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Contents
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................... 2
MILESTONES IN PC GHANA HISTORY ................................................. 3
ADMINISTRATION ............................................................................... 4
PROGRAM MISSION AND GOALS ......................................................... 5
CROSS-SECTOR PROGRAMMING PRIORITIES ..................................... 6
HEALTH PROJECT................................................................................ 7
EDUCATION PROJECT .......................................................................... 9
AGRICULTURE PROJECT .................................................................... 11
SITE SELECTION CRITERIA................................................................. 13
PCV HOUSING STANDARDS ................................................................14
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PC, PCV, & PERSONS AT SITE .....16
REQUESTING A VOLUNTEER ........………………………………………………..21
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PEACE CORPS GHANA
2012
INTRODUCTION
Mike Koffman, Country Director/ Ghana
To help the people of Ghana in meeting their needs for trained manpower, particularly in meeting the
basic needs of those living in the poorest areas;
To help promote a better understanding of the American people on the part of Ghanaians; served and
To help promote a better understanding of Ghanaians on the part of the American people.
I’d like to say “Medaase” to all of the organizations, communities and government agencies who contribute
to the success of Peace Corps volunteers working for the development of their host communities.
Michael Koffman
Country Director, Ghana
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PEACE CORPS GHANA
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PEACE CORPS GHANA
ADMINISTRATION
The core values of the PC Ghana is one of 25 PC Posts in Africa, and 76 PC Posts in the world.
Peace Corps distinguish Peace Corps’ main office is located in Washington D.C., which provides
it from other actors in oversight and technical, financial and operational support to all PC Posts
the international globally where over 8,000 PCVs currently work.
development arena:
Peace Corps has four offices in Ghana. The head office is located in the
Separation from foreign
policy Labone neighborhood of the capital city, Accra. There are two sub-
offices, one located in Kumasi and a second in Tamale and a full-time
Separation from training center in Kukuruntumi in the Eastern Region.
intelligence and political
organizations Peace Corps Staff
Wide global presence The staff of PC Ghana consists of approximately 50 employees, only
three of whom are Americans. In addition, two third-year volunteers
People-to-People
currently serve as PCV Leaders, and are located at the PC Sub-Offices.
Non-career agency—
continuous infusion of Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs)
ideas and energy
Currently, Peace Corps has 185 Volunteers working in Ghana. They are
Reliance on host country U.S. citizens, of different ages and from diverse backgrounds, who
staff commit to serve for two years. The aim of a PCV is to build the capacity
of others and to share different ways of life. They live and work as
members of a community at the same economic level as the people they
serve.
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Strategically engage Students in Junior High Schools, Senior High Schools, and Schools for the
in select program Deaf will improve academic performance as a result of improved access
areas which have to educational resources and exposure to learner-centered teaching
been specifically techniques in Science, Math, and Art. In addition, Ghanaian youth will
requested by the increase their engagement in community and non-formal educational
Government of opportunities which promote gender equity.
Ghana. We also
develop and
maintain a strong
Agriculture
base of core
partnerships. PCV activities in the Agriculture Project are designed to help communities
and farmer groups to improve agricultural practices in order to
We are currently in sustainably increase household incomes and food security. The goals of
the process of the project are:
revising and
updating all of our Community members will improve resource management to improve
Project Plans in farming practices, increase yields, diversify food products and conserve
accordance with a resources.
global drive to
“Focus in and Train Participating community members will increase the profitability and
Up.” sustainability of farm and forest business activities at different stages of
the value chain.
Our 2012 Education
Project Plan has been
Rural communities will start official, active and functional agricultural
vetted and approved
by our host country organizations, and existing organizations will become officially
partners. The Health recognized and follow their established by-laws.
and Agriculture
Project plans will be Health
reviewed and
approved by the end PCVs assist communities to improve their health and well being through
of 2013. the promotion of family reproductive health and disease prevention. The
goals of the Health Project are:
Individuals and organizations will adopt life skills for promoting healthy
behaviors and improve overall family nutrition.
Ghanaian communities and households will become healthier by
improving hygiene and reducing malarial transmission vectors.
Community members and groups/organizations will implement HIV/AIDS
mitigation strategies.
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PEACE CORPS GHANA
Health Project
Advisory Committee HEALTH PROJECT
(PAC) Members:
The Health sector started in 1978 as a critical component of
Ghana Health Peace Corps Ghana’s “Basic Human Needs” initiative. Initially
Service the project provided child health care, diet and nutrition
education at Salvation Army clinics in the Ashanti and Eastern
Ministry of Health Regions.
Ghana Water and To prevent Malaria and other infectious diseases, PCVs
Sanitation (WASH) encourage the use of insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs), and
Project collaborate with other partners on the distribution of ITNs.
They have also assisted with CDC (Center for Disease Control)
Coastal Resources sleep studies.
Center/University of
Rhode Island
Relief International
GWASH Program
Catholic Relief
Services
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Volunteers promote HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention through Voluntary Counseling and
Testing (VCT) campaigns. These events are also opportunities to advocate the prevention of
Mother to Child Transmission (MCTP). PCVS also develop and implement anti-stigma programs.
They encourage care and support for people living with HIV (PLWH).
To improve nutrition, PCVs work with CHiP (Community Health Improvement Program) Zones and
local health promoters to encourage baby-weighing campaigns. They also implement PD-HEARTH
programs which depend on the identification of a woman who already practices preferred
behaviors, and organize a series of training events to transfer these behaviors to other women.
2012 Results
In 2012, PCVs effectively implemented activities related to the first goal, of helping individuals
and service providers initiate, develop and implement health education activities in order to
improve family health. PCVs worked with male and female service providers. They also worked
successfully with youth leaders for many of these activities.
PCVs engage
Individuals Service Providers in
18000 700 organizational
16000 600
development
14000 activities to
500 improve
12000
10000 400 management
8000 300
of community
6000 health, water
200 and sanitation
4000
2000 100 committees.
0 0 PC will
over 24 15 – under TOTALS over 24 15 – 24 under TOTALS
24 15 15
continue to
explore
Males Females Males Females creative ways
to reorganize
and strengthen the WATSAN Committees and develop strong relationships with the District Water
and Sanitation Teams so as to help improve in this vital area.
PCVs in the Health Project and other sectors as well, are effective in implementing HIV/AIDS
education, awareness (including anti-stigma) and prevention activities to reduce the transmission of
HIV and sensitizing community members. In the coming year, they will aim to conduct more
activities/programs on VCT and PMTCT, and with at-risk populations.
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EDUCATION PROJECT
The very first Peace Corps Volunteers were
teachers in Ghana. For 50 years, the
Education Program has been fielding
Americans in Ghanaian schools through the
longest running, uninterrupted Peace Corps
program in the world.
Since the inception of the program, more than
600 public schools have benefited from the
services of Education PCVs. Currently, 60
PCVs work in rural schools so that students will
realize their optimum potential by
participating in innovative and gender-
sensitive educational opportunities in the
classroom and community.
Education Project Over the years, Volunteers have made a significant impact in
Advisory Committee satisfying the manpower needs of the country. PCVs have
(PAC) Members: developed teaching and learning materials including resource
manuals and guides for both students and teachers. They have
Ministry of Education been involved in setting up and managing science and computer
laboratories as well as art studios to facilitate practical hands-on
Ghana Education activities for students. They are able to use locally available
Service materials where resources are scarce and through innovative
teaching methodologies, they motivate their students to acquire
West African life skills and realize their optimum potentials.
Examinations Council
(WAEC) The Peace Corps Education Program has been, and continues to
be, very effective. Many high ranking civil and public servants,
Kwame Nkrumah including the current President John Mahama, have been taught
University of Science by Peace Corps Volunteer. Additionally many have stated: “the
and Technology fact that I was taught by a Peace Corps volunteer during my
(KNUST) school days has helped me to get to where I am today.”
Youth Education
Foundation (YEF)
Partners in Education
4-H of Ghana Peace Corps’ major partner for the Education Program is the
Government of Ghana. On the national level, Peace Corps
Parent-Teacher collaborates with the Ghana Education Service to implement the
Associations Ghana educational policy. (See side bar for the members of the
Education PAC committee.)
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2012 Results
Teachers A total 67 PCVs reported under the education goals
, 2,535 and objectives in 2012. They impacted a total of
34,520 people, the majority of whom are students
benefitting directly from classroom teaching. Every
Visual education PCV is engaged in teaching, whether in a
Aids
JHS, SHS, Deaf School or Teacher Training College. All
7,500
together, they worked with 2,535 teachers to improve
Students teaching skills. Specific activities inducted by PCVs
12,365 include:
Clubs &
Camps 32PCVs formed and ran various clubs which empowered
12,120 about 12,000 students in many different ways.
27 PCVs were involved in the organization of youth
camps to develop the potential of 120 students and to
build their capacity to be good leaders, peer educators
and development agents.
14 PCVs helped to provide needed resources like books, other teaching and learning aids,
furniture and infrastructure to their schools and communities.
12 PCVs created teaching and learning materials like periodic tables, world maps and murals,
impacting about 7,500 students
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they can access technical assistance and information on agricultural inputs. Farmers analyze their
commodities in terms of the value chain, identifying opportunities to add value before the product
moves up the chain. They help diversify their income sources by adopting new income generating
activities such as making soap; growing mushrooms; raising small animals; or keeping bees.
Organizational development is a key to sustainability, therefore PCVs assist Farm-Based
Organizations (FBOs) by reinforcing the basic organizational skills needed for an organization to
succeed and effectively serve its membership. This might involve helping the organization network
with resource providers, or transferring skills, such as: planning meetings; developing strategic
long-term plans; and managing the daily mechanics of the organization.
2012 Results
Peace Corps Volunteers and their Contact Persons have successfully implemented a variety of
agricultural activities in Ghana in 2012 and have helped 8,308 farmers in 168 rural communities.
Following are examples:
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Accommodation must be accessible by a 4- wheel drive vehicle throughout the year in case of an
emergency.
Have the traditional and/or local authorities in the area been informed of the PCV placement?
There is access to potable water throughout the year (pump, covered well, spigot). Water source is
no more than 2 km from PCV lodging.
The volunteer can access transportation at least one time per week within 15 kilometers of their
lodging throughout the year, which will take them to and from their banking town.
The work zone designated for the PCV does not exceed distances over 20 kilometers (round trip).
All daily transportation needs can be accomplished by bike.
The PCV should be able to travel by public transport to their bank town and return by public
transport in three days.
The area to which the Volunteer is assigned is stable (politically, economically). There are no major
rifts between different groups in the area that could create safety concerns for the volunteer
(violence between ethnic, religious, political or regional groups, and high crime rates).
The Contact Person and supervisor agree to work regularly with the PCV and to give adequate
support so that the Volunteer can live and work productively. Representatives of the host community
are also involved in the volunteer’s work plan.
Throughout the year, there is sufficient work for the Volunteer that meets the needs of the community
and the abilities of the Volunteer. The needs identified by the community include ample
opportunities for technical exchange with the PCV.
Analysis of the development history of the site presents no factors that would have a negative
impact on the ability of the volunteer to work effectively. These factors could include number of PCVs
in the past, other organizations that have worked in the site, etc.
Throughout the year, there is sufficient work for the Volunteer that meets the needs of the community
and the abilities of the Volunteer. The needs identified by the community include ample
opportunities for technical exchange with the PCV.
PCV site is no more than 15 kilometers from an e-mail facility, cell phone service area, or fixed
telephone.
Review documentation concerning development history, safety and security, and political stability
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Sealed roof made of wood/straw mat/zinc that protects the volunteer and
his/her possessions from the effects of heat, rain and vermin. Houses with bat
infested ceiling spaces are not acceptable for PCVs due to health risks.
Bathing area and toilet facility within 20 meters of the house. If shared, should
not be shared by more than 6 people. Latrine may be KVIP, VIP or pit latrine.
Toilets and bathing areas must provide privacy.
All other criteria certified after 2nd meeting are still in the same condition
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Make a commitment to serve the communities to the best of his/her ability for two years.
Use local language and adapt to expected cultural norms.
Collaborate with the Supervisor and Contact Person in planning and implementing activities in accordance
with the goals of the project and local community development plans.
Stay in communication with their APCD about the progress of their work.
Submit regular reports to the host agency and the APCD. The Peace Corps quarterly report should be
completed with the assistance of the Contact Person and/or supervisor.
Abide by Peace Corps regulations and local laws as they pertain to the Volunteer’s activities in Ghana
organization.
Work together with the contact person, to share and improve their technical abilities and to develop a
climate of mutual understanding. In this regard, the Volunteer should be available and prepared to
participate in community activities.
Focus on the transfer of skills so that the community will become empowered and take responsibility and
initiative for their own development. The Volunteer is more of a facilitator than a doer
Assist the community to identify solutions to their problems, not to provide the answers.
Establish working relations or informal activities with any person or association in the community (that is, the
Volunteer may have more than one Contact Person).
Inform his/her Contact Person in case of emergencies.
Keep his/her Contact Person informed about his/her activities and whereabou
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Supervises the Peace Corps Volunteer including the responsibility of providing feedback to the Volunteer
on his/her performance.
Design a work plan with the Volunteer.
Provide a job framework and work activities for the Volunteer.
Provides counseling and guidance to Volunteers in the planning, execution and evaluation of project
activities.
Provides timely and locally appropriate technical assistance to Volunteer to ensure project success. Directs
Volunteer to where he/she can obtain resources.
Provides support in emergencies
Collaborates with program managers and other program and training staff on project and training needs
Assesses job performance with the volunteer
Visits Volunteer's site and provides technical advice and direction in project activities
Approves Volunteer's vacation leave requests prior to the approval by the APCD and Peace Corps
Country Director.
Ensures Volunteer safety and security in the community hosting the Volunteer.
Assists the Volunteer in resolving issues and conflicts.
Informs Peace Corps (APCD) on any problems the volunteer encounters.
Assists in the provision of housing and repairs of housing of volunteers.
There should be regular communication between Ghana Supervisors and the APCDs . Too often, communication
starts when there is a problem, especially if the role of the PCV and the roles of everyone involved in the life
of the PCV are not clear.
Peace Corps sees the role of the APCD and the Host Agency as working in closely with each other. When
APCDs make treks to visit the volunteers they should also meet with the supervisors and review the volunteers
progress and challenges. Working with Americans can be a rewarding and a challenging opportunity. Peace
Corps wants this to be a good experience for our partners, that is why we have an open door policy for
supervisors and Contact Persons to discuss any concerns they have.
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Educate the PCV on how things work in the community, and on important community events
Be available to help the PCV in a variety of situations: technical work, cultural integration, moral support,
protocol, and lodging, and especially in emergencies
Provide advice to the PCV on cultural/technical issues
Introduce the PCV to the community and encourage the PCV to solve his/her own problems by him/herself,
and/or seek advice from other community members
Ensure that local needs are recognized and met
Act as a resource for people and things
Provide feedback on safety issues
Be involved, to the extent possible, in the same types of activities as those undertaken by the PCV in the
community.
Work together with the PCV to share and improve their technical abilities and to develop a climate of
mutual understanding.
Continue to build local capacity after the volunteer has left.
Inform Peace Corps of Safety and Security issues in the community.
In his/her role as a community development agent, the PCV may establish working relations or informal
activities with any person or association in the community.
Maintain professional and amicable relations with the PCV. Any incident or situation which interferes with
this collaboration will be communicated to the appropriate authority (host agency, Peace Corps).
However, Volunteers and Contact Persons should work together to solve their problems themselves first.
Serve as a catalyst in the promotion of community development. The Contact Person should help to
facilitate the involvement of all sectors of the community (for example, women, youth, different clans, etc.).
Contact Persons should direct or link the PCV to other people or sectors in the community.
Be prepared to share/talk about problems associated with the project.
Inform Peace Corps (APCD) about any problems the volunteer encounters
Assist in the provision of housing and repairs housing of volunteers
Not receive any monetary compensation for their activities as a contact person. Expenses incurred while
traveling for official PC work will be reimbursed (transportation costs and daily perdiem minus meals
provided during training events.) Lodging during training events will be provided by Peace Corps.
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Contact Persons hopefully become the friends of the volunteers and help them navigate the cultural waters in
both work and in the community. At the very least the Contact Persons should let volunteers know what they
should and should not do when they meet people. A Contact Person should remember that in the context of
working here in Ghana and dealing with people, as PCVs will do things in the beginning like they do in the
United States.
The person selected to be the Peace Corps Volunteer’s official Contact Person should have the
following attributes:
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1. Name of Requester:
2. Service/Organization:
3. Address:
4. Telephone:
5. E-Mail:___________________________________________________
6. Sector requested (Number in order of interest 1= most needed, 2= somewhat needed, 3= least needed):
Education
Agriculture
Health/Water and Sanitation
7. Community/District/Region:_________________________________________________
13. Additional partner agencies working in the area (NGOs, CBOs, District Initiatives, etc.):
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15. Potential work activities in addition to those in the project area (such as youth clubs, women’s
groups, etc.):
16. Proposed communities where the PCV would be working and distance from the PCVs home:
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