Ghana has asked the United Kingdom to exempt Ghanaian students and professionals from the International English Language Testing System, known as IELTS, as the two countries begin talks to elevate their bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership.
The request was made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, during a meeting with the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Christian Rogg, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Mr Ablakwa said the meeting reviewed the state of Ghana-UK relations and agreed on priority areas for engagement in line with the policy direction of President John Dramani Mahama.
He said both sides had initiated processes aimed at raising bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership. According to him, the discussions identified security, trade, job creation, health, education, governance and constitutional review as key areas for cooperation.
On labour mobility and welfare, Mr Ablakwa called for a government-to-government arrangement to protect and improve the working conditions of Ghanaian health professionals working in the UK, as well as those seeking employment there.
“I called for a government-to-government arrangement for the protection and improved conditions of particularly Ghanaian health practitioners who work and aspire to work in the UK,” he said.
The Foreign Affairs Minister also appealed for Ghanaian students and professionals to be exempted from the IELTS requirement and the associated fees when applying to study or work in the UK, arguing that English has long been the medium of instruction in Ghana.
IELTS is an internationally recognised English language proficiency test jointly managed by the British Council, IDP Education and Cambridge Assessment English. It is required for study, work and migration to several English-speaking countries, including the UK.
For many Ghanaian applicants, the test and its fees add to the cost of an already expensive visa and relocation process, despite English being the language of instruction from basic to tertiary education in Ghana.
Mr Ablakwa described the meeting as productive and said it reaffirmed a shared commitment to strengthening Ghana-UK relations in ways that deliver clear benefits to citizens of both countries.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh