The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has formally requested that Ghanaian students and professionals be exempted from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and associated fees when seeking to study or work in the United Kingdom.

The appeal was made during a meeting with the British High Commissioner to Ghana, His Excellency Christian Rogg, held at the Ministry on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

The discussions, which focused on strengthening Ghana-UK relations, also highlighted areas for deeper cooperation in security, trade, job creation, health, education, governance, and constitutional review.

Mr Ablakwa, during the engagement, explained that English has long been the medium of instruction in Ghanaian schools, making the IELTS requirement redundant for students and professionals from the country.

“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,” he said.

The meeting also forms part of Ghana’s ongoing efforts to elevate bilateral relations with the UK to a Strategic Partnership, with special attention on frameworks to protect and improve conditions for Ghanaian health practitioners seeking to work abroad.