VIP invites you to explore Ghana  and to learn about its people and culture while also contributing to its growth and development. A former British colony known as the Gold Coast, Ghana achieved independence in 1957. Following years of political turbulence, a countrywide referendum returned Ghana to democratic rule in 1992. Today Ghana enjoys relative political stability.

Even though Ghana is endowed with natural resources and has twice the per capita output of poorer countries in West Africa, international financial and technical assistance continue to be crucial to its development. Subsistence agriculture accounts for 41% of the GDP and employees 60% of the workforce.

Since March 2001, when the Government of Ghana took the bold step of taking advantage of the Enhanced Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, more funds have been released for social sector spending and poverty reduction programs. However, an enormous amount of work still needs to be done to bring about an improved economic future for the majority of Ghana's citizens.

In selecting community service projects, VIP has focused on areas of greatest need where not much assistance is available from government or other NGOs. These areas include Rural Education, Rural Development, Health, Small Scale Enterprises, Orphanages, MarketFilm and Television and Group Community Service Projects.