Ghana's Business of Doing Good: Social Startups & Public Affairs —

Program Details

Program Eligibility

About Ghana's Business of Doing Good: Social Startups & Public Affairs

Located only a few degrees above the equator, Ghana is known for its lush forests, exotic animals, and secluded beaches. Over winter break, travel to Ghana to visit Accra, Kumasi, Senchi-Ferry, Elmina/Cape Coast, and areas near Accra, the capital city. Accra is situated along the Atlantic Ocean and is home to a colorful coastline, bustling markets, and lively nightlife. Develop a deeper understanding of social life and culture in Ghana by engaging with local professionals and organizations.

**COVID-19 Update as of 2/4: Program participants will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of travel to Ghana. In addition to obtaining a negative test prior to departure, each traveler must undergo a temperature screening and COVID-19 test upon arrival in Ghana conducted at the airport. This test carries a $150 fee per person and travelers must pay the fee online before departure. Proof of this payment must be presented to the airline prior to boarding. For return to the United States all program participants will need to provide a negative COVID-19 viral test within 72 hours of travel. Students will be subject to whatever health requirements Ghana has in place. Costs related to COVID-19 testing will be incurred by the individual student. 

For more information on our Learning Abroad Center COVID-19 updates & policies click here.

**The content of this webpage will be updated regularly. Check back for new information.

Housing & Meals

Stay in shared housing with other program participants.  A welcome and farewell meal as well as some additional meals are included in the program fee. 

Excursions

Excursions in Accra may include:

• Center for National Culture
• Aburi Botanical Gardens and Market
• Makola Market
• Ashesi University—which is a leader in undergraduate education in Africa whose mission is to educate ethical and entrepreneurial African leaders
• University of Ghana Legon—for lectures, workshops, and an intro to a Twi language course
• United States Embassy/USAID/PeaceCorps—learn about diplomacy and development projects in Ghana
• Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farms and the Aburi wood carving Village
• Various meetings with social entrepreneurs to be integrated through the seminar

Excursions in Cape Coast may include:

• Assin Manso Slave River with a guided tour and lecture on the significance during the transatlantic slave trade
• Elmina Castle and Museum—learn the history of Cape Coast and Elmina as trading lodges, headquarters of British colonial government, and use as a storage for enslaved people before they were transported across the Atlantic Ocean during the transatlantic slave trade 
• Kakum National Park
• Elmina Township Tour
• Global Mommas visit with workshops and mini service project
• A beach day 

Excursions in Kumasi may include:

• Manhyia Palace Museum
• Central Market (largest open-air market in West Africa) 
• Ntonso Adinkra Village
• Bonwire Kente Village
• Assin Manso Slave River
• Lecture on Traditional Governance
• Visit to a Social Enterprise
• Visit to a policy oriented organization/office

Excursions in Senchi Ferry may include:

• Akosombo—learn about how technological development affects the social infrastructure of this township
• Royal Senchi visit & cruise Volta Lake
• A heritage tour to the Akwamufie Bogyawe Palace, the Traditional seat of Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III
• Visit the Akwamu Palace Museum
• Visit with Ghana Scholarship Fund and presentation from youth—the Ghana Scholarship fund is a US-based nonprofit that provides funding for high school and university-level education for rural Ghanaians. 

Flight

All program participants are required to and responsible for booking their own round-trip flight through Village Travel, a local travel agency that the Learning Abroad Center works with. The  flight is listed as a cost that you will incur prior to departure and the Learning Abroad Center will notify confirmed participants of flight options to book through the travel agency.

Learning Outcomes

• Develop independence by challenging yourself in a new environment
• Function as an effective team member by utilizing your personal strengths in a group setting
• Explore a specific topic through experiential and interdisciplinary approaches

Faculty & Staff

This Global Seminar will be led by Simone Gbolo, M.A., M.Ed, the National Director of the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Program, a national nonprofit organization that promotes the inclusion and full participation of underrepresented groups in public service.

Program Structure

Coursework

Through lectures, panels, site visits, and excursions with speakers from a variety of institutions in Ghana, learn about Ghana's history, culture, and social life and gain an awareness of its social entrepreneur sector.

While abroad, you will maintain an academic journal to regularly reflect on your experiences. Participate in group discussions, complete required readings, prepare for field visits and guest speakers, and conduct mini service projects in a rural and urban community. Write reflective papers on the experiential components of the course.

Receive Credit for: PA 3852 (undergraduate students) or PA 5880 (graduate students)

Liberal Education Fulfillments: Global Perspectives, Social Sciences

Dates & Deadlines

Important Note: Enrollment on this program is limited to 16 students. Admission is granted on a rolling basis and applications are reviewed in the order they are completed. Some programs may fill to capacity prior to the application deadline, therefore applying early is recommended. Additionally, applying early will allow for more time to plan ahead and prepare for the program.

Orientation Dates & Locations

Fees for Ghana's Business of Doing Good: Social Startups & Public Affairs

May 2021 Cost of Participation 

Program fees can vary widely due to location, cost of living, airfare, and program inclusions. The program fee generally includes tuition, airport transfers, in-country program related transportation, housing, some meals, entrances to course-related excursions and site visits, program administration, and international health insurance. You must also budget for the international flight, passport and passport photos, the required visa, some meals, textbooks, miscellaneous living expenses, and Yellow Fever vaccination. Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is required upon arrival in Ghana. 

The Learning Abroad Center has worked with Village Travel to identify a coordinated flight that program participants will travel on together. You can view the coordinated flight itinerary here. We will notify confirmed program participants of when they should book this flight and at that point you will be responsible for booking it through Village Travel. The Cost of Participation lists the estimated flight cost in the Estimated Additional Expenses box. Please note that the flight cost is subject to change.

Billing & Payments

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Bridging Loan

Cancellation Policy

Prepare

Submit

Complete

Next Steps

For this program you will need to have your passport in order to file for the required visa for Ghana. We request that you have your passport in hand by March 1st, 2021. The Learning Abroad Center will then help you file for your visa around this time.