About Ghana: The coast of the small West African nation of Ghana, with its deserted beaches and picturesque fishing villages, is populated by some of the friendliest people on earth. Beginning in the 16th century and continuing for over 300 years, the West African slave trade carried hundreds of thousands of captives to the Americas. As commerce in gold and cocoa replaced the slave trade, British influence in the region increased, leading to the establishment of the Gold Coast colony. At the time of independence from Britain in 1957, Ghana was the most prosperous colony in Africa. In recent years, problems resulting from corruption and political conflict have interfered with economic growth. Today, the average Ghanaian family farms or fishes, lives in relatively primitive conditions, and confronts serious challenges in accessing education, health care, and adequate income. The recent, peaceful, democratic election, and the joyous visit by U.S. President Barack Ghana Obama, have renewed efforts for constructive change.

The Project: The group arrives in the capital city of Accra, and then heads west along the coast to their host village of Cape Three Points, located at the southernmost point of the coastline. Living conditions are very basic. The group’s meals, featuring rice, pasta, chicken, fish, fresh vegetables and fruit, are prepared by local women with the help of student cooking crews. Weekdays are spent working on projects alongside people from the village. Our projects for this summer will include helping with the construction of classrooms for a new high school, teaching in the local primary school, and learning about local agriculture in nearby fields with local farmers. After the work day is done, students have a chance to join in a pick-up game of soccer on the beach or learn Nzima, the local language. Afternoons also include West African drumming and dance instruction.

Weekends: On weekends the group travels to nearby points of interest including Busua Beach for surfing lessons and to Takoradi where students visit the local markets with their mountains of vegetables and brilliantly colored kente cloth stalls. The group also visits the Cape Coast Castle where students learn about the slave trade, and the nearby city of Elmina to participate in the festivities surrounding the Bakatue Festival in which all the local chiefs, resplendent in their gold and majestic cloth, gather to celebrate the opening of the lagoon. After saying goodbye to the village of Cape Three Points, the group travels east to the Volta Region for the chance to see baboons and monkeys. They visit the highest waterfall in Ghana, Wli Falls, before returning to Accra for their journey home.