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Projects for Volunteers |
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All organisations that need volunteers for their projects in Ghana have subscribed to the following ethical code of conduct.
Responsible Tourism
The nature of placement is very much focused on the cultures visited. Therefore, everyone taking part should already be aware of and responsible for his or her own actions. It is very important to remember that we are visitors in foreign lands and so cannot impose our moral standards and opinions on matters we only partially understand.
Our Policy for Low Impact Tourism
We support, fund and run development projects. These are done in conjunction with local communities. We are not trying to impose our own standards, but as we assess the needs of a particular community, we work with them to implement a development plan that they can control and expand. Throughout the placement, you will be exposed to a huge variety of communities, cultures, environments, tourist attractions and people. It is likely that you may not have experienced anything similar before but we hope that through pre-departure research and preparation you will gain an understanding of local customs and traditions that will minimize the tourism impact you have. Your placement will change lives in a small but positive way, but be aware that your every move is observed, every action discussed and every conversation interpreted in a different way!
You are expected to act in a responsible way.
Try to minimize the impact of your presence upon the environment and take responsibility for improving it where we can. Take photographs and leave only footprints. A zero litter policy should be adopted, regardless of what you see the locals doing. You should use locally run and owned accommodation and restaurants in preference to foreign owned hotel chains. This is the same for purchasing food and equipment through local business enterprises, shops and markets. A portion of your placement cost goes to funding the community development projects. It is this money alone that provides the equipment, materials and skilled labour needed to make the projects work. This employment of a local work force ensures that villagers are able to earn a much needed income that can replace income earned through current activities like charcoal making, illegal hunting & logging, all of which can be viewed as destructive to the environment.
Guidelines for Volunteers
As a volunteer, you have an increasing role to play within the responsible tourism concept. We have ensured a solid framework to achieve these goals but it is your actions that uphold the impact and the good foundations we have laid. The following information contains basic ideas that will enhance your experience and ensure a positive reaction from local communities.
Social Policies
Establish contacts with the adults in the host community. Minimise intrusion into the private life of community members. Visit only when invited. Involve people from the host community in all or part of your routines, especially people of equivalent ages. Avoid walking directly through settlements. Be discrete, quiet and respectful at all times. It should be remembered that to a certain extent visitors destroy the very things they are coming to see. Cultural exchange is not possible without erosion of the cultural differences: this may be an acceleration of an inevitable process, but it may lead to cultural clashes. Research differences of gender, dress, religion, drugs (including alcohol). Abide by local regulations. Observe customs e.g. Respect for flags, national anthems, tipping. Avoid defacing currency, discussing openly issues of politics or religion. Avoid exploiting hospitality. Never get drunk or smoke drugs. Expulsion from the project site will be instantaneous if you're not arrested first. Ask before taking photographs of people (for children ask parents if present), animals, houses or property (including public buildings, government installations etc.) Gifts in exchange for permission to take photographs may be demanded. Polaroid cameras give instant pictures for 'gifts'. Never take photos of military type installations. Tipping of local guides is expected on excursions, particularly if the excursion has been enjoyable and successful. The tipping of local guides is best administered through one person so as not to offend or give too much. Care must be taken to observe local codes of dress throughout your time in populated areas and particularly when at border posts. You can seriously offend people by not observing these elementary rules of courtesy. When completing forms for immigration write legibly using capital letters and in blue or black biro; learn the details of your passport; always treat officials with respect; never volunteer information or interrupt the main conversation; always make an effort to dress cleanly and neatly for any border or checkpoint crossings and to behave quietly and sensibly. Failure to observe these very basic rules can lead to real problems and delays.
Economic Relationships
Spend money in the local communities. Do not entice locals to sell food that they may need for themselves later in the season/year. Consider your response to begging. Generally, local or expert advice should be sought. Consider leaving behind tools and or any unwanted items that you have finished with. Be aware of the possibility of the exchange of goods. Are the exchanges going to enhance or alter the local habits or attitudes? Be aware of 'black market' economies, especially the exchanging of money. Use services provided by indigenous peoples (not companies set up by foreigners to export profits). Do not be a burden to the community. You should not rely on scant local resources. Understanding the difference in economics between the West and the countries visited is vital. £1 in the UK will not go as far as the equivalent value in many countries. Although you will be seen as wealthy by comparison, you should not allow yourself to be exploited. For example, a foreign face in a local market will normally increase the price of items tenfold. Every effort should be made to barter as such a large input of money into these economies could have adverse affects. When purchasing locally made crafts ensure that they are in no way illegal, e.g.: derived from endangered species, such as ivory.
Environmental Policies
The following are guidelines of conduct when camping in the wild but could easily be applied to your placement as well. However, whether the campsite is permanent or transient, leaving as little trace of the campsite's presence as possible must be the overriding principle. All of the statements below are viewed in the light of minimising your impact upon the environment. Consider the following points: Keep noise levels low. The visual impact of tents and of lights used - bright lights are not usually required. Water usage, e.g. cooking/drinking/washing. Do not affect access for animals or water quality. Be aware of fires and their effects on surrounding vegetation - minimise smoke, remember some vegetation types are extremely flammable especially in the dry seasons. Dead wood may be a vital source of fuel for locals so never waste wood fuel or deplete local sources. Implement a waste management plan. It includes: being aware of local policies regarding waste disposal; minimising packaging items & using biodegradable/environmentally friendly products; burning or bringing out litter, even cigarette ends; avoid disposing of chemical waste; and keep the camp area clean and tidy at all times. Store food carefully where animals cannot reach it. Never feed wild animals. Manage food surplus carefully. Take with you environmentally friendly soaps and detergents.
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