Safety in Ghana
In an Emergency
You will always be with a Thrive Africa Employee so you should contact them if an emergency occurs. If you do however need to contact us in the UK you can call us on 020 3239 8040 9-5 Monday to Friday (This number will direct you to another out of hours number at any other time).
Your team leader is first aid qualified and full risk assessments have been completed before your arrival.
Thrive Africa has good relations with private clinics across Ghana, meaning we have access to prompt medical testing facilities in case of a volunteers sickness.
Is Ghana Safe?
Like most countries around the world there’re places which are safe and unsafe, you’ll be staying in a small safe community to the north east of Kumasi.
Since our establishment we haven’t experienced any situations which have endangered our volunteers, we still take precautions and volunteers safety is our major priority.
Theft of electronic devices and money is common in tourist locations so we advise all volunteers to take extra caution and to not leave valuables out of sight and carry money/important documents in a travel wallet.
How to stay safe while volunteering
1: Be vigilant
Be aware of what is going on around you. Be especially careful at night, on public transport and in crowded areas, and avoid being on your own or walking in poorly lit, quiet areas.
Keep an eye on your property all the time. If you use a small rucksack, wear it on your front, so the pockets are less accessible. If you use a handbag, make sure it has a long strap so you can wear it across your body. When sitting down, keep your bag on your lap, or wrap the strap around your feet.
3: Travel light
Avoid taking expensive cameras, ipods or mobile phones away with you. These are not everyday things in many countries. If you do carry gadgets, be very careful not to flash them about and be aware that they can attract attention.
Do not carry more money than you have to. If you can take a pre-paid card or have the money sent to you as and when you need it. If you are on the move, do not carry all the money in one place: spread it about your person (e.g. in a money-belt) and your luggage so that if anything is taken you still have enough cash to get home.
You don’t need to take all your credit or debit cards out every day. Leave one somewhere safe (e.g. locked in your room) so that if your wallet is stolen you still have access to funds.
5: Look after each other
If you have a travelling companion, keep an eye on each other and each other’s property, particularly if you have been drinking or if one of you is unwell. It is always safer to travel together, even if that means waiting at a party you aren’t enjoying, or leaving earlier than you really want to.
Be aware of the risk of sexual assault and sexual harassment. Look out for your friends and take steps to avoid putting yourself at risk. Different cultures have different rules of engagement, and flirting can easily be misinterpreted.
7: Do take expert advice
Listen to local advice about how to behave and which places are safe to go to. Check the Foreign Office ‘Know Before You Go’ website regularly and don’t venture into any no-go areas. When you have been abroad for a long time, you can become over-confident, but you are just as vulnerable at the end of your gap year as at the beginning. You may have picked up a few words of the local language, but this doesn’t turn you into an expert or a local.
9: Put yourself first
If you are the victim of a theft, do not fight or protest, especially if there is a weapon involved. Hand over what is being requested and get away as fast as you can. Your camera can be replaced; you cannot. Make a noise to attract attention and help, but do not try to pursue your attacker; they may lead you into areas or situations that are even more dangerous.
Find a police station as soon as you can and report the incident. Even if there is no chance of your attacker being caught, you should still get a police report, as this could be essential for insurance claims.
2: Be adaptable
Behave in a way that fits the local culture as much as possible. Dress appropriately; anything low-cut, tight or revealing may be unacceptable locally and can draw unwanted attention to you. The same goes for political or provocative slogans.
Be aware that smoking or drinking may not be socially acceptable, particularly for women. Think about how it is culturally appropriate for the different sexes to interact and try to follow this, if you don’t adapt, you can send out dangerous signals and stand out as a target.
4: Make a plan
You’ll be with a Thrive Africa representative at all times, however, in a circumstance where you may not be, Think ahead. In any new situation, work out what the risks are likely to be and how you can reduce them. If you find yourself in trouble shouting ‘thief’ will draw lots of attention to you and you’ll find local people will leap to your defence.
6: Look after your home
Whether you are staying in one place for a while, or moving around, it pays to look after your accommodation and work out what the risks are in advance. Many dangers can be reduced with a little caution. – Be aware of exits and escape routes in case of fire – Lock the doors when you are out and conceal any valuables. – If you are staying in a hostel, check that the bedroom doors lock.
Sleep wearing your money belt or with money under your pillow. – Check the building so that you are aware of any dangers such as exposed wires and potential carbon monoxide or other gas leaks. – Don’t let anyone you don’t know into your accommodation.
8: Don’t take unnecessary risks
You can still go bungee jumping, but getting into a car with a drunk driver is a risk too far.
Avoid drinking too much. You are far more vulnerable and less able to protect yourself when under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Hitch-hiking may be normal in the country you are visiting, but it is extremely unadvisable. Never hitch on your own and avoid making long journeys or entering the home of someone you do not know by yourself.
10: Don’t panic
Think about the support networks you have available; friends, family, Thrive Africa representative, the Foreign Office, and use them. If you are the victim of a crime during your trip, make sure it is reported.
If something does happen, don’t feel guilty, it is not your fault. It isn’t unusual to feel upset, afraid or depressed after you have been the victim of a crime, but there is advice and support available.
Try to avoid making snap decisions immediately after the event. It is natural to want to go home when something unpleasant has happened, but most situations can be resolved locally and you could regret a hastily-made decision to cut your experience of a lifetime short.
