Minister Ablakwa Appeals to UK to Scrap IELTS Requirement for Ghanaian Students and Professionals
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has formally appealed to the United Kingdom to exempt Ghanaian students and professionals from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) requirement and its associated fees.
Damian Owusu 
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has formally appealed to the United Kingdom to exempt Ghanaian students and professionals from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) requirement and its associated fees.
Ablakwa made the request during a meeting with the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Christian Rogg, on January 6, 2026. He argued that the IELTS requirement places an unnecessary burden on Ghanaians, since English has long been Ghana’s official language and the medium of instruction at all levels of education. The appeal also sought to remove the financial costs tied to the test, which many students and professionals consider prohibitive.
The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations between Ghana and the UK, with discussions spanning security, trade, job creation, health, education, and governance reforms. Both countries also explored frameworks to protect the welfare of Ghanaian health practitioners seeking employment abroad. The appeal forms part of ongoing engagements aimed at deepening cooperation in key sectors.
If successful, the exemption could make it easier for Ghanaian students to pursue higher education in the UK. Professionals, especially in health and finance, would benefit from reduced barriers to employment opportunities abroad. The move highlights Ghana’s push for fairer treatment in international mobility policies.
As talks continue, the outcome could reshape the educational and professional pathways of thousands of Ghanaians seeking opportunities in the UK.
