Safety and Security
      Back to home
      1. Brigade Support
      2. Safety and Security

      Safety and Security in Ghana

      Emergency response plans and capabilities with Global Brigades in Ghana

      All volunteers are automatically enrolled in Global Brigades’ travel insurance policy, provided by Core Travel Insurance.

      • Global Brigades Policy Number: GPT-0553718
      • Global Medical Brigades Policy Number: GPT-0553113

      If you have any questions about which policy number applies to your Brigade, please contact your Program Associate. 

      Global Brigades has established emergency procedures around Core Travel’s insurance policy underwritten by Zurich, an international insurance group. Insurance covers the volunteer for the treatment of medical or emergency needs for the duration of their Brigade.

      Additional safety and security information for Ghana Brigades is as follows:

      The on-site Global Brigades Coordinator and in-country Global Brigades Headquarters Staff have set responsibilities in the event of an emergency:

      The Coordinator is responsible for:

      •  Attending to the immediate needs of the volunteers involved.
      •  Removing other volunteers from danger.
      • Contacting local medical emergency officials, law enforcement officers, the U.S. Embassy/ Consulate, and Global Brigades USA as appropriate.
      • Ensuring volunteers are with at least one local staff member and one non-native staff member at all times during a medical emergency.

      The Coordinator will also call Zurich Travel Assist at +1-800-263-0261 if in the U.S. or +1-416-977-0277 if outside the U.S. to provide:

      • The volunteer’s name.
      • The volunteer’s policy identification number.
      • Coordinates of the distress location.
      • A phone number where they can be reached.
      If in a remote area without cellular access, the volunteer will be transported to the nearest clinic or hospital. Below is a list of local clinics and hospitals in the proximity of the Brigade site and their contact information:
        • Trauma and Specialist Hospital, Winneba: +233-20- 965-7173
        • Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra: +233-302- 665-401
      • If there are not any medical facilities to transport the volunteers to, the Coordinator will call a private emergency transportation company. Below is a list of the names and telephone numbers of possible emergency private transportation companies in Ghana:
        • National Ambulance Service: 033-232- 0111, 024-326- 6365
        • Trauma and Specialist Hospital’s Ambulance Service: 020-711- 8686

      The local In-Country Global Brigades Headquarters Staff is responsible for:

      • Contacting the Global Brigades Executive Director of that country.
      • Transcribing a call log of all calls and activities pertaining to the incident.
      • Assisting in determining proximity to the nearest hospital or clinic.
      • Verifying calls have been placed or placing calls for the on-site Coordinator to emergency response services and the U.S. Embassy/Consulate if the situation warrants it.

      In-country staff will also obtain the following information from the on-site Coordinator:

      • Name of Brigade Coordinator and volunteer at risk.
      • Identity of any other individual(s) involved.
      • Brief description of accident, illness, or emergency.
      • Complete address of the incident.
      • Multiple cell phone numbers where the at-risk volunteer can be reached.
      If the emergency is the result of a natural disaster, an act of terrorism, or an act of war, Global Brigades USA headquarters staff should ask for detailed answers to all of the following as applicable:
        • What was the terrorist target of unrest, if the event was political?
        • What is the intensity of the emergency or political unrest?
        • Are there military or emergency personnel already on-site?
        • What is the advice of the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate?
        • Are food, water, and medical supplies available?
        • Are our volunteers and staff able to travel?
        • Is the continuation of the Brigade feasible?

      In-country staff will then instruct the Brigade Coordinator/CSI to call after the emergency response team or law enforcement has arrived and contact Global Brigades CEO, Shital Vora.

      In the event of an emergency other than illness or an isolated accident, call the U.S. Department of State Citizens Emergency Center at 202/647-5225 for suggestions or assistance. Continue coordination throughout the emergency.


      Once important facts have been collected, Global Brigades USA will assemble a task force with the in-country entity to:
      • Contact family members of the volunteers involved in the incident.
      • Address immediate actions necessary to maintain the security and health of volunteers and Global Brigade staff.
      • Identify appropriate steps to take abroad such as addressing student reactions, creating a written action plan, and sending family members to the Program site.
      • Implement the evacuation plan outlined below if necessary.
      • Prepare a list of persons to be alerted such as parents or other family members,
      • Assess the impact of the event once it has ended and document all actions taken in the written report.

      Evacuation Plan for All CSI Staff, Global Brigades Staff, and Volunteers:
      If the disaster event occurs in the Central Region, all CSI staff, Global Brigades Staff, and volunteers will rendezvous in Ghana at the following address:

      Windy Lodge Hotel
      Adjacent to Ghana Police Command and Staff College, Winneba

      OR

      Windy Lodge Hotel
      3-minute drive from Winneba Junction to UEW North Campus

      If the disaster event continues, all volunteers will rendezvous at the US Embassy:

      US Embassy
      Ring Road East
      P.O. Box 194
      Accra, Ghana

      Telephone: (233) 21-775- 348
      After Hours Emergency: (233) 21-775- 297
      Fax: (233) 21-776- 008

      Any and all transportation and relocation costs related to the disaster will be covered by CSI. In the event of disaster and emergencies, all Global Brigades staff will have their ID, proof of medical insurance, and contingency funds with them at all times to assist volunteers.