Located in West Africa, Ghana is surrounded by three francophone countries – Burkina Faso, Togo and Ivory Coast in the north, east and west respectively. The population of Ghana is estimated at 22,409,572 in 2006. 57.7 percent are aged from 15 to 64. Sixty-three percent of the people are Christians, sixteen percent are Muslims and twenty-one percent follow indigenous beliefs.
Ghana has enjoyed an annual growth in GDP since 2001 from 4.2 percent, to 5.8 percent in 2004 and six percent in 2006. The countries principal exports are gold, cocoa beans and timber the main destinations of which are the UK, US, Netherlands and France.
Ghana is currently the UK’s fourth largest export market in Africa behind South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya. Britain remains Ghana’s main trading partner. Major exports from Ghana to the UK are cocoa/spices, fish, vegetables and fruit. Export of horticultural produce was about USD 50 million in 2004. This industry is growing about 20 percent annually. Ghana ranks among the top six suppliers of horticultural produce to the EU markets.
Ghana benefits from a stable multiparty political environment and has roughly twice the per capita output of the poorer countries in West Africa. The fact that Ghana’s debt has been annulled also benefits the liberal market economy that incorporates a proliferation of foreign businesses. Declining interest rates from 50 percent in 2000 to currently 21 percent (Feb 2006) assists prosperity. The relatively high number of recent graduates from Ghanaian public and private universities and polytechnics also contribute to growth.
The growing number of local middle class Ghanaians sending their children to further their education in UK, the number of organisations sponsoring their employees to further their studies in UK and the preference of young professionals choosing to further their studies shows the potential of the international education market in relation to gaining a competitive advantage within the job market.
Access to the internet is expanding and mobile phones have taken over as the preferred communications choice for young professionals, students, workers and officials. One estimate gives the number of mobile phone users in Ghana as just under three million.
The present education system can be described as 6-3-3-4 system. Six years of primary education, three years of junior secondary school (JSS). Three years of senior secondary school (SSS) (about to be changed to four years) with four years of university undergraduate degree studies (except medicine six years, foreign languages 4 + 1 year study abroad).
British Council Ghana recommends that the English Language skills of graduates, particularly those who have commenced working after completing their studies should be verified. An IELTS exam is available through the British Council in Ghana.
A sizeable overseas diaspora Ghanaian population has settled in Europe and North America, providing through remittances a wide base of funding to support relatives to study for overseas qualifications.
Despite economic difficulties, students and parents remain interested and willing to invest in study overseas, calculating that an overseas education and qualifications will give students a competitive edge in securing a job or establishing a business. Many of the larger employers (e.g. financial institutions, Unilever Ghana, Nestle Ghana, Coca Cola Ghana, etc) illustrate a preference for overseas qualifications over those obtained locally.
The heritage of the Ghana Education system is the British education system. English is the official language and language of instruction in many schools as a result of historical colonial contact. UK alumni include a large number of high profile including the current President, the Defence, Foreign Affairs, Education and Sports Ministers, and the Asantehene (King of the Ashanti Kingdom).
Lack of local capacity in public and private institutions mean more than 50 per cent of those who qualify do not gain admission to university. Most students rank the UK highly because of the reputation of UK education, its wide range of courses, selection of foundation programmes and because of the similarities between the Ghanaian and UK education systems.
In terms of opportunities for UK education providers' products/services the following trends are identifiable:
- Undergraduate degree holders: typically looking for postgraduate degree programmes mostly taught courses. These students pursue mainly one year master’s programmes as they are able to mobilise the necessary funds for the cost of their study. Presently they constitute about 60 per cent of students currently studying in the UK
- Polytechnic HND holders: typically looking for one or two year’s undergraduate degree top-up courses or pre-Masters/postgraduate foundation courses.
- Senior Secondary School Certificate holders (Scottish Highers equivalent): typically looking for foundation/access or A- levels.
- Professional/Career-based applicants: typically provides opportunity for providers of courses in accounting, marketing, and hospitality management especially leading to exams and qualifications of leading professional bodies like ACCA, CIMA, CIM, etc.
- Short courses: workers/professionals looking for professional development opportunities to update knowledge and skills.
- Rising acceptance of distance learning as an alternative study option, especially postgraduate study by working professional’s.
There is evidence that the British Council’s increased promotion of the Education UK brand and UK trade recruitment visits, both of which have grown substantially over the past years, are having a positive affect on perceptions of study in the UK.
A British Council survey carried out in Ghana on the higher education market indicated that:
- The average Ghanaian is very much interested in or preoccupied with advancing his/her academic and professional background and qualification.
- The Government of Ghana is strongly committed to advancing distance learning as an integral part of the educational system in Ghana from kindergarten on.
- Private tertiary education and professional development are personally financed to a large extent.
Our offices in Accra and Kumasi also offer facilities to support distance learners such as; Information on UK DL provision; Electronic resources and remote access; Learning support and study skills and examination services. British Council manages DELPHE and Global School Partnerships activities in Ghana which provides evidence of very strong ties with UK institutions at the school and university levels.
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