What are my chances of getting a job?
Getting a graduate job in Ghana can be difficult due to competition from Ghanaian applicants and limits that are put on the amount of non-Ghanaians that employers are allowed to hire each year.
- Typical problems encountered: competition in the job market from home-grown graduates, coupled with the Immigration Quota System. Employers are only allowed to recruit non-Ghanaians for posts that are viewed as hard to fill with Ghanaian nationals. They are given quotas for these posts, which limit the number of non-Ghanaians they can recruit.
- How to improve your chances: apply for jobs while in the UK. There may be more opportunities for skilled employees in Ghana so it could be worthwhile to wait a few years after graduation to build up some experience before applying for jobs. Also check which occupations are in demand and try to develop experience within those areas. Working for a multinational company which has an office in Ghana may be another way of gaining employment in the country.
- Language requirements: the official language of Ghana is English, and this is the language used in schools, universities and most businesses. Local dialects are also widely used within the country.
Where can I work?
- Major industries: mining, food processing, light manufacturing, cement, aluminium smelting, small commercial ship building and lumbering.
- Recent growth areas: mobile phone industry, leasing industry, tourism and the service sector.
- Major companies: Scancom Ltd, Unique Trust Financial Services, Guinness Ghana Breweries, Nestle Ghana, GCNet, Toyota, Prudential Bank and Barclays Bank.
- Search for more companies: BusinessGhana
, Ghana Club 100
and Yellow Pages Ghana
.
- Major cities: Accra (capital and largest city), Kumasi, Tamale.
What’s it like working in Ghana?
- Average working hours: a maximum of 8 hours may be worked in one day with no more than 40 in one week. A minimum break of 30 minutes must be allowed in an 8-hour day. There is provision for working overtime.
- Holidays: 15 days' paid annual leave should be granted in each calendar year. For more information see the International Labour Organization (ILO): National Labour Law Profiles
.
- Tax rates: the salary level determines the amount of tax that is paid. If you earn up to GHS16,200 (Ghanaian Cedi) you will pay up to 17.5% in tax. If you earn above GHS16,200 the amount of tax paid will be 25%.
- Working practices and customs: smart dress and punctuality are expected. Addressing people by their titles (Mr, Mrs, Dr, Professor, etc.) is highly valued in the workplace.
