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Working as an expat in Ghana

Ghana is located on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa and includes about ten islands of significant size. It also shares borders with Burkina Faso, Togo and Ivory Coast. Ghana's economy benefits from trade agreements in the region, including the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (COMESSA) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

This guide will provide an introduction to working as an expat in Ghana, answering some of the frequently asked questions by those moving to Ghana for work either temporarily or permanently.

At a glance

Ghana is about half the size of California and its population is concentrated in the cities. The largest of these is Kumasi, where around one tenth of the population (3.35 million people) live, followed by a further 2.5 million in the capital Accra.

Here are some quick facts:

Main languages: English, Asante, Ewe, Fante
Religions: Pentecostals (28.3%), Protestant (18.4%), Muslim (17.6%), Catholic (13.1%), Other Christian (11.4%)
Driving: Cars drive on the right
Currency: Ghana cedi (GHS). 1 Cedi = 100 Pesewas
Local time: UTC/GMT (No time difference from London)
Public Holidays: 13

Ghana celebrates international celebrations including New Year, Eid, Easter, May Day and Christmas, as well as others including Constitution Day (January 7th), Independence Day (March 6th), Founders' Day (August 4th), Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day (September 21st) and Farmer's Day (December 2nd).

There are also two Commemorative Days: African Union Day on May 25th and Republic Day on July 1st. However, these are not statutory public holidays.

Right to work in Ghana

A work permit is a requirement to work as an expat in Ghana. The Ministry of the Interior advises that applications are normally processed in two weeks; however, if your application is referred for investigation by the Ghana Immigration Service, this may take three months.

To apply for a work visa, you should provide some or all of the following:

Letter from you or the organisation planning to employ you
CV and education certificates
Company registration of intended employer
Certificate of commencement of business
Audited accounts of employer
Tax clearance certificate
Letter of appointment

For Ghana government jobs, you should also present a letter of support from the relevant government office. Finally if you are married to a Ghanaian resident, you should also provide your marriage certificate and a letter of support from your spouse.

Salaries and Taxes

Ghana's tax structure for residents is quite complex, with six bands of tax to pay based on salary. However, Ghana income tax for expats is set at a flat rate of 25% of chargeable income.

This rate is subject to change: the latest updates are available from the Ghana Revenue Authority.

Driving in Ghana

Vehicles drive on the right in Ghana. Speed limits are in kph which may take some adjusting for British drivers.

Typical speed limits include:

30-50 kph in urban areas
80 kph on rural roads
100 kph on highways

The legal minimum age to hire a car in Ghana is 18. However, expats must have a valid driver's licence that is at least two years old, a valid passport and may require an International Driving Permit.

If you have all of the above and are over 21, you should be able to hire a car in Ghana as an expat, but some rental companies may require drivers to be over the age of 25.

Find Work in Ghana

Find work in Ghana as an expat by taking a look at our continually updated stream of job opportunities, in industries including engineering and oil & gas exploration.

You can search our current expat jobs in Ghana here.

Or register your CV with us and sign up to receive Job Alerts from Ghana.

Testimonials

"Their knowledge of the industry, our organisation and candidates is one of the leaders in the market. They have always been able to supply us with the right calibre of engineering candidate no matter what the discipline or regional location is.

"First Recruitment Group’s service delivery has always been to a high standard and the customer service provided by the team has ensured that First Recruitment Group will remain a preferred supplier of engineering personnel to WorleyParsons on our future engineering projects."

WorleyParsons

"In my dealings with First I have found them to be responsive, knowledgeable, quality-focused and engaging in their approach. I would have no hesitation in recommending the services of First Recruitment Group to any prospective customers."

Global Engineering Consultancy

"We have a good working relationship with First Recruitment and they always put every effort in to filling our positions whether it's on a permanent or contract basis. First have an honest and open approach to recruitment and their clients which is refreshing. First offer an excellent payroll service which compliments their overall delivery service to MWH Treatment."

MWH Treatment

“As the biggest services supplier to the nuclear industry our demand for personnel is significant, when I have an urgent requirement I know I can rely on First Recruitment to rise to the challenge.

“As a preferred supplier for temporary labour and a fundamental part of our permanent recruitment process we get the right people at the right time. Whether its highly technical/specialist resources or back office support personnel the approach is to the same high standard.”

Veolia Nuclear Solutions

"It’s great to work with a recruitment agency we trust. The team at First Recruitment Group are friendly and straight talking and they continue to provide an excellent service. We’re proud to still be working with them after 20 years."

Simon Carves Engineering Ltd

"First Recruitment are on the 1st Tier of Sweett Europe’s preferred supplier list. We have found First recruitment to be hugely supportive and value adding partners to Sweett, helping us source a wide range of roles. The consultants at First are hugely knowledgeable and have a real desire to listen to, and understand, our needs. They have shown an unrivalled desire to work on hard to fill roles using innovative methods to ensure they always supply us with CVs.

"I have been hugely impressed by their willingness to support us, even when we have simply been after guidance which would not attract them a fee. I would be more than happy to recommend First Recruitment Group to any prospective organisation, and to discuss in more detail their capabilities."

Sweett Group

“We’ve worked with First Recruitment for over 12 years and have built up a great relationship with their team. They’ve helped us in sourcing contractors for our chemical division, maintaining consistently high standards in delivery, and we hope to continue building on this relationship in the future. I have no hesitation in recommending First to others.”

Haden Freeman Limited

"We have used First Recruitment to support the recruitment of several key roles within our business. The quality of the candidates put forward were extremely high which helped enormously in our ability to fill all roles, also the candidates have all been a success since joining our business. They were prompt, knowledgeable and very professional and made the recruitment process for us extremely simple. The service we have received has been first class and I would highly recommend the services of First Recruitment to any Company looking to fill a vacancy."

Meadow Vale Food Group

“I have worked with First Recruitment frequently over the last couple of years. Their ability to understand our business and support me in terms of recruitment has been excellent. Candidates are screened initially to meet our requirements and taken through the process in a professional way. I would have no hesitation in recommending First Recruitment to any employer who needs that little extra support in their recruitment process."

Bokomo Foods (UK) Limited

“I have found First Recruitment to be very efficient and professional in their approach to recruitment. They were able to gain an in depth understanding of the needs of our business and source high quality candidates. I would highly recommend their services to anyone with a recruitment need.”

AAK

"First Group are one of the key suppliers to Cobham. The team are quick to respond, friendly and professional, and as such have made a massive difference to the account. The team have supported and filled a variety of roles. Without hestitation I would recommend First."

Cobham

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