Earlier this summer, I had the privilege of joining my first brigade in Ghana! Having previously traveled to Panama, Honduras, and Belize, I was curious to compare my experiences in Central America with those in West Africa. The trip was nothing short of incredible, and I’m excited to highlight a few aspects that make our work in Ghana unique.
Partnership in Action: Expanding Care and Sanitation in Ghana
Similar to Central America, Medical Brigades in Ghana focus on providing care in under-resourced, rural areas. These communities often face a lack of adequate healthcare infrastructure, long commutes to healthcare facilities, and a shortage of properly trained medical staff and supplies. Limited public health infrastructure also exacerbates water-related health challenges. According to Oxfam, only 50% of the rural population has access to water, and in some areas, access to clean water is as low as 11%. This leads to high rates of waterborne illnesses such as typhoid and dysentery, as well as mosquito-transmitted diseases like malaria, which thrive in environments with improperly stored water.
To increase healthcare access under these circumstances, Global Brigades works closely with the Ghanaian government. While many communities may not have access to a hospital or doctor, many do have access to the Community-based Health Planning and Services Program (CHPS), or “chips”. Through this program, community health workers are trained to provide services such as health education, triaging, and midwifery. Each brigade provides local doctors, dentists, and pharmacists to collaborate with the community health workers. This model allows us to provide health services that are not otherwise available, while also supporting and improving existing healthcare structures.
A sustainable component of Medical Brigades is educational workshops
In addition to the services provided during the Brigade, we also set up a station to help community members enroll in national insurance for future healthcare needs. National insurance in Ghana is free, but many rural families are not registered due to a lack of education on how to register, illiteracy, and/or limited access to the technology and resources needed to complete the registration process.
Beyond medical clinics, I also had the opportunity to spend a few days with a Public Health Brigade. Volunteers worked on building eco-toilets as part of Ghana’s Public Health Program, which aims to help the community of Ekumpoano become Open Defecation Free within two years through education and access to affordable sanitation. Students also collaborated with masons, carpenters, and plumbers—to partition existing bathrooms in households and install pour-flush water closet toilets with septic tanks. The design builds on what homes already have, keeping costs low while ensuring safe, hygienic toilets, without requiring an added superstructure. Think of it as upgrading the plumbing without needing to construct a brand-new bathroom.. Alongside construction, volunteers lead hygiene education in schools and provide households with practical guidance on using their toilets.
Brigades might have special stations like optometry that take care one step deeper
Ghana Beyond the Clinics: From Celebration to Reflection
A brigade to Ghana offers ample opportunities to explore the local culture. Each day, we sampled a variety of traditional Ghanaian dishes, prepared fresh at the lodge, and enjoyed a traditional dance performance one evening. We also spent an afternoon touring Cape Coast Castle, a former slave trading port on the Gold Coast. The tour was eye-opening, heartbreaking, and haunting—a deeply enriching and sobering reminder of the resilience of the Ghanaian people and the importance of learning from history.
Volunteers get to immerse themselves in Ghanaian culture to learn more about the context of the country.
Taking the Leap: How to Prepare for Ghana
One of the most common concerns volunteers have about going on a brigade to Ghana is the increased planning and logistics involved. While it does require additional preparation compared to Central America, I’m here to reassure you that Medical Brigades is fully equipped to support you throughout the process. With a little organization, you can make it happen! Here are a few tips to help you make the leap to Ghana:- Flights: Getting to Ghana is easier than you think. Direct flights to Accra leave from Atlanta (ATL), Washington D.C. Dulles (IAD), and New York (JFK), or you can connect through one of these hubs for a smooth journey.
- Visa: While obtaining a visa requires some organization, it’s a fairly straightforward process. We have a detailed guide here to help you through it.
- Vaccines: The yellow fever vaccine is required to travel to Ghana, but you can typically find it at a local pharmacy. It lasts for 10 years, so you’ll be set for any future trips!
Final Thoughts
Volunteering in Ghana reminded me that true impact happens when we come together—students, communities, and local leaders, working side by side. The experiences I had will stay with me for life, and I know the work we contributed to will continue long after we left. For any student thinking about joining a Brigade, Ghana is not just a destination; it’s an opportunity to be part of meaningful, lasting change.
Ready to experience it for yourself? Join a Brigade to Ghana and be part of the movement for lasting change.
Together, we’ve empowered 1 million people. The next million starts now.
