Promoting Africa as a Source of Knowledge Since 1994
Student and Youth Travel Organisation (SYTO) Ghana
Founded in 1994 by Dr. Edmund O-T. Prempeh and Ms Marian Thompson, the Student and Youth Travel Organisation (SYTO) Ghana has spent over three decades connecting young people to educational travel, volunteering, internships, and sustainable tourism opportunities, building bridges across Africa and beyond.
30+
Years of Impact
6
African Countries
4
Core Pillars
Programmes That Shape the Next Generation
Our SYTO Clubs and programmes are built around four transformative pillars, each designed to equip young people with the skills, experiences, and networks to thrive in a connected world.
Purpose Travelling
Travel that integrates cultural exchange, sustainable tourism, community impact, and heritage education. We organise heritage immersion trips, eco-tourism projects, community service travel, and festival & cultural exchange programmes.
Changing Lives Across Africa and Beyond
From teaching in rural classrooms to exploring Ghana's heritage sites, SYTO connects young people to transformative experiences that build character, skills, and global citizenship.
Programme 01 / 05
Volunteering
2–4 week community placements in education, health, and public institutions in Ghana, Africa, and beyond.
Ghana BNB
Stay With Purpose
Live with a vetted host family wherever your programme takes you, in Africa or abroad. Not a hotel, a home. Not a booking, a match.
The Mensah Family
“Hosting volunteers has brought the world into our home. We've welcomed guests from 12 countries.”
The Osei-Bonsu Family
“Our teaching volunteers become part of the family. They leave with a deeper understanding of Ghanaian life.”
The Diallo Family
“We host interns who work in Dakar's media and tech scene. Teranga is more than a word here. It's how we live.”
Our Partners
Supported by embassies, universities and organisations across Africa and beyond.
What Our Participants Say
From Accra to Dakar, SYTO programmes have impacted thousands of young people worldwide. Here is what some of them have to say.
“Joining SYTO opened doors I never imagined. The international diplomacy exchange gave me the confidence to represent Ghana at a youth summit in Senegal.”
“Teaching in rural communities through SYTO was the most rewarding experience of my life. It changed how I see education and my responsibility to the next generation.”
“SYTO placed me in a media internship that launched my career. The cross-cultural exposure and professional mentorship were invaluable.”
“The entrepreneurship incubation programme gave me a business framework and connected me with seed funding partners. My startup now employs five people.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SYTO Ghana?
SYTO (Student and Youth Travel Organisation) Ghana is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation founded in 1994 by Dr. Edmund O-T. Prempeh and Ms Marian Thompson. We promote educational travel, volunteering, internships, digital skills, and cross-cultural exchange for youth worldwide. We operate in 6+ countries across Africa and partner with institutions globally.
What is a SYTO Club and how do I join?
SYTO Clubs are grassroots chapters embedded in Senior High Schools and universities. They serve as the primary community touchpoint for our 4 programme pillars: Purpose Travelling, Digital Youth Skills, International Diplomacy, and Entrepreneurship Development. To join, find your nearest campus chapter using our club finder or reach out to us directly.
How do I start a SYTO Club at my school or university?
Any student group can apply to establish a SYTO Club at their institution. You will need a faculty advisor, a founding committee of at least 5 students, and an institution that is willing to host. Contact us through our website or visit our HQ in Accra to begin the registration process.
What are SYTO's 4 programme pillars?
Our four pillars are: (1) Purpose Travelling, which covers cultural exchange, eco-tourism, and heritage education trips; (2) Digital Youth Skills, including training in coding, content creation, digital marketing, and AI; (3) International Diplomacy Exchanges, encompassing student exchange programmes, youth summits, and embassy partnerships; and (4) Entrepreneurship Development, offering business incubation, startup mentorship, and access to micro-grants.
Which African countries does SYTO operate in?
SYTO Ghana's philosophy and framework has been adopted in Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo, and South Africa, in addition to our founding base in Ghana.
How can my organisation partner with SYTO?
We welcome partnerships with embassies, universities, corporations, and NGOs. Opportunities include corporate sponsorships, grant & donor partnerships, university network affiliations, and embassy collaboration for diplomacy exchanges. Get in touch via our contact page and a member of our partnerships team will respond.
Connect With SYTO Ghana
Whether you want to join a club, start a chapter, partner with us, or learn more about our programmes, we'd love to hear from you. Reach out and a member of our team will get back to you.
Email Us
info@sytoghana.org
Call Us
+233 (0) 30 000 0000
Visit Us
Accra, Ghana. HQ & Youth Innovation Hub