Ghana Politics & History Tour
Trip Length: 12 days
Dates: Available year-round
Group Size: 8-15
Minimum Age: 15
Program Fee: $3,285 + airfare
Our Ghana Politics & History Tour is geared toward students with interests in political science and the culture and history of West Africa. The tour is a unique way to become immerses students into Ghanaian culture and society.
The tour features institutional visits, meetings with key politicians and journalists, actors from domestic and international bureaucracies, lobbying groups, business representatives, and the diplomatic arena. Students also experience the history and culture of Ghana through excursions to former slave castles, national parks and museums, rural villages and more.
Trip Highlights
- Accra capital city tour
- Cape Coast Castle tour
- Tour Parliament buildings & government branches
- Meetings with Ministers & MP’s on current issues
- Lectures by Ghanaian professors on Politics, History & Trade
- Meet a village tribal chief & council
- Volunteer at a children’s home
- Visit development projects
- Tamale Central Mosque tour
- Fishing village tour
- Ashanti Cultural Center
- Kejetia Market
- Day of fun at Labadi Beach
- Hike Kakum National Park w/ Canopy Walk
- Wildlife safari at Mole National Park
Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Departure Flight Group flight from NJ (EWR) to Accra (ACC) in Ghana Welcome & Orientation in Accra
Day 2: Accra Tour Parliament buildings Tour government branches Meetings with Ministers & members of Parliament
Day 3: Accra Lecture at University of Ghana Meetings with Ministers & MP’s Meet journalists covering government Travel to Cape Coast
Day 4: Cape Coast Cape Coast Castle tour Fishing village tour Lecture at University of Cape Coast
Day 5: Cape Coast Meetings with Ministers & MP’s Lecture at Univ of Cape Coast Visit HIV project Visit medical clinic Beach fun
Day 6: Cape Coast Volunteer at a children’s home Kakum National Park w/ Canopy Walk Travel to Kumasi
Day 7: Kumasi Ashanti Cultural Center tour Kejetia Market Travel to Tamale
Day 8: Tamale Tribal chief & council members Visit development projects Tamale Central Mosque tour
Day 9: Tamale Wildlife safari at Mole National Park Travel to Accra
Day 10: Accra National Theater performance Attend professional soccer match
Day 11: Accra Program wrap-up and farewells with our new friends from Ghana.
Day 12: Departure Flight for Home
Included in Program Fee
- Bilingual trip leaders
- 24-hour supervision and support
- All meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Private ground transportation
- Excursions & Activities
- Community Service program
- 3-4 star accommodations
- Academic Credit Trip
- Director from the US
- Travel & Medical Insurance
- T-shirt & bag
- Not Included: flights, visa, COVID test(s)
FAQ
Entry Requirements
See our Ghana page.
Travel
Our US Directors will fly with your group on a direct flight (approx. 9 hrs) from Newark NJ (EWR) to Kotoka International Airport in Accra (ACC). We will coordinate the flight date/time with your group leader(s).
Ground Travel
We use by private buses operated by our local partners.
Accommodations
Students will stay at 3-4 star hotels. Rooms are 2-3 students of the same gender per room. Shared bathrooms with hot water
Meals & Snacks
Meals will be mostly traditional local meals, with occasional fast food visits. Meals will feature rice, beans, chicken, fish, beef and tropical produce like corn, millet, plantains and cassava. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets are easily accommodated.
Water
Tap water is not safe to drink. We will provide bottled water daily.
Dress Code
Ghana is hot and humid year round so cool and comfortable is the best guideline. Modesty is required out of respect for Ghana’s conservative culture.
WIFI & Cell Phones
We encourage students to (mostly) disconnect in order to fully immerse themselves and get the most out of the trip. However all of our accommodations have WIFI. Most cell phone carriers have roaming plans if desired. Cell phone coverage can be spotty in rural areas.
Emergencies
Our trip leaders in Ghana are available 24 hours for any illnesses or injuries. There are modern hospitals and clinics in all of our program areas. Parents will have our 24 hour emergency number. We will also post daily updates on social media and our website.
Weather
The climate of Ghana is tropical with two main seasons: the wet and the dry seasons. North Ghana experiences its rainy season from April-October while South Ghana experiences its rainy season from March-November. Expect hot and humid days and nights (75-90 F) year round.
Language
English is one of Ghana’s official languages and widely spoken. Our trip leaders are multilingual in local languages including Akan (including Twi and Fante) and Ewe.
Laundry
You will have the opportunity to do your laundry 1-2 times at a cost of $4-$10 per load.