Ghana Makes Progress in Talks for IELTS Exemption for Students, Professionals
Ghana has made progress in negotiations with the United Kingdom to secure an exemption for Ghanaian students and professionals from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examinations.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said Ghana had demonstrated that it met the minimum statistical threshold for English language proficiency required for favourable consideration by the UK.
He expressed optimism about the negotiations following a meeting with the UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Edward Miliband, on Wednesday.
According to him, negotiations on the proposed IELTS exemption, which he initiated, have recorded encouraging progress, with both countries remaining optimistic about the outcome.
An exemption could ease the process for eligible Ghanaian students and professionals seeking educational and professional opportunities in the United Kingdom by removing the requirement to take the IELTS examination where applicable.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the two ministers to review bilateral relations and explore areas for deeper cooperation, including trade, investment, education and multilateral engagement.
They further discussed reparatory justice, including prospects for broader dialogue on restitution, education and cultural remembrance following the Ghana-led United Nations resolution declaring the transatlantic enslavement of Africans the gravest crime against humanity.
The two ministers also explored areas of shared interest ahead of 2027, when Ghana is expected to chair the African Union while the United Kingdom assumes the G20 Presidency.
Preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, scheduled to take place in Antigua and Barbuda in November 2026, also featured in the discussions.
Mr Ablakwa expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended by his UK counterpart and reiterated Ghana’s commitment to strengthening the longstanding partnership.
Margaret Adjeley Sowah, ISD
