Ghana

A place to find community

See Programs

Ghana is an ideal place to explore fresh fruit and vegetable markets, taste the delicious fried plantains seasoned with chili pepper and ginger, and stroll busy streets in a country where the sun almost always shines. Women wrapped in colorful West African fabrics and people playing draughts (a game similar to checkers) in courtyards or cafés provide just a slice of the diverse Ghanaian people. There are 52 ethnic groups in the ten regions of this country—making it easy to find a variety of traditional festivals and ceremonies to attend.

Whether at the stadium or in front of TV, you’ll enjoy spending time with your friends watching soccer, volleyball, track-and-field, boxing, or basketball. Ghanaian dancing music is known as highlife, influenced by jazz and other Western music, played on guitars and horns.

Country Highlights:
  • Warm and friendly people
  • Beautiful beaches and landscape
  • Communal way of living
  • Historic castles and forts
  • National game parks

Host Family & Community

Most likely you will live in Accra, the cultural and commercial capital of Ghana. Your family will probably be large, with several generations living in the same home or compound. Although Ghanaians tend to be laid-back, families may be quite strict with their children. You will find a strong sense of community and great respect for the elderly. Young people refer to adults as “auntie” and “uncle” (or “grandma” and “grandpa” for older people). Outdoor dining is popular, with families cooking meals and socializing in the courtyard.

Language

English is the official language spoken in Ghana, but the country has over 80 languages! Of those 80, the most widely spoken are those in the Akan language group. Living with a Ghanaian family is the ultimate way to soak up local language and culture.

Food

Green and yellow chillies in baskets at a market

Food in Ghana tends to be hot and spicy, with ingredients like yams, maize, beans, plantains and rice. You should taste some of the street foods sold from metal bowls perched on top of the vendors’ heads. Popular Ghanaian dishes include fufu (a dough-like combination of plantains and cassava), Ghanaian red-red (beans, shrimp or prawns, red palm oil, and tomatoes), and custard melkkos (custard with cinnamon).

School

You may have a choice of high schools: an academic high school, a vocational or a technical school. Classes start at 7 am and taught in English, even though that won’t be the first language of most of your classmates. Your studies will focus on four core subjects: English, math, integrated science and social studies. After school and on the weekends, you will be encouraged to join a volunteer project.

Ghana fashion

Programme information coming soon!

AFS NZ offers school exchanges and 18+ volunteer programmes to Ghana. More details coming soon, enquire now for 2025!

Enquire now

Let AFS guide your intercultural adventure

With over 75 years of experience in student exchanges, we know what we’re doing when it comes to support and education! AFS provides comprehensive orientation for all students and families before, during and after your exchange – AFS volunteers and staff will be there to support and guide you the whole way through. In-person orientation camps in New Zealand and your host country are supplemented by our world-leading online Student Learning Journey, an interactive course that brings AFSers from around the world together to develop essential global skills, learn intercultural communication techniques, and practice social impact. This journey will help you maximise your experience, cope with the challenges of navigating a new culture and community, and gain knowledge, skills, and a global understanding throughout your time abroad and as you return to your home country. Find out more about our educational expertise here!

Explore the Programmes Available in Ghana