Ghana reflects the vast diversity of the African continent. The south is lush tropical jungle and coastal plains which give way to open savannah in the northern region, hot and dry with the feel of Northern Africa around the Burkina Faso Border. Southern Ghana is home to lush banana plantations, white sand beaches, and a string of 500 year old castles and forts built by European slave traders. Central Ghana is home to the Ashanti people, one of the great Sub-Saharan civilizations as well as Lake Volta--one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. The Northern Region is flat, open savannah and home to the big game more often associated with countries like Kenya and Tanzania. Elephants, baboons, buffalo, antelope, warthogs, and the occassional big cat live in the savannah and thrive in Mole National Park. Five major ethnic groups speak 50 different languages. English is the official language unifying this diverse country. Ghana was the first African colony to gain independence from Great Britain in 1957. Although greatly influenced by European civilization, the people are striving to develop a nation and culture which are uniquely African.

Ghanaians are well known among travelers as being some of the most hospitable people in the world: warm, friendly, and sociable people. Ghanaians tend to take life at a relaxed pace, viewing time as a series of events rather than a matter of calendars, hours, or minutes. ELI partners with local organizations in rural and urban areas throughout Ghana to create unique volunteer and internship programs designed to give participants a cultural understanding of this incredible country.