How to Begin Teaching in Ghana

Hailed as West Africa's golden child, Ghana deserves its place in the sun

Travel north and you'll feel like you've arrived in a different country, with a different religion

Ghana is a warm, friendly country in West Africa, neighbouring Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Togo. It is not the most popular area with tourists but as its reputation is growing, so too is the tourism industry. Known as the land of gold due to it having large gold deposits, Ghana has a turbulent history. The slave trade was especially harsh to the people of Ghana and at different times in its history it was colonised by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British. It gained independence in 1957.
The remnants of its history can be seen by visitors to the numerous old forts and slave buildings. While it may not be an easy aspect of the country to experience, the beauty of the monuments shines through and it is an interesting look into the past.
Ghana is an unconventionally beautiful country with an abundance of natural beauty. You can sip cocktails on the beach, watching the local fishermen as they work, or you can visit the Kakum National Park – a rainforest with a long canopy walk. You can visit Nzulezo, a village on stilts, or you can go on a walking or driving safari in Mole National Park; no trip to Ghana would be complete without an encounter with elephants, baboons, warthog or antelope.

Teaching Opportunities

Ghana is a linguistically diverse area where more than 40 distinct languages are spoken. English is the official language and though it is not spoken fluently by everyone, it is used as a lingua franca to communicate between the different communities.
As is the case with many African countries, there are numerous volunteer positions and organisations that bring in volunteers to teach English, among other things. In terms of paid positions, it’s possible to find positions at international schools, most of which are in the nation’s capital, Accra. Employers usually provide accommodation, though this may be in a shared house or with a host family. There are also a few language schools providing English lessons for adult learners. The salaries for teachers are not very high so you won’t be able to save very much, but you will be able to live comfortably and enjoy what Ghana has to offer.

Teaching Requirements

Degree Requirement	Typical Contract Length	Peak Hiring Seasons	Visa Info	Typical Students	Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency	Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency

BA/BS required

9– 12 months

January, May

Work visa

Students, adults

GHS 950 – GHS 1 675 (£170 – £300)

GHS 1 800 – GHS 2 000 (£260 – £289)

Degree Requirement

BA/BS required

Typical Contract Length

9– 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons

January, May

Visa Info

Work visa

Typical Students

Students, adults

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency

GHS 950 – GHS 1 675 (£170 – £300)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency

GHS 1 800 – GHS 2 000 (£260 – £289)

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