Plan Your Trip to Ghana

SYTO receives participants all year round. Apply by email at least six weeks before arrival.

• Send your application to SYTO Ghana at least six weeks before arrival
• Include a CV, two references, four passport photos, and copies of certificates
• Placement and accommodation are confirmed at least three weeks before you travel

A SYTO representative meets you at Kotoka International Airport and transfers you to your accommodation.

• Look for a SYTO representative with a red-on-white SYTO sign in the arrival hall
• If you can't find us, wait for the crowds to clear and call 020 234 0816
• Be polite and patient with customs, and avoid strangers offering to help

A two-day orientation in Accra and your host region prepares you for life and work in Ghana.

• Airport pickup, accommodation, and food on your first day
• Sessions on culture, language, safety, health, money, and transport
• A city tour of Accra, a tour of your host area, and a local cooking session

The local currency is the cedi. Bring cash or a Visa card; sterling and dollars are easy to exchange.

• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash
• Banks and forex bureaux operate in all regional capitals
• Banking hours are 08:30–16:00, Monday to Friday

Bring your mobile phone and buy a local SIM; reload units at phone-card stands nationwide.

• A local SIM costs around $2; top-ups run $5–15
• Stamps are available at all local post offices
• The postal system is slow, letters can take up to two weeks

Travel is affordable. Explore on weekends and after your placement, within Ghana or beyond.

• VANEF STC, VIP, and GPRTU coaches link Accra to the regions
• Trotros (mini buses) and shared or chartered taxis are widely available
• Domestic airlines operate; courier services (DHL, FedEx, UPS) are present

Take health seriously. Start malaria prophylaxis before departure and carry a medical kit.

• Begin anti-malaria medication one week before travel and continue after
• Use a treated mosquito net, repellent, and cover up after dusk
• Drink at least 2 litres of bottled, boiled, or sachet water daily
• Report any fever, loss of appetite, or headache to a doctor promptly

You'll live in an approved home-stay with a local family, with meals included on weekdays and weekends.

• Two meals a day are included with your host family
• Accommodation has basic furnishings; some areas may lack running water or power
• Families help you treat drinking water to keep costs down