Pharmacy Internship in Ghana
Learn from experienced pharmacists as you work alongside them at a teaching hospital and during outreaches
What’s included
24/7 Support
Transportation
Certification
Pre-departure Support
Starting at €2,245 for 2 weeks
Trip Overview
What you need to know
Overview
If you are interested in pursuing a career as a pharmacist, then our internship in Ghana is perfect for you. You’ll gain practical work experience by shadowing and working alongside professionals.
You’ll learn more about pharmacy, but you’ll also learn how to be adaptable and work with people with a different cultural background. You’ll find that the experience will give a new level of depth to your studies, and it will add relevant work experience to your CV.
No experience? No problem! You’ll be with qualified pharmacists every step of the way. They are there to teach you and answer any questions you may have.
A Day in the Life
Wake up each morning at your host family before eating breakfast, donning your white coat, and grabbing a tro tro or shared taxi that will take you to the hospital. On your first day, our staff will accompany you to show you the way.
A typical day starts at 8am, and ends at 4pm, Monday to Friday. Since the pharmacy is open day and night, you can also organise a night shift with your supervisor. At 12.30pm, you’ll have a chance to eat during your lunch break. You can either bring a lunch from your host family, or you can buy food at the hospital cafeteria.
At the beginning of each day, you’ll check in with the local pharmacist who is to be your supervisor for the duration of your internship. You’ll start each day by shadowing the doctors during ward rounds. They will go around and visit each patient who stayed the night, seeing how they are doing and recommending any necessary change in their medication. You’ll assist the pharmacist with the dispensing of this medication.
A few times a week, you’ll go with the medical staff and assist with the dispensing of medication at community outreaches. You’ll fill doctors’ prescriptions and ensure patients are aware of how to take the medication and how often. All of this work is supervised by an experienced pharmacist.
At the end of the day, you can head home and enjoy a home cooked Ghanaian meal with your host family. This is the perfect time to get to know more about their culture. Over the weekends, you can spend time with other interns, explore the many historical sites around Cape Coast, take a hike in the beautiful Akuapem Hills, or just relax on the beach.
Aims & Impact
Our aim for this internship is to provide you with practical pharmacy skills and get you involved in our ongoing efforts help disadvantaged communities.
You’ll get to learn by shadowing qualified pharmacists, and exchange medical knowledge if you have medical training and experience. You’ll also get a deeper insight into the healthcare challenges people face in developing countries everyday.
Ghana has a growing number of healthcare issues. Diseases such as malaria and cholera are the leading causes of death. Non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension are also on the rise due to poor diets and ageing populations. You’ll provide much-needed assistance to medical professionals as they treat patients at schools and a leprosy camp.
We have identified five key goals in our Medicine Management Plan, which we are working towards with your help:
- Encourage an understanding of medical practices and promoting an exchange of medical knowledge
- Improve access to basic healthcare for disadvantaged groups through outreach work in leprosy camps and schools
- Promote awareness of non-communicable diseases
- Improve the quality of healthcare provided to patients
- Reduce the number of cases of malaria
Join our Pharmacy Internship in Ghana and learn more about the pharmaceutical field while helping communities in need.
Activities
As an intern, you’ll observe the work of qualified pharmacists at a local teaching hospital. Here are a few of the tasks you’ll be involved in:
Projects Abroad volunteer classifies medicines in a hospital in Ghana during her pharmacy internship.
Assist with the dispensing of medication under supervision at medical outreaches
At your Pharmacy placement in Ghana, your work will focus on the following areas:
Shadow qualified pharmacists
You will observe and help the local pharmacists as they assist patients during ward rounds on a daily basis. You’ll also observe the pharmaceutical team while they dispense medication, and see how they interact with patients as they walk them through the the proper use of the medication.
Assist at medical outreaches
Many small villages and outlying communities are unable to access or receive medical attention. This is why you will be taking part in regular outreach projects. You’ll help provide the local community with the care that they wouldn’t normally have access to. Under supervision, you will be able to provide them with the medication they have been prescribed by local doctors.
Provide drug information services
Under the supervision of qualified pharmacists, you’ll be able to inform patients on the necessity of various medication. During dispensing, you’ll guide patients on the correct usage, talk to them about the side effects, and let them know if it is necessary for a refill.
Map & Location
Explore lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and golden beaches or get stuck in to the lively music and dance scene. With a rich mix of languages and traditions, its people are known for their warmth and hospitality.
Accra
Accra, the capital of Ghana, is a lively city on the Atlantic coast with a population of over two million. This sprawling metropolis blends modern skyscrapers with historic landmarks, artisan markets, and beautiful beaches. It has a tropical savannah climate with hot temperatures all year.
Accra is culturally rich, with traditional drumming and dance performances alongside an energetic nightlife and thriving arts scene. More than half of the population is under 24, so it’s never short of excitement!
Akuapem Hills
About 90 minutes north of the capital, Accra, lie the quiet and tropical Akuapem Hills. Known for their lush greenery, cocoa farms, and charming villages with traditional architecture, the hills are a perfect escape from city living.
You’ll never feel more welcomed than in the heart of the Ghanaian countryside and you’ll have access to all the essential amenities. Plus, Accra is well within reach for a day trip if needed!
Food & Accommodation
Immediately feel at home with a supportive and welcoming local host family. We’ve vetted each family to guarantee you get everything you need for a wonderful stay. This includes a comfortable bed, three daily meals, fresh drinking water, and daily transport to and from your placement, arranged by our team.
Your host family’s home will be clean, safe, and secure, and they will welcome you as one of their own from the moment you arrive. Absorb the local culture, enjoy their incredible home-cooked food, and build a lifelong connection during the course of your stay.
You’ll stay with other Projects Abroad participants on your travels. If you share a room, we will match you with someone of the same gender and age. Whether you go it alone or with friends, you’ll have the time of your life.
Your Arrival Made Easy
When you arrive at your respective airport, a member of Projects Abroad staff will be there to meet you. You can find more detailed information on arrival airports, orientation, and visas on our Ghana Arrival Procedures page.
Book your adventure
Starting at €2,245 for 2 weeks
Call +353 (0)1 571 5080 to discuss special discounts or group bookings.