About Ghana

Although Ghana has made great progress in education in recent years, many children and young people still do not have equal access to good-quality education and extracurricular activities. Especially in poorer and rural areas, poverty, limited resources and a shortage of teachers are a challenge. As a result, many young people do not get the opportunities they need to develop their talents to the full.

Our project takes place in the rural village of Tinkong, just north of the capital Accra. In this community many young people have few prospects. With a lack of sporting and development opportunities, they spend a lot of time on the street and often lack motivation and a sense of future. Together with our local partner Live Now Foundation, we use sport as a powerful way to get young people moving and encourage their personal development. Sport is not only fun, it also builds important skills such as teamwork, communication, discipline, leadership and self-confidence.

In our programme, children and young people who would normally have no access to structured sport get weekly sports lessons. Our location also has its own football academy that plays in Ghana’s second tier. Talented young people get the chance to develop at a high level under professional coaching. The ultimate goal is not to turn them into professional footballers, but to give them a positive environment, structure and prospects. For many young people the football academy is a source of motivation, both on and off the pitch.

Tinkong

In Ghana an estimated one in five people lives below the poverty line. Especially in rural areas, many young people have limited access to education, sport and other opportunities for development. By using sport for personal development, we build their self-confidence, talents and prospects. In this way we help young people create opportunities in their own surroundings and contribute to a strong and resilient community. In Tinkong and Koforidua too, we use sport to give young people from vulnerable neighbourhoods structure, motivation and positive things to do in their free time.

As a volunteer you make a valuable contribution to this. You deliver sports lessons, support children and young people in their development and work closely with the local community. Whether you are active in bustling Koforidua or rural Tinkong, your efforts make a visible difference in the lives of the young people you work with.

Sport in Ghana

Sport plays an important role in Ghanaian society. Football is by far the most popular sport in Ghana and has a huge following. Ghana’s national team is known as the “Black Stars” and has a rich history in international football. Besides football, other sports also get plenty of attention in Ghana. Volleyball, athletics and boxing, for example, are also very popular.

Ghana also has a strong tradition of traditional sports and games. A well-known traditional game is “lukasa” or “awalé”, a board game widely played in the country’s villages and communities.

Overall, sport has a positive influence on the people of Ghana. It offers opportunities for physical activity, competition, entertainment and community building. It is a source of pride for many Ghanaians and has contributed to the country’s success and recognition at international sporting events.

Apply
Sports volunteering Ghana

Internship Ghana

ATHLETICS COACH

In Ghana it is not easy to develop as an athlete. Schools receive little money for sports activities, and there is no athletics club nearby. The ambition is therefore to set one up ourselves. This is where you as a volunteer athletics coach can make a huge difference. Some experience in the sport is of course useful.

Our athletics programmes are based in and around Tinkong. As a volunteer athletics coach you are placed at schools in the local community. The athletes are between 10 and 16 years old and vary in talent and experience. You will be surprised, however, by the levels of speed, strength and endurance many of the children have. The young athletes train hard and dream of being the next athlete to represent Ghana at the Olympic Games or World Championships.

The main aim is to give more young people the chance to train in a fun and structured environment. This gives them the opportunity to belong to a team, enjoy sport and develop in athletics events. Examples of events you can coach are listed below.

  • Long jump
  • High jump
  • Triple jump
  • Shot put
  • Javelin
  • Discus
  • 100m sprint
  • 200m sprint
  • 400m sprint
  • 800m
  • 1500m
  • 3000m
  • Marathon

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

During your project you support our local coaches in training sessions. You will find the young athletes are eager to learn. The rewards are great, because the talent is often there but experience of a structured training environment is missing. Through strength and conditioning work, the athletes develop quickly.

And you are not left on your own. You work with our local team and our other volunteer sports coaches. Together with the other coaches you can also organise sports days, where schools and athletes come together to compete in a fun and competitive setting. It is not just the athletes who compete: we know from experience that the rivalry between volunteers can get pretty heated too.

Volunteering Ghana

volunteering Ghana

BASKETBALL COACH

Basketball is seen as the next up-and-coming sport in Ghana. There is an abundance of talent in the country, and the Ghana Basketball Association (GBA) has worked hard to build a training and development programme. A role as a volunteer basketball coach gives you the chance to be part of the training and matches of some of Ghana’s best athletes.
That is only one side of the game, though, and you can choose how involved you want to be. You can of course also focus on young, enthusiastic players at a more relaxed level, where the emphasis is on fun and making friends.

We have links with a number of local schools and division teams at various levels. We work closely with the Ghana Basketball Association and can place basketball coaches at the better training camps, if that appeals to you.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

If you are involved with a local team, it is up to you how much responsibility you want to take on. Volunteers are usually placed in fun, social teams where they teach players to play as a team. By introducing the basic skills, you will soon see the young athletes improve their game. We want volunteers to get as involved as possible with their teams and the competition. You receive guidance and support from the local coaches, who involve you in training and matches. You are of course welcome to bring in your own ideas, we would love that! Think of organising tournaments for your team and designing your own sessions. Volunteers should remember, however, that there are no high expectations of producing world-class players! We simply want you to make the game fun and enjoyable while making the players feel they belong!

Rugby training at a sports project in Ghana by The Power of Sports

Rugby training at a sports project in Ghana by The Power of Sports

RUGBY COACH

Rugby is a growing sport in Ghana and is gaining popularity in communities such as Tinkong. Although the sport is still relatively new, many young people show huge passion and aptitude for rugby. With limited resources and little structural support, there is a great need for coaches who want to share their knowledge and make a difference. As a volunteer rugby coach you get the chance to make the sport more accessible and have a lasting impact. Rugby experience is useful, but enthusiasm and commitment matter most.

Our rugby programmes are based in and around Tinkong. As a volunteer you work at local schools and coach youth teams. The players are between 10 and 16 years old and vary in experience, from beginners to talented young people who dream of a professional rugby career. You will be amazed by their physical strength, speed and dedication to the sport.

The aim of our programme is to give young people the chance to play rugby in a safe and structured environment. This lets them be part of a team, develop discipline and learn to work together. Rugby is also a great way to build confidence and inspire them to push their limits, on and off the pitch.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

As a volunteer rugby coach you support local coaches in organising and running training sessions and matches. You help develop basic skills such as tackling, passing, running and scrum technique. You also teach the players tactical thinking and teamwork, which are essential for success in rugby.

As well as regular training, you get the chance to organise tournaments or sports days, where different schools and teams come together to show off their skills. These events are a highlight not only for the players but also for the volunteers, who often get just as passionately involved in the matches.
Football training at a sports project in Ghana by The Power of Sports

Football training at a sports project in Ghana by The Power of Sports

FOOTBALL COACH

Football is the most popular sport in Ghana, and Tinkong is no different. In this rural village we have strong ties with the local community and a special focus on developing young footballers through our own football academy, the Live Now Academy. The academy offers young people a unique chance to develop their talent and take their first steps towards a possible career in top-level football.
We welcome volunteers with every level of football experience and make sure everyone finds a suitable place. Whether you are an enthusiastic amateur or a qualified, recognised coach, anyone with a passion for the game and a wish to make a difference is very welcome. As long as you have a basic knowledge of football and kick a ball around now and then, you have enough skills to help. Enthusiasm and commitment are the most important qualities for success. Many of our volunteers have little or no coaching experience, yet still make a real contribution to the game and to the young people’s personal development.
In Tinkong, volunteers are assigned to team members within the Live Now football academy. Tinkong works closely with the schools, both the primary schools and the junior high schools (ages 12 to 16). You will be amazed at the skill, passion and sheer dedication you find here. The Live Now Academy in Tinkong has already produced several young players who dream of a professional football career, in Ghana and abroad.
As a volunteer you help coach young people who not only have the talent to break through but also a deep love of the game. The Live Now Academy has its own team, which plays in the second division of the Eastern Region.
Football coaching in Tinkong goes beyond serious drills and tactical focus. It gives young people the chance to work together, experience structure and be part of a team. That sense of belonging is crucial, not only for their development as footballers but also for their personal growth. As a coach you play an important role in creating a safe and supportive environment in which young people can develop both
on the pitch and socially.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

As a football coach in Tinkong you are responsible for leading training sessions and matches for your assigned team. This may feel daunting at first, but you will soon find the experience enormously rewarding. The talent is there in abundance, but what is often missing is experience of team structure and game strategy. By introducing the basics of team play, movement and positioning, you will see your team quickly grow and
develop.

You are not on your own, though. You work closely with our local team, experienced coaches and other volunteers. This collaboration creates an inspiring and motivating environment, and the rivalry between the volunteers can sometimes get quite passionate! Thanks to your efforts, young people in Tinkong get the chance not only to chase their football dreams but also to gain skills and experiences
that will help them for the rest of their lives.

Volleyball training at a sports project in Ghana by The Power of Sports

Volleyball training at a sports project in Ghana by The Power of Sports

Volleyball training at a sports project in Ghana by The Power of Sports

VOLLEYBALL COACH

In Ghana it is not easy to develop as a volleyball player. Schools have little budget for sports activities, and volleyball clubs are scarce. Our ambition is therefore to give young people in Tinkong and the surrounding area the chance to develop in this sport in a structured environment. As a volunteer volleyball coach you can make a huge difference. Some volleyball experience is useful, but enthusiasm and commitment matter most.

Our volleyball programmes take place in and around Tinkong. As a volunteer you coach at local schools and support youth teams in the community. The players are between 10 and 16 years old and vary in talent and experience. You will be amazed, however, by their perseverance, energy and eagerness to learn. Many of these young players dream of playing at national level and perhaps even representing Ghana in international competitions.

The main aim of our programme is to give more young people the chance to play volleyball in a fun and structured environment. They learn to work together, become part of a team and develop their volleyball skills. The sport also contributes to their personal growth and social skills.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

As a volunteer volleyball coach you support our local coaches during training and matches. You help develop skills such as passing, setting, attacking and serving, and you teach the players the basics of team strategy and communication on court. With your help we create a structured and challenging training environment in which young people can make the most of their talents.

As well as regular training, you get the chance to organise sports days where schools and teams come together to compete in a friendly but competitive atmosphere. Not only the players but also the volunteers often get enthusiastically involved in these events, creating an inspiring and energetic atmosphere.

Accommodation

On the edge of the village of Tinkong lies the extensive compound, around 2 hectares in size. It houses the football academy (with its own gym), the school, the day centre for children with disabilities, a large training pitch and the volunteer house. We run a broad development programme here, with sport as a major part. Tinkong is our base, and from there you can easily travel to Accra or Koforidua.

The friendly family house can accommodate up to around 15 volunteers and interns at a time. There are two bedrooms with two bunk beds each, plus several rooms with large beds. The 35 boys of the neighbouring football academy also sleep in bunk beds.
The family house has a large, cosy living room with a big TV on which you can follow all the European leagues. In the kitchen-diner the volunteers sit together around a large oval table, where Kessiwa, the cook, cooks for everyone, although you can also fry your own egg.After dinner the board games often come out.

ARRIVAL WEEKENDS

In Ghana you can arrive any weekend. Please note that there are no sports projects during the Christmas holidays. Otherwise you can volunteer in Ghana all year round.

WHY THE POWER OF SPORTS

  • No registration fee and a no-obligation introductory call.
  • The project Akansie Tumidi (The Power of Sports in Twi) was set up by ourselves.
  • Our projects are affordable, especially when you see everything you get in return.
  • As a travel organisation that focuses entirely on social sports trips.
  • We tell you an honest story and assess whether you are suited to the project.
  • Our programmes are run responsibly and have a proven positive impact.
  • All our staff know our programmes abroad well.
  • We offer good personal support, both in the UK and abroad.
  • We are founders and members of the Volunteer Aware quality mark. With this we want to underline that our projects are rooted in a genuine commitment to a worthwhile cause.

How experienced do I need to be to volunteer?

None of our projects require you to have certificates or to have studied sport. As a volunteer you have a supporting role and you will never be on your own. We are not necessarily looking for Ghana’s next international; we want to help children from all social backgrounds develop socially and build life skills through sport. You give the next generation the chance to play sport in a fun and organised environment. So whatever your background and experience, you can be sure you are making a positive contribution by volunteering as a coach in Ghana.

What does matter is that you have a basic knowledge of the rules of the sport and, above all, plenty of enthusiasm. You do need to speak reasonable English and understand it well.

I am vegetarian. Will my dietary needs be taken into account?

If you let us know in advance that you are vegetarian, they can take this into account in Ghana and arrange suitable meals for you.

What do I need to think about before going abroad?

After our no-obligation conversation, in which we already cover a lot, we also send you the welcome pack. It sets out in detail everything you need to think about, what to bring, what to watch out for and so on.

How many other people will I be volunteering with?

There are always other interns and volunteers staying at the accommodation in Ghana. The group size varies between 10 and 20. Not all of them are from the UK, many come from other countries. Contact us to ask how many others will be there during your stay. We also set up a group chat with other British participants travelling in the same period, so you can get to know each other beforehand.

Welcome Pack Ghana - The Power of Sports

Edwin Opare

Good day, everyone. My name is Emmanuel Nkrumah and I am the Volunteer Project Coordinator in Tinkong. In this role I coordinate the volunteers’ activities, oversee day-to-day operations and support programmes that give children, young people and vulnerable people practical skills to live independently.

I am passionate about developing my community, about teamwork and about creating opportunities that promote inclusion and personal growth. I believe sport and education can change lives. My goal is to make sure our programmes are well organised, have a positive impact and meet the needs of the people we support. At the same time, we want to create a positive and supportive environment for volunteers and participants alike.

I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the mission of The Power of Sports, and I look forward to making a lasting difference together with partners, volunteers and members of the community.

A four-week stay costs €980, including:

  • Accommodation.
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off.
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
  • Introduction and tour on arrival in Accra.
  • A dedicated coordinator at your project location.
  • Regular social events and shared activities with other volunteers and interns.
  • Visa advice and support.
  • Access to the group chat with all the other volunteers and interns travelling at the same time.
  • Contact details of your coordinator and former interns so you can get acquainted beforehand.
  • Each extra week costs €210
Apply