Law & Human Rights in Ghana with Projects Abroad

  Ghana

• Accra: 
Accra

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: All Year Round (you set the start and end dates)

Description: Ghana is one of the most stable and well-governed African nations. However, life in its capital city, Accra, is far removed from any North-American or European city. Our Human Rights project offers interns the unique opportunity to get involved at a grass roots level by raising awareness of human rights in a variety of marginalized communities and at risk groups.

Interns work at the Projects Abroad Human Rights Office in Accra where your precise role will be determined by your level of experience and interest in specific areas. All interns will get the opportunity to work on worthwhile projects within a structured program. Interning on the human rights project in Ghana will give you first hand experience in human rights practice in Africa.

Internships are ideal if you're a law student or a graduate seeking practical experience in human rights. The work is also suitable if you're interning as a pre-university student or have a general interest in human rights. The experiences you will have while interning in Ghana will enhance any resume.

We offer an expanding range of human rights law schemes in Ghana, West Africa, to volunteers interested in human rights and social issues in the developing world.

Even if your knowledge of practical law is limited, you'll do far more than make the tea. You just need to be able to communicate well and work hard.

Placements at the Human Rights Advocacy Center, based in Accra, Ghana's capital city - offer unique legal work and cultural experiences. You'll become involved in programmes including children's rights, reproductive health, election monitoring, and police accountability and reform.

Placements are certainly demanding and must be taken seriously; in working for the Human Rights Advocacy Center, you are representing a professional organisation. You will sometimes have deadlines and you may be asked to represent Human Rights Advocacy Center at meetings, fact finding missions and other events.

Typically your placement will involve several elements such as preparing media features, raising awareness in rural communities, providing free legal advice, preparing parliamentary submissions, attending court to monitor and report on proceedings, and producing research reports or questionnaires.

You'll also be encouraged to make good use of the local media by writing articles on social themes, or even appearing in radio debates! At other times you might visit community groups to give advice on specific civil-rights aspects. There is plenty for you to become involved with and you will definitely be kept busy!

Highlights: Living in vibrant, colourful Ghana will feel like an explosion; an enchanting sensory overload. Music is a central part of Ghanaian culture, so in the bigger towns - especially Accra - you will hear some great live bands and have some memorable nights out.

There are many, many attractions and places to visit. You will want to see the slave forts and spend a night in the rainforest at Kakum Rainforest Reserve, feed wild monkeys at The Boebeng Monkey Village or elephant watch at Mole National Park. If you're even more adventurous, consider the challenge of a journey to Timbuktu.

Travel across Ghana is cheap and easy, whether it be in a taxi, a tro-tro (a sort of minibus) or on a lake boat. There are clean, affordable places to stay and eat in all the main towns.

Ghana is a superb location for bird watching and is developing a good ecotourism philosophy. It's also an interesting place for history lovers and, once your overseas voluntary work is over, it's a great stepping-off point from which to explore West Africa.

Qualifications: No qualifications or experience are required.

Cost in US$: From USD 3,245 and up

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Open-minded with a desire to travel.

Age Range: 16-70

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ghana Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992