The Accra programme offers a unique opportunity for students to live and study in the heart of West Africa. It is the perfect destination for those who want to learn about the complex issues facing a developing African nation while enjoying a rich cultural, historical and social experience.The Accra programme has a Resident Director who is responsible for the overall operations of the programme abroad: securing appropriate student housing, helping with registration at the host university, organizing exciting field trips and optional tours, and overseeing your general well-being.
Abigail Thompson, a Ghana native, is the Resident Director for the Accra program and is a ten-year veteran of USAC. She earned a Master’s degree from the University of Twente in The Netherlands and is fluent in Twi, Fanti, Ga, and English.
The CIEE Study Center offers international students tremendous opportunities to experience, learn, and immerse themselves in every facet of Ghanaian and West African life and culture. They can also study Twi, Ghana’s most widely spoken language; take courses at the university; and study West African performing arts, such as music and dance. CIEE also offers volunteer and internship opportunities to add value to your learning goals.
Kwasi Gyasi-Gyamerah served as resident coordinator at the CIEE Study Center in Legon, Ghana, before becoming resident director in 2006. Born and raised in Ghana, Kwasi received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology from the University of Ghana. His research interests are adolescent sexuality and mental health issues. He provides pro-bono psychological services to the Juvenile Correctional Center in Accra. He is currently pursuing a PhD in the College of Education in the University of Ghana.
The ISEP Network has operated in the University of Ghana with a Resident Director (Mrs Theresa Kwakye) and a Program Assistant (Mrs Eleanor Kumahia). ISEP has over the years that it has been in partnership with UG, awarded scholarships to several Graduate Students and Phd. candidates to do a year’s study abroad in various schools in the United States of America. During the 2011/2012 Academic year however, it introduced the Self sponsored study abroad to the United States for Undergraduate students who are eligible. UG in one of its steps to improve on international standards, entered into another agreement with ISEP: the International – to – International (I-I) program, where students can now apply to other universities in the world that are in the ISEP network. This means that UG students can now apply through ISEP to do a semester/year exchange in any university of their choice* in the ISEP network other than the US.
A native of Washington DC, Theresa Kwakye moved to Ghana in December 1985 with her husband Mr Richard Kwakye and their 5 month old baby where she has remained for the last 32 years. Shortly after obtaining her Master’s, a position became available for the Resident Director of the International Students Exchange Programme (ISEP) at the University of Ghana. After a successful bid for the position, she has worked as Resident Director with ISEP since 2005.
The University of California (UC) is a collaboration of ten universities which are all ranked in the top 50 public Universities in the USA.
The University of California Education Abroad Program (UC-EAP) operates study abroad programs for the entire system, and is often dubbed the 11th campus. UC-EAP has brought student participants to Ghana since 1968. Students can choose to study during the Fall, Spring or Summer semesters.
California State University Office of International Programs (CSU-OIP) has 23 campuses and is the largest university system in the state of California. Their program has been sending students to Ghana since 2007. All students complete one full academic year in Ghana.
Dr. Rose Walls serves as the Resident Director of the University of California Education Abroad Program (UC-EAP) and California State University (CSU) programs. She was born and raised in the USA and maintains residency in St. Louis, Missouri and Accra, Ghana. She holds graduate degrees in Jurisprudence (Focus: Human Rights and International Law) and Social Work (Focus: Community Development and Clinical Social Work). She teaches part time at the Department of Social Work Department, University of Ghana, Legon. She is a published poet and author and has over 20 years of experience in higher education, community development, social policy, social welfare, HIV/AIDS, and special issues with gender and children.