- Overview
- Trip Dates
- Trip Itinerary
- Trip Cost Includes
- Trip Cost Excludes
- Travel Guidelines
- FAQ
Ghana, rich in African heritage, is home to some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet. Despite a history marked by colonization and the painful legacy of the slave trade, the people of Ghana have risen above these challenges to build a thriving, independent nation. With its welcoming beaches, vibrant cities, and accessible transport, it’s no wonder that Ghana is often referred to as "Africa for beginners."
There are numerous ways you can engage during your mission trip to Ghana, each offering unique opportunities to make a lasting impact. Whether you choose to get involved in kids’ ministry, service projects, church outreach, sports ministry, or other community-based initiatives, your time in Ghana will be both fulfilling and transformative. Kids' ministry provides a chance to shape young hearts and minds, helping children grow in their faith while teaching them valuable life skills. Service projects, whether building infrastructure, providing healthcare, or supporting local schools, directly address the practical needs of the community, creating long-term benefits for families and future generations.
Church ministry efforts allow you to support local pastors, whether through preaching, teaching, or offering encouragement. Many pastors in Ghana face difficult challenges in terms of resources and support, and your involvement can provide much-needed strength to sustain their ministry. Sports outreach, especially in a country with a strong passion for football (soccer), is an excellent way to connect with the youth, build relationships, and share the Gospel in an engaging and accessible way. What sets this experience apart is the strength of the partnerships TEL International has built over many years in Ghana. These relationships with local churches, leaders, and communities are grounded in trust and mutual respect, ensuring that your efforts will have a lasting, sustainable impact. Through these connections, you’ll be equipped to encourage pastors in ways that extend beyond the trip itself—whether through training, mentorship, or ongoing prayer support.
The kindness, generosity, and hospitality of the Ghanaian people will quickly capture your heart. You’ll experience the warmth of their culture firsthand, whether sharing meals with a local family or working side by side on projects. The bonds you form with the people will transcend the trip, and you’ll likely find yourself forging lifelong friendships with the local pastors, church members, and community leaders. These relationships will continue to grow even after you return home, as you remain connected through prayer, support, and the shared goal of advancing God’s Kingdom in Ghana.
Whether you're a student, teacher, doctor, or part of a group like a sorority or fraternity, or simply looking to travel with friends and family, we will work with you to ensure your unique skills and gifts meet the real needs of the community while you serve in Ghana.
NOTE: Trip dates are listed under frequently asked questions (FAQ).
GHANA TRIP ITINERARY
Itineraries
Day 1
Departure
Departure to Ghana
Day 2
Arrive at Accra’s Kotoka Int'l Airport
Arrive at London Heathrow International Airport. From there, take a connecting British Airways flight to Accra’s Kotoka International Airport. Upon arrival, the mission team will be greeted and transported to the Baptist Guest House.
Day 3
A Tour of Elmina Castle
After breakfast, the mission team will depart at 8:00 AM for a visit to Elmina Castle. Upon arrival, the team will learn about the site’s tragic history. Elmina Castle is one of about 40 “slave castles” along West Africa’s Gold Coast and served as the final stop for many enslaved Africans on the Middle Passage trading route to the Americas. Afterward, the mission team will be transported to the Elmina Beach Resort, where they will enjoy an overnight stay.
Day 4
Journey from Cape Coast to Techiman
After breakfast, we will travel from Cape Coast to Techiman, where accommodations have been arranged.
Day 5-8
Ministry Outreach Activities
The team will participate in a range of activities, including church ministry, village evangelism, teaching school children and helping with arts and crafts, sports ministry, providing healthcare services, working alongside local builders on various projects, and distributing food and supplies.
Day 9
Excursion Across the Brong-Ahafo Region
Mission trip excursion across the Brong-Ahafo Region to engage with local communities in one of Ghana's most culturally rich and historically significant areas.
Day 10
Sunday Morning Worship
Team members will attend and participate in Sunday morning worship services.
Day 11
Journey Back to Accra
After breakfast, the mission team will travel back to Accra for an overnight stay at the Baptist Guest House.
Day 12
City tour of Accra
After breakfast, the mission team will embark on a sightseeing tour of Accra. The tour will include visits to the W.E.B. Dubois Center for Pan African Culture, Independence Black Star Square, and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. The team will conclude the tour at the Arts Centre (Centre for National Culture), where they will have the opportunity to hone their bargaining skills while shopping for Ghanaian and West African artifacts at the open-air market. Later that evening the mission team will arrive at Kotoka International Airport (Accra) at 6:00 PM for a late evening flight to London.
Day 13
Exploring the Attractions of London
The mission team will arrive at London Heathrow International Airport early in the morning, before 7:00 AM. The team will be picked up and transported to the hotel for a three-day two-night stay. Over the next two days, the mission team will have the opportunity to explore and tour the sights of London.
Day 14
Departure to US
In the afternoon, the team will depart from Heathrow International Airport for the flight back to the U.S.
INCLUDED IN TRIP COST
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Registration Fee
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Round Trip Airfare
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Lodging
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Homemade, culturally immersive and American meals
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In-country ground transportation
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Adventure day activities
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Ministry training
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Health and accident insurance
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Online fundraising page for individuals
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Extensive trip information
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Tour leader accompanying the group from the U.S.
EXPENDITURES NOT INCLUDED
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Passport and Visa
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Immunizations and Vaccinations
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Spending Money
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Ministry Materials
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Extra recreation options outside of the normal recreation outing
Airfare and In-country Transportation
We are committed to taking care of as many logistical details as possible, so you, the short-term missionary, can focus on your ADVENTURE. We coordinate all the airline travel booking as it is included in the trip cost. We also are responsible for the organization of all in-country transportation. The cost of your flight is included in the total trip cost.
Passports & Visas
Both a valid passport and a Ghanaian visa are required for travel. If you do not have a valid passport, we will assist you in getting one. Once you have a passport, we will contact you regarding acquiring a Ghanaian visa. TEL International will facilitate all visa processing.
Immunization Requirements
The Yellow Fever vaccination and Malarial medication is required. A recent tetanus, Hepatitis A and B, and Typhoid shots are all recommended. Please see your personal physician to prescribe your anti-malarial medicine.
Our staff can assist you with acquiring any necessary vaccination or medication information required for foreign travel. Vaccination and immunization costs are not included in your total trip cost as you will have to obtain these at a medical facility where you live. If you have any questions or concerns about your immunizations, please contact your family physician before they are administered.
Spaces can only be reserved for individuals who submit their application along with a trip deposit of $250. Each trip has a maximum number of spots available, and they are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on the completion of the registration process.
GHANA SHORT-TERM MISSION TRIP DATES:
June 13—26, 2025
June 27—July 10, 2025
July 11—24, 2025
July 25—August 7, 2025
August 8—21, 2025
August 22—Sept. 4, 2025
September 5—18, 2025
September 19—October 2, 2025
October 3—16, 2025
October 17—30, 2025
October 31—November 13, 2025
January 23—February 5, 2026
February 6—19, 2026
February 20—March 5, 2026
March 6—19, 2026
March 20—April 2, 2026
April 3—16, 2026
April 17—30, 2026
May 1—14, 2026
May 15—28, 2026
May 29—June 11, 2026
June 12—25, 2026
June 26—July 9, 2026
July 10—23, 2026
July 24—August 6, 2026
August 7—20, 2026
August 21—Sept. 3, 2026
Trip payments can be made by credit card or check. Please note that a 3.5% transaction fee will be applied for credit card payments.
Team size requirements range from 10 to 30 participants. If your group meets the minimum size, you can select any of the available trip dates. If your team is smaller than the minimum, you may still have the opportunity to join a week when a larger team has already met the requirement.
Yes! You can join a week where the minimum team size has already been met by a larger team.
Special permission from TEL International is required for children outside the specified age range for the trip (Junior High, High School, Adult, etc.). If a child does attend, they must be accompanied by a parent, who will assume full responsibility for the child at all times. Children under 10 may receive a price reduction on a case-by-case basis.
TEL International is an interdenominational Christian non-profit organization. We are not affiliated with any specific denomination, and participants from all Christian denominations are welcome to join our mission trips.
In each country, we collaborate with our partners where teams serve. Ministry partnership assignments are typically finalized 6-8 weeks before the mission trip dates. Throughout the planning process, your consultant will be assessing the best location(s) for the team and will inform you of your assigned ministry as soon as the details are confirmed. Typical assignments include the following ministry outreach activities:
1). Worship with a local church and get involved by offering music, delivering sermons or short exhortations, teaching.
2). Tutor students, observe classes, assist teachers with arts and crafts, games, storytelling, singing, or participate in recess activities.
3). Use sports and group games as a way to build relationships and share the gospel.
4). Offer medical services and support to the community and healthcare system and general counseling on health issues
5). Work alongside a local builder on various projects, including painting, roofing, cement work, tiling, or landscaping.
Team members will be staying at the guesthouse or hotel depending on the size of the group. In most cases, you will share the room with at least one roommate of the same gender. No sleeping bags, pillows or sheets are necessary. Private rooms are also available depending on availability. However, married couples usually get priority for single rooms.
Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be provided, featuring a mix of local cuisine and some American-style dishes. During the consulting process, we will identify team members with allergies or dietary restrictions. While we can accommodate vegetarian diets, we are unable to accommodate other dietary restrictions. We recommend that team members with specific dietary needs bring additional food to supplement their meals. Bottled water will be readily available at the guesthouse, all worksites, and service locations. Food and drinks outside of mealtimes are the responsibility of the volunteers.
In many of the countries we serve, local communities are bilingual or trilingual, with English being one of the languages spoken. However, in some areas, English is not widely spoken, and a language barrier may exist. In these locations, local staff members serve as assistant trip leaders and are available to translate for the team.
Our staff is fully trained and prepared to ensure a safe and incident-free mission experience. TEL International staff members will accompany the team throughout the entire trip and will have access to transportation, cell phones, hospitals, and first aid kits at all times. In case of an emergency, a staff member will guide the team and assist with the necessary steps to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being.
Our staff includes a blend of full-time employees, local staff, and seasonal interns. We deeply value the contributions of our local staff, recognizing the positive impact they have on the ministry we carry out.
If the deposit has been received and processed, but no flight has been booked and no other trip-related expenses have been incurred, the participant will receive a full refund. If the deposit has been received and processed, and a flight has been booked and confirmed by the airline, or if other costs related to the participant’s involvement in the trip have been incurred, the participant will receive a refund of the deposit minus the cost of the non-refundable flight, incurred expenses and a $75 administrative fee.
If the deposit or full payment has been received and processed, and the cancellation occurs less than 45 days before the departure date, no refund will be issued. However, 50% of the non-flight portion of the deposit may be applied toward a future mission trip scheduled within the current or upcoming calendar year.
If a mission trip is canceled due to the minimum team size not being met, terrorism, civil unrest, natural disasters, widespread illness, a pandemic, or other extraordinary circumstances, all funds paid will be credited toward a future mission trip, to be used within 24 months from the date of issuance.
If a trip participant cancels or withdraws from the trip voluntarily less than 45 days before departure, the Missions Trip Coordinator must be notified in writing via mail or email. All funds paid are non-refundable; however, credits will be applied toward future trips within 24 months.
1). A $75 processing fee will be deducted before credits are issued, along with any expenses incurred by TEL International that cannot be refunded or transferred by the vendor/partner.
2). When TEL International can accommodate a new trip date, funds from the original trip date may be transferred to a future trip according to the following guidelines: a) If the transfer is made 3 months prior to the original trip date and the future trip date is within 12 months of the original date, the registration fee will not be forfeited; b) If the transfer occurs within 3 months of the original trip date or the future trip date is more than 12 months after the original trip date, the registration fee will be forfeited, and a new registration fee will be required.
When you join TEL International on a mission trip, our staff team invests real time and energy preparing for your mission trip and supporting the team. Non-refundable amounts not only allow us to cover all organizational costs associated with your trip, but also to cover upfront expenses already committed to the community and on-field partners prior to the team’s arrival. Below are a few ways we support you and the team to make mission trips a meaningful experience for all:
1). We take the time to plan all the logistics, including housing setup, meal planning, safety protocols, team training and debrief materials; and recruiting and training field staff to lead and run each trip.
2). Our staff and local Community Partners work well in advance of each team’s arrival, setting up work projects and areas of service within the local community. Last-minute withdrawals from a trip within 45 days of the trip start date have a direct impact on our ability to maintain commitments to Community Partners, community members, local churches, schools, service organizations, and ministries, while no leaving enough time to adequately fill spaces vacated by team members.
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