cultural experience in addition to being a valued service project.”
Brady | Student | 2016
GHANA
ROOTS OF WEST AFRICA
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