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
Sample Itinerary
Let’s take a sneak peek at what your program experience might look like this summer! Please note that the order of activities may differ for each program session. The details provided here represent a general outline of what you can anticipate, though community service projects and activities are subject to change based on the needs of our local community partners, cultural celebrations and traditions, weather conditions and the specific requirements of the student group.
Day 1: Arrival
Fly into Accra, Ghana, and meet a GLA staff member at the airport. Head to the Home Base to meet fellow students, settle in, and spend the day resting, learning some Ewe, exploring the area, and visiting the schools where we’ll serve.
Day 2: Getting Acquainted
We’ll spend the morning immersing ourselves in Ghanaian culture and getting to know the members of the local community. We’ll also learn about the history of Ghana and this particular community from a local leader.
Days 3-4: Service Orientation & Village Tour
Service begins! Today we’ll get oriented to our community projects, tour the village, and visit a market. Explore the town, visit a local church with beautiful music, and end the day around a bonfire as our group grows closer in Ghana.
Day 5: Host Family Visit
Today will be our first host family visit, getting to know real local families in the community and sharing cultural exchanges. We’ll also get the gift of a Ghanian naming ceremony so that you can continue to immerse in the Anlogan culture!
Days 6-8: Community Service
Each morning, we’ll rise with the village to serve the community—teaching, running educational games, or helping with construction projects. Afternoons are for adventures like visiting markets, cooking local dishes, or exploring nearby fishing villages.
Day 9: Batik Cloth Dyeing
Today, we’ll try Batik cloth dyeing, a traditional Ghanaian technique where wax-resistant dye creates patterns on fabric. With help from a local artisan, you’ll make your own Batik cloth to keep.
Days 10-11: Service Projects & Adventure
Continue projects at local schools and community sites. In the afternoons, explore Ghanaian culture and meet a local seamstress to create clothing from traditional fabrics. Evenings are for reflection with fellow students and mentors, plus inspiring documentaries on global issues.
Days 12-13: Ho Weekend Excursion
Spend the weekend in Ho, capital of the Volta Region, about three hours from Home Base. Try your hand at Kente weaving and shop for handmade cloth, ties, bags and more. The next day hike to a waterfall to relax by the water, then learn the art of batik cloth design before returning home.
Days 14-16: Service Continues
In our final week, we’ll spend time with children at the primary schools and reflect on how the past three weeks have changed you. We’ll say our goodbyes with a beach bonfire and farewell dinner to celebrate our accomplishments.
Day 17: Slavery In Our World
Over the weekend, students will connect with history at the Keta Slave Fort, one of 45 slave forts built by the Europeans along the West African coast during the 1500s. Learn about modern day slavery and human trafficking as we visit a non-profit focused on providing a safe haven for children freed from slavery. Take time to reflect and process these powerful experiences. How can we make a difference?
Days 18-19: Service & Farewell Celebration
Our final mornings will be spent with the children at the primary schools, wrapping up our projects and reflecting on the impact we’ve made together. Share laughter, stories and goodbyes with the students and teachers who’ve become part of your journey.
Day 20: Project Presentations & Farewell Dinner
Today, we’ll present our final projects, combining everything we’ve observed and learned in the field over the past three weeks. In the afternoon, we’ll engage in a final leadership activity before our farewell dinner with local partners and hosts.
Day 21: Departure
Alas, it’s time to exchange goodbyes with your Ghana family! After breakfast, our group will travel back to the airport in Accra, where GLA staff will help you check in for your flight and see you off for your journey home.
Program Map
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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