Overview
Join a medical shadowing internship in Accra, Ghana and gain valuable insight into healthcare delivery in a setting where patient demand often outweighs staffing levels. Hosted in established hospitals, this observation-based placement allows you to learn directly from experienced doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals as they care for a diverse patient population.
While Ghana’s government continues to improve healthcare services, many communities — especially rural areas — still face challenges such as limited resources and a reliance on traditional medicine. In Accra, you’ll see how medical teams work creatively and collaboratively to meet these challenges, offering you a deeper understanding of both the strengths and limitations of the local healthcare system.
As a participant, your role will focus entirely on shadowing and observing clinical practice, with no hands-on procedures. You’ll rotate through multiple departments, from general medicine to specialized areas such as emergency care, dentistry, ophthalmology, pediatrics, and maternity. This variety ensures a well-rounded perspective on patient care and hospital operations in Ghana..
Sample Placement Profile - Greater Accra Regional Hospital
It is a government hospital established in the year 1963. But it has recently over gone a huge makeover and is now housed in an ultra modern new facility. Interns at the hospital can work from 9am - 3pm.
Interns can help nurses administer care for patients.The interns primarily shadow, observe and do very basic assisting work at the hospital placement.
Patient Services/Care
- General O.P.D
- Emergency Recovery/Casualty
- Dental
- ENT
- ECG Clinic
- Eye Clinic
- Diabetic Clinic
- CWC/FP
- Laboratory
- Blood Bank
- Pharmacy
- X-Ray
- Public Health Services
In-Patient Services/Dept
- Pediatrics Ward
- Maternity
- Medical ward
- Surgical Ward
- Theater
Note : This is a sample placement profile and final placement allocation can change depending on local circumstances.
Interns can give their department preferences from the following available departments :-
- General Nursing
- Laboratory
- Clinical Psychology
- Diagnostics
- Pharmacy
- Physiotherapy
- Electrocardiography
- Midwifery
- Public Health Service
- Dietetics
- Surgery
- Ear, Nose, and Throat
- Pediatrics
- Gynecology and Obstetrics
- Wellness Clinic
- Ophthalmology
Intern Work Schedule
Intern Work Schedule
As a medical intern you will be working at your placement for 5 days a week and will have weekends off. Your place of internship would be close to your accommodation. Every hospital placement has different working hours (5-6 days a week), which will be discussed with you right at the beginning of your mission.
During free time you can take part in excursions, beach visits and tours to nearby national parks! Usually there are always small groups together, so you can explore the country together with other volunteers.
Intern Roles & Responsibilities
Intern Roles & Responsibilities
As an intern for this program, your main tasks would be:
Interns will assist the local team in daily duties at the hospital placement and shadow/observe procedures and treatments being done by doctors and nursing staff.
Observe the local medical staff to understand the kind of problems that are prevalent in the Ghanaian health care scenario.
Placement Requirements
Placement Requirements
Interns must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project. Participants should have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. Medical and Physiotherapy interns must provide a clean criminal background check report, CV, Passport Copy as well as other documents and credentials pertaining to their qualifications prior to joining the program. Medical,Nursing or midwifery students, Pre medical students and students studying physiotherapy or occupational therapy can take part in the program.
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Living
Living
Arrival & Orientation
You will meet our representative at Kotoka International Airport in Accra from where you'll be transferred to the Intern house. Later, you'll travel to the project site after the orientation program on the next day.
Your project site will mostly be close to your accommodation. Every project office has different working hours (5-6 days a week), which will be discussed with you right at the beginning of your program.
Accommodation
Your accommodation will be at an Intern House, a modern 6-bedroom residence located in Teshie Nungua, a vibrant suburb of Accra, the capital of Ghana. The house is just a 25-minute drive from the airport and 20 minutes from the city center. The nearest beaches are only a 15-minute walk away. For added security, the nearest police station is just 5 minutes away.
The house offers comfortable accommodations with two bunk beds per room, 4 toilets, and 3 bathrooms. For entertainment and convenience, there are 2 satellite TVs with internet access, free Wi-Fi, a spacious living room, and a fully equipped kitchen. All rooms are air-conditioned, and running water is available, with three additional water reservoirs. The property also features a large compound, a chill-out area under a shed, a table tennis board, and a PlayStation. There is security coverage with cameras at the gate, a fenced wall, and on-site security personnel. The house can accommodate up to 30 participants at a time.
At the Intern House, you'll have the chance to live with volunteers and interns from across the globe. Meals will be provided by our on-site chef who prepares both local and international dishes. Our dedicated staff is available 24/7 to ensure your comfort and safety.
Volunteers and interns will be joined by a caretaker cum cook and security personnel on-site.The house is set up to cater to volunteers' and interns' needs, offering a variety of activities for relaxation after a day of work. You can unwind with games, karaoke, table tennis, or movie nights, or simply relax under the shed. If you prefer to cook, the modern, fully equipped kitchen is available for your use.
The nearest shopping mall is a 15-minute drive away, but you’ll also find many small kiosks around the volunteer house where you can purchase daily necessities.
Meals
Volunteers and Interns are provided with 2 meals (breakfast and dinner) at the accommodation. Ghanaian cuisine consists primarily of starches, soups, beans, meat, and fish. The Starches consist mainly of rice and doughy balls made from mashed cassava, plantain or yams. Famous Ghanaian dishes include Banku and Fufu. Participants are given a mix of local and western meals. Vegetarian and vegan dietary requirements can also be met.
During your Free Time
There is also a lot to discover and explore in Accra. After work you can do a relaxed stroll in a shopping mall not far away and experience the vibrant Ghanaian Capital Accra in all its facets.
On the weekends you can do a variety of trips to places such as Cape Coast, Kumasi, Canopy Walk and many more options to choose from.









Dates
Dates
January
19
26
February
02
09
16
23
March
02
09
16
23
April
06
13
20
27
May
04
11
18
25
June
01
08
15
22
29
July
06
13
20
27
August
03
10
17
24
31
September
07
14
21
28
October
05
12
19
26
November
02
09
16
23
30
December
07
14
21
28
January
04
11
18
25
February
01
08
15
22
March
01
08
15
22
29
April
05
12
19
26
May
03
10
17
24
June
07
14
21
28
July
05
12
19
26
August
02
09
16
23
30
September
06
13
20
27
October
04
11
18
25
November
01
08
15
22
29
December
06
13
20
27
Costs
Duration |
Program Fee
Choose your currency
|
|
---|---|---|
2 Weeks | $813 | |
3 Weeks | $1113 | |
4 Weeks | $1412 | |
5 Weeks | $1712 | |
6 Weeks | $2012 | |
7 Weeks | $2311 | |
8 Weeks | $2611 | |
Extra Week | $300 |
Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment. A 5% international banking fee is charged for credit card payments of program fee in USD/AUD.
What are you Paying for?
- Airport pick-up & drop off
- Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information information and support from Med Trips team
- Orientation
- 24-hour In-country support
- Accommodation in Intern House
- Meals - Breakfast and Dinner
- Medical Insurance
- 1 pair of Medical scrubs
- Certificate of Participation(On Request)
What's NOT included?
- Flights
- Cost of daily traveling to the project
- Personal Expenses
- Visa
- Vaccinations
FAQ's
Eligibility and Preperation
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Who can apply for the program?
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Interns need to be a current student or recent graduate of a medical studies program to be accepted in the Ghana Medical Internship/Elective. This includes Pre-med, medical school, nursing, public health, pre-nursing students. All participants must be above 18 years of age.
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Are vaccinations or health checks required?
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Yes, students should consult their doctor or travel clinic for recommended vaccinations before travel.
Accommodation and Living
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Can I know more about accommodation and food arrangements?
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In Accra, interns are provided accommodation in the intern house with other participants. The house is well furnished with air conditioned rooms and a huge common sitting and dining area.
Two meals a day are provided to all participants at the house.
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Can vegetarians be accommodated?
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Yes – please do ensure that you inform the local team about your food preference and they can help ensure you are able to order the best food! Also, please do mention your specific food preference in the application form as well.
Program and Learning Experience
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What are the benefits of doing a Medical internship with Med Trips?
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Some major benefits include:
- Meeting other interns and participants from all around the world
- Get international exposure by observing and shadowing in major hospitals of Accra, Ghana
- Being able to work with patients of different cultures and understand cultural dynamics of a new city or country
- Being able to travel during weekends and in the evenings to explore your destination
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What kind of hospital/clinical experience will I get?
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Placements are primarily observation-based but tailored to student level (pre-med, nursing, or medical). Students shadow professionals in departments such as surgery, pediatrics, emergency, physiotherapy, OBGYN, and more. All students need to give preference of 3-4 departments of their choice. Depending on the preference and internship/elective duration department allocation shall be done.
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Can I perform medical procedures?
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Due to local regulations and ethical standards, students will not perform hands-on procedures. However, they will observe, learn, and gain insight into patient care, local health systems, and medical practices. Depending on level of experience and skills, students in Ghana do sometimes do basic assisting work with the doctors depending on the department allocated.
Travel and Logistics
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Do I need a visa?
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Visa requirements depend on your nationality and destination. We provide guidance during the pre-departure process. All travellers to Ghana need to apply for visa prior to arrival in Ghana. We will provide you with supporting documents for the Ghana visa.
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Is airport transfer included?
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All interns need to arrive in Ghana on the mentioned start dates. Interns are picked up from the Kotoka International Airport in Accra (ACC) by the in-country coordinator or representative. After you are picked up from the airport, you will be transferred to the accommodation wherein you will have rest and settle down. Your orientation and placement would start on the next day.
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How do I get around during the program?
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Interns in Accra use local public transport such as taxis for commuting between the accommodation and hospital placement.
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What are the recommended inexpensive airline options to fly to Ghana?
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Kotoka International Airport in Accra has direct connections from North America and Europe. Delta Airlines, KLM Dutch Airlines, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, British Airways are some of the major airlines that have direct connections to Ghana.
Safety and Support
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What about medical facilities in case of an emergency?
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We partner with modern hospitals where English-speaking staff are available. In case of any medical emergency, the local team will be there to provide support and assistance to you.
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How safe is Ghana in general?
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Ghana is a safe and stable country with relatively low crime levels compared to other West African countries. You’ll meet some of the friendliest people in Ghana and their culture is a fascinating blend of traditional and modern.
However, as in any country around the world, you need to take certain precautions for safety. You will be given safety precautions and instructions by your coordinator during the orientation. -
What kind of support will I have?
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You’ll have full in-country support from our local team in Accra. In case of any emergencies or problems, the staff will be there to support you and assist you always.