Forever Connected
Ghana Artisans Trip
Transformational Journey Through History, Culture, Leadership, and Identity
Experience Ghana Beyond Tourism
The Forever Connected Ghana Artisans Trip is an immersive educational and cultural experience designed to connect young people to history, identity, leadership, and the African diaspora through hands-on learning and meaningful cultural engagement.
Participants travel through Ghana while learning directly from local artisans, visiting historical sites, engaging in leadership reflection, and experiencing daily life in community-centered environments.
"This is more than a trip. It is a transformational educational experience."
Summer 2026 Trip Details
Travel Dates
The program is tentatively scheduled for approximately two weeks during the last week of June and first week of July.
Exact travel dates are finalized after participant selection and once airfare, scheduling, and program logistics have been coordinated to best support the group experience.
Sample Itinerary
Request ItineraryExpenses that we cover include:
- oLodging accommodations in Ghana
- oAirfare to and from Ghana
- oIn-country (Ghana) group transportation
- oAirport pickup and drop-off in Ghana
- oDaily cultural and artisan experiences
- oEntrance fees for scheduled group activities and historical sites
- oGroup leadership discussions and reflection activities
- oSome meals during the trip
- oGhanaian guides and program support staff
- oAdult supervision and chaperones
Participants / Families are responsible for:
- oPassport costs
- oVisa or visa-on-arrival fees
- oRequired fundraising participation
- oPersonal spending money
- oAdditional snacks, meals, or personal food preferences
- oSouvenirs and optional purchases
Fundraising Requirement
Participants must complete a $1,500 friends-and-family fundraising campaign to help support the experience.
Fundraising guidance and support will be provided.
Passport & Visa Assistance
A valid passport and a visa are required for travel to Ghana. To support families through this process, we are pleased to partner with The Adinkra Group, a Ghana-based cultural tourism and educational travel organization that will serve as our Visa Advisory Partner.
Passport Requirements
Participants are responsible for obtaining and maintaining a valid passport. Families are responsible for all passport-related costs and should begin the passport process as early as possible.
Visa Options
Participants are responsible for all visa-related fees and requirements. Several visa options may be available depending on travel timelines and current Ghanaian immigration policies.
1. Mail-In Visa (Recommended)
The mail-in process through the Embassy of Ghana in Washington, D.C. is the recommended, most straightforward, and cost-effective method.
Through our partnership with The Adinkra Group, participants will receive:
- o Visa application guidance
- o Step-by-step instructional videos
- o Invitation letters (when required)
- o Host information and supporting documentation
- o Assistance throughout the application process
Instructional video tutorials are available to guide participants through the process.
Helpful Visa Application Videos
-
Start a New Visa Application
https://vimeo.com/1051878921 -
Complete a Visa Application Already in Progress
https://vimeo.com/1051879295
Participants should begin the visa process as soon as possible. While travel is approaching, there is still time for many participants to successfully complete the mail-in visa process if they act promptly.
Best Value: For most participants, the mail-in visa process offers the best combination of cost, predictability, support, and processing reliability.
2. e-Visa
Ghana’s e-Visa system allows eligible travelers to apply online without mailing their passport.
Because the e-Visa program is relatively new, applicants may occasionally encounter technical issues, processing changes, or other administrative challenges as the system continues to evolve.
The e-Visa option is generally more expensive than the traditional mail-in visa process. Families considering this option should carefully review current requirements, timelines, and fees before applying.
Additional information about Ghana’s e-Visa program can be found at:
https://evisa.immigration.gov.gh/
3. Visa on Arrival
In limited circumstances, a Visa on Arrival may be available when a participant is unable to complete the standard visa process before departure.
This option is generally reserved for exceptional situations and carries a higher cost than the traditional visa process.
Visa on Arrival approvals are typically issued for a single entry into Ghana and may not provide the same flexibility as a traditional visa obtained before travel.
Availability, requirements, timelines, and costs are determined by the Government of Ghana and may change without notice.
Need Assistance?
The Adinkra Group serves as the official Visa Advisory Partner for the Forever Connected Ghana Artisans Trip.
Families who need assistance with visa questions, documentation requirements, or application guidance may contact:
The Adinkra Group
Email: info@theadinkragroup.com
We’re Here to Help
Our goal is to make international travel accessible and manageable for families. The Forever Connected team and The Adinkra Group will work together to provide guidance, reminders, resources, and support throughout the passport and visa process so participants can focus on preparing for an unforgettable educational experience in Ghana.
Akwaaba — Welcome to Ghana!
Chaperone Info
A limited number of adult chaperones may join the experience based on available space.
Chaperones are responsible for their own airfare. Lodging (as a part of the group), group transportation, and many meals are provided at a nominal cost.
Voices from the Trip
Photos / Videos
About the Experience
Why Ghana?
Ghana is uniquely suited for this experience because it combines rich history, cultural preservation, political stability, and an English-speaking environment that makes meaningful engagement accessible for young people.
Participants experience Ghana beyond tourism by connecting directly with local communities, artisans, historical landmarks, and everyday life. Through these experiences, students gain a deeper understanding of culture, entrepreneurship, creativity, leadership, and the global African diaspora.
For many participants, the trip becomes more than travel. It becomes an opportunity for reflection, identity development, relationship building, and cultural connection.
Why Artisans?
The Forever Connected Ghana Artisans Trip is centered around learning directly from artisans because artisans preserve culture through creativity, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurship.
Participants spend time with bead makers, brass workers, wood carvers, waist bead creators, drum makers, and other skilled craftspeople whose knowledge has often been passed down through generations.
Rather than simply observing culture, students actively engage with it through hands-on learning experiences that encourage creativity, patience, discipline, and problem-solving.
These experiences also expose participants to entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency by showing how individuals use their skills and creativity to support themselves, their families, and their communities.
The artisan experience transforms the trip from sightseeing into meaningful cultural immersion and experiential learning.
Leadership Development
The trip is intentionally structured to support leadership development through teamwork, reflection, cultural engagement, and real-world experiences.
Participants strengthen communication, responsibility, adaptability, and problem-solving skills while engaging in daily reflection circles and group discussions focused on identity, accountability, relationships, and personal growth.
The experience encourages young people to grow not only as travelers, but as leaders within their families, schools, and communities.
Reflection Circles
Daily reflection circles give participants the opportunity to process what they are learning and experiencing throughout the trip.
Through guided discussion and conversation, students explore topics such as leadership, identity, history, accountability, relationships, and personal growth while strengthening communication and connection within the group.
These conversations help transform the trip from travel into a deeper educational and personal experience.
Cultural Immersion
Participants experience Ghana through direct engagement with local communities, artisans, history, food, traditions, and everyday life.
Rather than simply visiting Ghana as tourists, students actively participate in community-centered experiences that encourage deeper understanding, cultural connection, and personal growth.
This immersive approach helps participants strengthen their understanding of identity, leadership, history, and the African diaspora.
Safety / Support Structure
Participants travel within a supervised cohort supported by adult chaperones, Ghanaian guides, and dedicated transportation staff.
The program includes structured schedules, organized group activities, coordinated housing and transportation, regular check-ins, and ongoing mentorship throughout the experience.
This support structure helps create an environment focused on safety, communication, accountability, and positive group connection.
Meet the Artisans
Bead Makers
Our bead-making partner is a respected Krobo artisan whose family has practiced the traditional art of Ghanaian glass bead making for generations. The Krobo people are internationally known for their vibrant recycled glass beads and their deep cultural significance throughout West Africa. During the experience, participants learn the full bead-making process, from crushing recycled glass and preparing molds to firing, painting, and finishing the beads by hand. More than a demonstration, the experience offers direct engagement with living history, creativity, entrepreneurship, and cultural preservation.
Cowrie Shell Jewelry Creators
We have worked with our cowrie shell jewelry artisan for many years. Part of a family tradition, he learned the craft from his older brother many years ago and continues to carry that knowledge forward today. Nestled in a small shop along the beach, he creates beautiful handmade cowrie shell necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and other jewelry. During the experience, participants learn directly from him as they design and create their own pieces while gaining exposure to craftsmanship, creativity, entrepreneurship, and cultural tradition.
Wood Carvers
Our woodcarving partner is an extraordinary artisan who was trained by his father and continues a family tradition of craftsmanship passed down through generations. Over the years, he has created masterful works ranging from sculptures, carved doors, drums, and stools to many other handcrafted pieces that reflect the richness of Ghanaian artistry. Beyond his skill as a craftsman, he also shares the history, traditions, and cultural practices connected to the work, helping participants understand the deeper meaning behind the art they experience.
Brass Workers
Our brass-working partner was trained by his father, who still leads and works alongside him in their family shop today. In this vibrant industrial workshop, participants experience the full process of traditional brass bracelet making, from melting and molding the brass to shaping, carving, and adding intricate details to each piece. We have partnered with him and his father for many years, and the craftsmanship they produce is truly remarkable.
Waist Bead Creators
Our waist bead artisan partner is a longtime merchant at one of Ghana's prominent bead markets, and we have worked with him for many years. He leads an engaging hands-on workshop where participants learn how to design and string waist beads while also creating the threading systems used to complete the pieces. Guided by his decades of experience in the bead industry, participants explore color, symbolism, creativity, and personal expression throughout the process.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Transformational experiences should be accessible to more young people.
Through community partnerships and sponsorship support, the Forever Connected Ghana Artisans Trip is able to expand opportunities for youth to experience leadership development, cultural immersion, entrepreneurship, and hands-on learning in Ghana.
Sponsors help make possible:
- ·Additional student participation
- ·Artisan Experiences
- ·Housing and Transportation
- ·Cultural and Educational Programming
- ·Expansion from one cohort to multiple cohorts
Whether you are an individual supporter, business, church, fraternity, sorority, or community organization, your partnership can help shape a life-changing experience for a young person.
Frequently Asked Questions
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