Ghana
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.
You will need to secure a job before going to Ghana as you have to present an employment contract in order to obtain a work permit. You should take extra care when applying for jobs from the UK especially via the internet as employment scams are in operation in Ghana. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) reports that fake offers of employment or business opportunities are sometimes used to extract money from UK and European nationals. Ensure you use a reputable source when searching for job vacancies.
Application procedures in Ghana are similar to those in the UK. A CV and covering letter are used or in some instances an application form will be used instead. Ensure you keep your language and tone formal in the application and double check your spelling and grammar.
Find out more about applying for jobs, CVs and cover letters and interview tips.
CVs are similar to those used in the UK and should contain details of your education, qualifications, employment history and any other relevant experience. Ensure that your CV is targeted to the specific job you are applying for and that it illustrates the skills required for the job.
Some recruitment websites allow you to upload your CV so that it can be viewed by potential employers. In these instances make sure the CV is clear and shows the type of job you are interested in.
Large multinational companies may use an application form instead of requesting a CV and covering letter.
Overseas applicants will generally be interviewed in their home country before being offered a job. This is especially the case if being interviewed by an international company which has offices in the UK. Alternatively, a telephone interview may be carried out instead. Interviews follow a similar format to that used for jobs in the UK.
Vetting of your qualifications will usually be dealt with by your prospective employer. You may wish to contact the Ghana Ministry of Education, Science and Sport (via Ghana Government ) in the first instance if you have questions about the suitability of your qualifications.
If you are planning to live and work in Ghana, check your UK tax and National Insurance position with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to ensure that you are not losing any UK pension rights.
The Kidon Media-Link may also be a useful resource as it provides information on newspapers in various countries.
You will need to conduct your job search while still in the UK. Try approaching companies that have bases in both the UK and Ghana, or could potentially expand into Ghana (e.g. oil or mineral companies), to investigate future vacancies.
The higher education structure in Ghana is similar to that in the UK. Qualifications are available at MA, MPhil and PhD level. Courses are offered at universities and polytechnics, and the higher education system also includes a variety of institutions including tutorial, theological and training colleges and technical institutions.
A variety of subjects are offered at MA, MPhil and PhD level. These include English, economics, geography and political science. It is also possible to study medicine and dentistry in Ghana but there may be extra requirements for entry on to these types of courses.
The language of instruction for all postgraduate courses in Ghana is typically English.
Contact individual institutions for further information on the courses that they offer.
There are 12 universities and 10 polytechnics in Ghana. The main universities are:
For a full list of universities see Ghana Government Portal - Schools and Universities .
Entry requirements for postgraduate courses are a good first degree, usually a 2:2 or above, in an appropriate subject and from a recognised university. Prospective students must also have a good level of English. The specific subject and grade required varies depending on the institution so contact them directly to find out more.
Application opening and closing dates vary depending on the institution. For example, applications for the University of Ghana are open for postgraduate courses from December to 31 March each year. Check with the institution directly to find out specific dates.
The postgraduate application process varies depending on the course. Some departments use downloadable application forms, while others use paper forms. There is often an application fee, payable upon collection of the application form.
Application forms usually ask for details of previous study and a referee. There is not usually a requirement for a personal statement.
Fees vary according to the type of programme and the institution.
The University of Ghana charges fees for application, registration services, medical services, course fees and examination fees.
Some universities also offer dedicated services for international students, e.g. orientation programmes, pastoral support and activities, which are available for a fee.
The University of Ghana gives the figure of around £3,400 for tuition fees (for MA/MSc study), £250 for examinations, £155 for the dissertation, £46 for registration and £1,000 for residential fees.
The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) works on a variety of funding projects that assist pan-Commonwealth movement schemes, such as the Commonwealth Universities Study Abroad Consortium (CUSAC), which provide funding for student exchange and study abroad opportunities. ACU also manages a range of scholarship schemes, fellowship programmes and bursaries that support international joint activities involving British scholars in collaboration with Commonwealth partners. Some of these are designed to enable medical students in Britain to gain practical experience in developing Commonwealth countries during their elective period.
The University of Ghana: International Programmes Office runs an International Student Exchange. It has various partner institutions across the world. See the website for more information.
The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) offers study opportunities in Ghana. CIEE helps students in Ghana locate housing in on- or off-campus apartments.
UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom) provides information about the equivalency of qualifications and skills from overseas to the UK’s national qualifications framework. Visit their website for more information on the services they provide.
UK nationals must have a visa in order to enter Ghana. Visas are granted for the purposes of tourism, study, business and transit and you must make sure you obtain the correct one to suit your circumstances.
If you enter Ghana on a tourist visa you are not allowed to undertake any paid work while in the country. Ghana has Immigrant Quotas which dictate the amount of immigrants allowed in each profession. Immigrant Quota permission must be obtained before going to Ghana and the appropriate work visa must also be sought.
If you are going to Ghana on business purposes you must produce evidence of this, i.e. a letter from the employer or company.
Most visas are valid for a period of three months, although visas lasting for one year are available for specific purposes. Visas can be granted for single or multiple entry. Overstaying on your visa without proper authority is a serious matter and may lead to detention or refusal to allow you to leave the country until a fine is paid.
Applications for each type of visa can be made online at the Ghana High Commission website. It also gives details of the requirements for obtaining a visa.
Professionals (doctors, lawyers, nurses) are required to provide particulars of their qualifications to determine the eligibility of their registration.
If you are not a UK national, contact the Ghanaian embassy in the country where you are currently residing about how to obtain visas and work permits.
You might also find it helpful to contact your ministry of foreign affairs (or your own embassy if you are not living in your home country) to ask whether there are any issues to be taken into account when considering working in Ghana.
You can only apply for permanent residency if:
If you fulfill one of the above criteria and would like to apply for permanent residency you must complete the relevant application form and provide several pieces of documentation. For more information see the Ghana Immigration Service .
There is no central publicly funded advice and guidance service, but individual schools and colleges provide their own services for their students, such as library facilities.
The British High Commission - Ghana has useful information on what to do in an emergency and can offer help to British nationals facing difficulties. This includes issuing replacement passports, providing help if you are a victim of crime, contacting family in emergencies, and providing details of lawyers, doctors, etc. See the website for more information.
Emergency telephone numbers:
Find the latest travel advice and a traveller’s checklist on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.
