The UCEAP has partnered with the University of Ghana for over 50 years, bringing students from its entire nine campuses to live, learn and experience Ghana in its uniqueness by way of immersion and interacting with the locals. The Ghana study center and the staff function as the official voice and service point for the California Students and again help to facilitate students’ academic and personal needs here in Ghana. In addition to enrolling in the main UG classes, the center organizes a special Asante Twi Language Class and practicum, a monthly Wellness Program and field trips to some historic sites to add a special kind of excitement to your experiences. Special study options for Research, Internship and Volunteer opportunities also exist for those who want to do independent study.
The Center’s Program Manager is Sharon Okantey-Kordie, a Ghanaian who has been with the program since 2004 when she joined the team as a Program Assistant. She received her bachelors’ and masters’ degrees from University of Ghana. She loves to explore and learn from her students as well. One of her famous advice to new students is “if you arrive with a spirit of adventure, patience and a desire to learn, you will go through a transformation or an experience of a lifetime”.
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.
Amma H. K. Appiah is the Center Director for CIEE Legon. Born and raised in Ghana, she received her bachelors’ and masters' from the University of Ghana. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate with the Regional Institute of Population Studies (RIPS) also at the University of Ghana. Amma is also a blogger, poet, storyteller, and has co-authored multiple publications. She also devotes a lot of her free time helping with invisible illness advocacy and creative writing.
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.
California State University (CSU) has 23 campuses and is the largest university system in the state of California. California State University International Programs (CSU-IP) has been sending students to Ghana since 2007. From 2007 to 2020, students completed one full academic year. During the 2021-2022 academic year, students were given the option to choose to study either one full academic year or a semester.
Apart from having the opportunity to choose from various classes offered at the University of Ghana, the CSU-IP study center in Ghana offers educational travel for students to experience, learn, and fully immerse themselves in the Ghanaian culture. It also introduces students to African dance and drumming, as well as practical skills training and student assistant mentorship. Introduction to Asante Twi and Service Learning are mandatory for all their students.
Elsie Gaisie-Ahiabu was born and raised in Ghana. She is a professional social worker, a teacher, a researcher, and has over 11 years of experience as a program administrator in higher international education. She has strong skills in research that employs qualitative methods of analysis in women, children and sexuality. She has also acquired skills in managing civil society organizations as the founder of DeSMAS (a local women's and children's civil society organization). She holds BA and MPhil degrees in Social Work and a PhD in Population Studies. Over the years, she has developed the tact of being a good team player in managing various people of diverse social and cultural backgrounds to achieve value-for-money outcomes.