12,800 Ghanaians now studying in US -US Embassy

The number of Ghanaians pursuing higher education in the United States has surged significantly in recent years, soaring from approximately 4,000 in the 2019/20 academic year to 12,800 in the 2024/25 academic year, according to the Ag Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy in Ghana, Rolf Olson. This development was highlighted at the 2026 EducationUSA College Fair in Accra, where prospective students and their families had the chance to engage with representatives from US universities.

Olson noted that Ghana has emerged as the second-highest source of students from sub-Saharan Africa to the United States, trailing only Nigeria, and currently ranks 14th globally in this regard. He emphasized that the substantial increase in Ghanaian students studying in the US underlines their strong interest in US higher education and their capability to gain admission and excel in American institutions.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Ghanaian students studying in the US has risen by between 2,500 and 3,000 annually. Olson recalled a time when no Ghanaian students were present at a college in Minnesota during his graduate studies in the 1990s. However, during a recent visit to the same institution, he found that Ghanaians had become the largest international student group, leading to the inclusion of "Akwaaba," a welcoming phrase in Ghanaian culture, among the college's welcome messages.

The embassy sponsored the EducationUSA College Fair to facilitate direct interactions between prospective students and universities, enabling them to gain clarity on program offerings, admission prerequisites, scholarships, and the visa application process. Marilyn Owusu, the Executive Director of ACE Consult and a Senior EducationUSA Adviser, explained that this direct access empowers students with accurate and comprehensive information necessary for making informed decisions about their education.

The fair also offered sessions on the application procedure, financial aid options, and the visa process. Owusu stated that EducationUSA plays a crucial role in helping students understand the operational dynamics of US institutions and guiding them through the application process. She urged those unable to attend the fair to reach out to EducationUSA for assistance.

EducationUSA operates two centers in Ghana—the Accra center catering to southern Ghana and the Kumasi center supporting students in Kumasi and the northern regions. As a US Government-sponsored network, EducationUSA provides impartial information to students across 170 countries through its 450 centers worldwide.

Nana Baffour, the Director for Pre-Tertiary Education at the Ministry of Education, highlighted the fair as an opportunity for Ghanaian students to pursue programs aligned with their educational and career goals. He advised prospective applicants to carefully consider the available programs, scholarships, and the relevance of their chosen fields to their long-term aspirations.

Baffour noted that the educational relationship between Ghana and the United States has a long-standing history and expressed hope for continued collaboration. He also acknowledged that studying abroad could alleviate pressure on Ghana's local tertiary education system, particularly in light of the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).