Ghana is making giant strides as a destination for special admission programmes for international university students.  According to Lydia Anowa Nyako, Assistant Registrar, International Programmes at the University of Ghana, foreign students are flocking to Ghana because of the political crisis in Kenya which used to be the most popular destination in Africa for such programmes.

Currently, 209 short term visiting students from the US, Germany, Japan, South Africa and other countries and undergoing orientation in culture, security, health and academic issues at the University of Ghana.
Miss Nyako said the programme is gaining more popularity because the University has sold itself well internationally.   She said each visiting student pays US$1,500 as against US$15,000 charged in other countries and this is a source of substantial revenue for the university.

The Dean of International Programmes, Prof. Eric Danquah, said the University of Ghana considers the international student population as a vital facet of its internationalisation drive.  Such students constitute three point three per cent of the total student population and the aim is to increase the figure to 10% in subsequent years.

Prof. Danquah said academic programmes for the foreign students are tailored to meet world class standards with emphasise on training students to acquire valued knowledge in African history and culture. The Special Semester Programme is directed by Dr. Ebenezer Obiri-Addo, Associate Professor of African Studies and Religion at Drew University in the US.