At a glance
- Join our Veterinary Medicine internship in Ghana and learn by shadowing and learning directly from experienced vets.
- Add value to your CV while gaining a deeper understanding into working with animals in a developing country. Help with wound care, vaccinations and checking vital signs.
- While in Ghana, you’ll live with a local host family in Accra or Akuapem Hills. Depending on which location you're based at, you'll either gain experience in a private clinic or on farms.
Is the Veterinary Medicine internship in Ghana right for me?
Our Veterinary Medicine internship is perfect for anyone interested in getting practical work experience with animals. This is especially useful if you want to become a vet in the future. It will add relevant work experience to your CV, and give you interesting points to talk about in interviews and applications.
You don’t need previous experience or training to do this internship. You’ll be supervised by a vet every step of the way, and they’ll teach you everything you need to know. They will be there to answer your questions as you learn about working with animals in a developing country. You can also reach out to Projects Abroad staff for support and guidance at any time.
This project runs year round, so you can choose when you would like to join from a minimum of two weeks. We do, however, recommend that you stay for longer than two weeks to see and learn more.
What will I be doing at my Veterinary Medicine placement in Ghana?
As a Veterinary Medicine intern, you’ll either work with livestock on various farms in a rural setting or with domestic and farm animals at a local veterinary hospital. Here are some of the tasks you’ll be involved in:
At your Veterinary Medicine placement in Ghana, your work will focus on the following areas:
Observe and assist during routine consults and treatments
You’ll work alongside vets during farm visits (if in the Akuapem Hills) or at a veterinary hospital (if in Accra). You’ll shadow them during the day and watch how they conduct consultations, work with the animals, and assess them for treatment. Under the supervision of the vet, you can also assist. If permitted, you can help with tasks like:
- General care of the animals
- Administer vaccines and medication
- Dress wounds
- Disease testing
- Setting IVs
Lend a hand during operations and observe post-mortems
Depending on your level of experience, you may get to assist with more hands-on work. You can assist the vet by preparing surgical areas and equipment, and lending a hand during operations such as sterilisations. On the odd occasion, you’ll be able to observe post-mortem surgeries. Here, you’ll be able to find out if an animal died from injury, disease, or other complications.
Educate the public and farm owners on the correct animal care procedures
In Ghana, there is often a lack of knowledge about animal care. Many animal and farm owners do not take their livestock or pets to the vet as they are unable to afford the fees. They often don’t have the means to travel for veterinary care either.
Because of this, they either do not report cases of sick animals or leave it too late. If the animals do not recover by themselves, they can die from their conditions. By teaching the public about correct animal care, you’ll see lower mortality rates and help prevent the spread of disease.
Where you will be working as a Veterinary Medicine intern in Ghana?
On this project, you can choose to work in the capital city of Accra or the more rural Akuapem Hills.
Accra
Ghana’s capital city is situated on the Atlantic coast. With over two million people living there, it’s one of the largest and most urban cities in the country. As you pass through the main streets, you’ll be greeted by many curious locals. You’ll also walk past a bevy of Ghanaian restaurants serving delicious cuisine
You’ll work with farm and domestic animals at a local veterinary hospital. This private veterinary institution provides efficient, affordable, and quality veterinary health care to farmers and pet owners in Ghana.
Akuapem Hills
Known as one of the quieter regions in Ghana, Akuapem Hills is a beautiful area of lush vegetation, hilly mountainside and rich red earth. Scattered along the mountainside are small villages where you’ll experience a more traditional side of the Ghanaian culture. You’ll get to know the locals better and can enjoy dried fish and yams from a food market.
You’ll spend your days going from farm to farm, visiting and treating farm animals that require assistance.
What will a typical day on the Veterinary Medicine internship be like?
You’ll begin each morning with breakfast at your host family’s house. You’ll then get dressed into clothes you don’t mind getting dirty before grabbing a tro tro or shared taxi to your placement. On your first day, a staff member will accompany you and show you the way.
A typical day on this project can start as early as 7am and end around 3pm. You can either eat a packed lunch during the day, or wait until your shift is over and enjoy lunch back at your host family’s house.
You’ll meet with your supervisor and discuss the day’s activities before setting out for the day. Depending on the placement you chose, you’ll either spend your time at farms or a veterinary hospital. You’ll be involved in administering vaccinations, as well as assisting with operations and routine treatments, and observing post mortems.
In the evenings and over the weekends, you’ll have time to yourself. Use this time to sample traditional dishes like jollof rice in Accra, enjoy the beach in Cape Coast, and spend time with other interns and volunteers.
What are the aims and impact of this internship?
The main aim of this project is to give you an educational experience and the opportunity to learn directly from local vets. You will also give back by helping care for animals and sharing knowledge on how people can better care for their pets and livestock.
In Ghana, there is a shortage of vets. With only a small group of vets available to farmers and pet owners, many animals go untreated. Most vets work in cities, and farmers in rural areas have no access to them. In addition, a large percentage of human diseases come from sick animals. This means that you’re likely to see diseases that have been eradicated in your country.
With your help, our partner vets can reach more people and animals to provide treatment. Treating diseases and distributing vaccinations will help prevent future outbreaks of animal related diseases.
Gain invaluable veterinary medicine work experience in Ghana and give your CV an extra edge while promoting the welfare of animals.
Measuring our impact
Our projects work towards clear long-term goals, with specific annual objectives. Every volunteer and intern we send to these projects helps us work towards these goals, no matter how long they spend on our projects.
Every year we take a step back and look at how much progress we've made towards these goals. We put together a Global Impact Report, which documents our achievements. Find out more about the impact our global community of volunteers, interns and staff make, and read the latest report.
Food and accommodation
You'll stay with a host family in Ghana. They will welcome you into their home, eager to share their customs and have you teach them about your own culture. We believe that this is the best way to immerse yourself in the culture of Ghana and have a truly unique experience.
We will always try to let you live alongside at least one other Projects Abroad volunteer or intern at the same host family. Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe.
Your programme fee includes three meals a day.
Find out more about our accommodation.
Leisure activities and free time
Volunteering in Ghana is an ideal way to explore this colourful West African country. There’s a huge variety of different activities to do while you’re there, giving you plenty of exciting ways to spend your free time.
Music is a central part of Ghanaian culture. In the bigger towns, especially Accra, you will hear some great live bands and have some memorable nights out. Evenings spent at buzzing restaurants will also give you a taste of some of the delicious local cuisine.
For a look into Ghana’s history, you can tour the slave forts of Cape Coast and visit museums. Nature lovers will relish trekking through the rainforests of Kakum National Park or Mole National Park.
We run a wide range of projects in Ghana so there’s sure to be other volunteers there during your trip. This means you can explore the country solo or connect with other volunteers and travel as a group.
Safety and staff support
Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have the support you need to enjoy your trip with peace of mind. Our Projects Abroad staff are available 24 hours a day to help, and will be on hand to make sure you settle in well at your accommodation and placement. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.
Find out more about safety and backup.
This placement is fully researched, safety audited, and risk assessed in accordance with the British Standard BS8848 for the Adventure Travel Sector.
Meet the team in Ghana
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