Kumasi, Ghana

Summary
Live and volunteer in Ghana's "Garden City" and the land of Ashanti culture.

Programs

   • Teaching
   • Orphanages
   • Healthcare
   • Journalism

Overview
Kumasi is the second largest city in Ghana, with over 1.5 million people. Located in the Ashanti Region, Kumasi takes about four hours to reach from Accra. Kumasi is on the regular tourist circuit along with Accra and Cape Coast. The Kumasi area is dominated by the Ashanti tribe, for whom the city holds a special place in their history: It was here that Okomfo Anokye received the Golden Stool, an embodiment of the soul of the Ashanti nation. The city is a mix of urban and a laidback atmosphere, especially on the outskirts of the city.

Getting There
Our local Ghana Coordinator will accompany you from Accra to Kumasi. It takes about four hours, depending on the traffic leaving Accra as well as traffic volume into Kumasi which can be heavy in the evenings. You will take public transport, either on a government bus or a "trotro" which is a minivan that carries about 12 people. If you are not used to road travel in Africa, the ride can seem harrowing, with buses, cars, and trotros passing each other at breakneck speed on two-lane highways that have their share of potholes and dust.

Language
Twi is the main language in Kumasi. However as in the rest of Ghana, English is widely spoken.

Accommodations
Volunteers in Kumasi stay with a local Ghanaian host family. They will provide you with your own room, all meals, include you in family activities, and generally help you adjust to and learn about their culture and country. Our families can host more than one volunteer at a time, so you can stay in the same house with your friend(s) or partner. Orphanage volunteers also have the option of living at the orphanage itself. As with the accommodations throughout Ghana, there is rarely hot water, and we recommend sleeping with a mosquito net.

Meals
The staple of Ghanaian meals is a doughy ball made from mashed corn, casava, or yam. It's starchy and tasteless but fills you up. The different varieties are called banku, fufu, and kenke. It's accompanied by palm nut soup with meat or fish. They'll usually forgo utensils and eat it with their hand (right hand only). Your host family will appreciate your trying it by hand at least once. Vegetarians are easily accommodated by our host families, with rice, fruit, and a wide variety of beans available. The more popular local fruits include plantains, pineapples, and oranges.

Communications
Mobile phones are widely available in Kumasi. You can buy and activate a mobile phone for about 40 USD from one of the many mobile phone shops in town. You can also bring your mobile phone from home and buy a local SIM chip to get a local Ghana number. However, keep in mind that this will not work with American phones which are "locked" by the carriers so that they will not work abroad. For Internet, there are numerous Internet shops in and around Kumasi for both Internet access and international phone calls.

Transportation
While you are in Kumasi, you will likely be within walking distance to the place where you will volunteer. However you can take a taxi which will cost you less than $1 USD for a round-trip ride. We recommend that volunteers buy an inexpensive bicycle ($30 USD) to both commute and visit nearby towns.

Health & Safety
Kumasi is very safe in terms of personal safety as well as health. The most common ailment is an upset stomach as you adjust to the food and water. You cannot drink tap water -- Only drink bottled/boiled water. You must also avoid mosquito bites in order to prevent malaria which can be fatal if untreated. Fortunately, there large hospitals in Kumasi that can treat serious illnesses.

Climate/Weather
Kumasi is hot and dry. Daytime temperatures range from 28-35 C (82-96 F) throughout the year.

Sightseeing & Activities
Definitely check out the Kejetia Central Market, one of the largest markets in Africa. Another major attraction is the National Cultural Center, which contains a museum of Ashanti history, a popular library, an excellent crafts shop and an exhibition hall. Also, even if you're not a sports fan, try to catch a football match at Kumasi Stadium. In rural villages outside of Kumasi, you will find many artisans making and selling kente cloth, pottery, and woodworking.