Ghana engages UK on IELTS exemption for students

Ghana has formally opened discussions with the United Kingdom over the possibility of exempting Ghanaian students from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), as part of broader efforts to ease access to education and professional opportunities abroad.

The engagement took place during a meeting between Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and the British High Commissioner to Ghana, His Excellency Christian Rogg, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. The talks were held against the backdrop of ongoing efforts to deepen diplomatic relations between Accra and London and elevate the partnership to a more strategic level.

During the meeting, Mr Ablakwa raised concerns about the continued requirement for Ghanaian students and professionals to undertake and pay for IELTS examinations before studying or working in the UK. He argued that the policy places an unnecessary financial and administrative burden on applicants from Ghana, given the country’s long-standing use of English as the primary language of instruction from basic education through to tertiary level.

“We called for Ghana to be exempted from the IELTS and the fees payable by Ghanaian students and professionals since English has long been the medium of instruction in Ghana,” the Foreign Affairs Minister stated.

According to him, while Ghana respects the United Kingdom’s immigration and education regulations, there is a strong case for differentiated treatment for applicants from English-speaking countries where academic instruction, assessment, and official communication are conducted in English.

The discussions on IELTS formed part of wider bilateral engagements aimed at strengthening cooperation in key sectors, including education, health, security, trade, job creation, governance, and constitutional development. Officials from both sides also explored ways to enhance mobility frameworks that protect the welfare and professional rights of Ghanaian nationals, particularly health workers seeking employment opportunities in the UK.

Mr Ablakwa emphasised that Ghana’s request was not limited to cost considerations alone but also touched on fairness and policy coherence. He noted that many Ghanaian graduates already meet academic and professional language standards through their training and certification, making additional testing redundant in practical terms.

The meeting further underscored Ghana’s intention to upgrade its relationship with the UK into a Strategic Partnership, a move expected to streamline cooperation across multiple sectors and reduce structural barriers affecting Ghanaian students and professionals abroad.

While no immediate decision was announced, officials described the engagement as constructive, with assurances that the concerns raised would be transmitted to the relevant UK authorities for consideration.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry indicated that discussions on the matter would continue as part of ongoing diplomatic consultations, with the expectation that future engagements could yield policy adjustments that reflect Ghana’s linguistic and educational realities.