Formal education in Ghana has a checkered history, having, for many years, been the preserve of the wealthy classes and administrative classes who were able or required to access education provided through colonialist institutions (including the so-called Castle schools which were often associated with forced separation of pupils or the acquiescing of the slave trade). With the increasing presence of religious missionaries, access to education was greatly opened to a far wider pool of pupils, provided that those same pupils would adhere and subscribe to the religious ethos of the school’s founders. Since 1961, primary education has been compulsory in Ghana with the state attempting to ensure provision for all pupils. However, a large minority of the population still do not or have not availed of formal education even at compulsory ages. Successive Ghanaian governments have sought to expand and develop access to education and to begin to increase the compulsory element from basic and primary to junior secondary schooling (with senior secondary schooling being an option only available to those who have successfully completed requisite exams). Government efforts to increase the State’s role in the provision of education and the development of a universal education system has had a big impact on the private school sector to date – the increasing number of non-fee-paying school places meaning that many of private schools (typically offering low-fee education) are struggling to compete and facing significant challenges.

Nonetheless, with an economy that is largely agrarian outside of the biggest cities, the provision of socialised education, free-to-all and available within each community has proven to be a great expense and a burdensome undertaking. Consequently, the private sector accounts for a significant portion of Ghanaian schools (some 75% of primary and secondary schools are outside of the control of the state). As such, Ghana has a thriving and expansive private education sector with a wide array of school options. Many of the private and independent schools in Ghana have reduced or subsidised fee schemes in order to meet the financial constraints of lower middle class parents (particularly faith schools and rural schools). Many schools offer boarding at junior and senior levels. Whilst private schools are located across Ghana, the vast majority of private and independent schools are located in and around Accra, Ghana’s capital city with Kumasi having the second biggest selection.

A number of Ghana’s private and independent schools stand out as amongst the best in the country and are known across Africa. Typically, these schools tend to offer an international education (i.e. based on an international curriculum) to an international student body. These schools tend to offer the best facilities and charge the highest fees.

Private and independent schools in Ghana are not necessarily accredited by any one primary body but are mostly authorised by the state. However, many have chosen to organise within various schools associations, such as the Association for International Certification Schools (ASICS) (boasting some 42 members); the Association of Private School Owners Ghana (APSOG); the Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS); or the Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) amongst others. The best known schools have sought to gain accreditation and association with internationally regarded awarding bodies including the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA); the Council of International Schools (CIS); or various British, American or Australian bodies (inc. British Council and NEASC). Many of these schools are also licensed by Cambridge International. In addition to government efforts to increase the state provision of school places, the government has also made overtures towards bringing private and independent schools under the accreditation and supervision of state agencies (namely the National Schools Inspectorate Authority, NaSIA). This agenda has, consequently, brought the larger associations of private, independent and international schools together as a united voice under the Private Education Coalition (which includes ASICS; the Foundation for Education Research and Development (FERD); GNACOPS; National Council for Private Early Childhood Growth and Development (NCPECGD); National Council of Parent Teacher Associations (NCPTA); and the Montessori Alliance of Ghana (MONTAG)).

Due to the vast number of private schools in Ghana, many of which have limited public information available, it is not possible for us to detail all schools. This is especially so for schools that are not members of an independent schools association. You can find a directory list of private and independent schools in Ghana below, including the most well-known and highest-rated schools.