Fall/Winter Law & Human Rights Internship (Ghana)
Fall/Winter Law & Human Rights Internship (Ghana)
Job Description
Organization: Pro-Passion Projects
Location: Accra, Ghana (Legal Aid Commission, Islamic Mediation Center, & Legislative Institutions)
Program Term: Fall & Winter Cohorts (August – December)
Duration: 4 Weeks (Extensions available)
Application Deadline: Rolling / Until Filled
Placement Capacity: Limited Slots Available
About the Internship
Building on our established track record of hosting excellent students from premier institutions like Williams College and Syracuse University, Pro-Passion Projects invites undergraduates and recent graduates to apply for our hands-on Fall/Winter Law and Human Rights Internship in Accra, Ghana. Following a series of highly successful cohorts featuring dedicated interns from these universities, this program offers a structured opportunity during the academic year to gain deep, practical exposure to legal aid, judicial systems, and grassroots advocacy in West Africa.
Based in Accra, this internship allows participants to study the realities of access to justice in a developing context while actively contributing to community-based initiatives that promote legal awareness, human rights protection, and structural mediation. This program is ideal for students pursuing careers or studies in law (Pre-Law tracks), human rights, political science, international relations, criminology, sociology, or related disciplines.
Internship Responsibilities
Interns operate under direct institutional guidance and carry out diverse legal and advocacy tasks, including:
Assisting legal professionals with client intake processing and initial case documentation.
Observing legal consultations, case strategy meetings, and court preparation processes.
Supporting critical research initiatives on human rights frameworks and local access-to-justice barriers.
Assisting with legal awareness campaigns, community education, and empowerment workshops.
Preparing legal summaries, briefs, and research reports on complex regional legal topics.
Observing formal and community-based dispute resolution and mediation workflows.
Professional Placement Experience
Participants gain multifaceted field exposure through structured, supervised engagement with formal legal systems and vital community-led organizations:
The Legal Aid Commission: Work within a formal state infrastructure to observe client intake and legal assistance workflows for vulnerable populations.
Judicial Observation: Attend formal court visits to view active legal proceedings and analyze the Ghanaian judicial hierarchy firsthand.
Legislative Studies: Participate in educational visits to Ghana’s Parliament House to study legislative frameworks and policy-making processes.
Community Advocacy: Engage directly with impactful grassroots empowerment initiatives, such as the Achievers Girls Program and localized mediation strategies at the Islamic Mediation Center.
Professional Supervision, Mentorship & Past Success
Pro-Passion Projects is highly experienced in meeting the rigorous experiential learning and mentorship criteria expected by top-tier international universities. Our legal interns receive excellent on-site guidance from seasoned professionals:
At the Legal Aid Commission, interns are directly supervised by Deborah Mensah (Legal Officer), who guides daily client consultations and documentation tracking.
Participants receive high-level mentorship from Yvonne Amegashie, Esq. (Assistant Director at the Legal Aid Commission), providing master-level context on legal procedures, human rights advocacy, and systemic delivery.
Complementing this institutional instruction, the Pro-Passion Projects leadership team manages all logistical parameters, including a comprehensive arrival orientation, safe local transport configurations, secure host family housing, and regular reflective check-ins.
Learning Outcomes
By the conclusion of the program, interns will:
Develop a granular, practical understanding of international human rights and legal aid frameworks.
Gain clear insight into legal access challenges and formal vs. customary dispute resolution in West Africa.
Strengthen essential legal research, analytical writing, and cross-cultural advocacy skills.
Earn an official Certificate of Completion and a formal Reference Letter documenting field hours and casework.
Accommodation and Cultural Experience
Participants stay with carefully vetted, welcoming local host families in Accra, ensuring an authentic, immersive, and highly secure cultural baseline.
Accommodations Include: A private or shared room, three daily meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), and deep integration into local community life.
Cultural Immersive Features: Once-weekly structured cultural activities, including local language lessons, African drumming, dance, and traditional cooking classes, alongside excursions to historic landmarks like Cape Coast Castle and the National Museum.
Program Fee: USD $1,600 (For a 4-week internship)
Fee Includes: Institutional placement and facility coordination, professional legal/outreach supervision, host family accommodations, three meals per day, airport pickup/arrival support, and 24/7 on-ground emergency support.
Not Included: International flights, entry visa fees, travel insurance, personal expenses, or independent weekend excursions.
Eligibility & Requirements
Open to currently enrolled undergraduate students, graduate students, or recent graduates.
Academic background or a documented, strong interest in law, human rights, policy, or international relations.
Minimum age of 18 by the start of the program.
Valid passport, committed adherence to a 4-week term, and up-to-date vaccinations (including Yellow Fever).
About Pro-Passion Projects
Pro-Passion Projects is an established, Ghana-based organization dedicated to partnering with public, judicial, and local institutions to provide meaningful international internships and community engagement opportunities. Our programs emphasize experiential learning, professional mentorship, deep cultural exchange, and sustainable community impact.