How to write a CV in Ghana: format, National Service and a sample

CV format for Ghanaian employers

Use a reverse-chronological layout with standard headings. Graduates should keep their CV to one page; experienced professionals can use two. A clean single-column design is safest for online portals and is easy to print, since some employers still shortlist from printed CVs.

Contact and personal details

• Name, phone (+233…), professional email, city and LinkedIn.
• Optional: Ghana Card number only if an application form requests it.
• Leave out age, marital status, religion, hometown and photo unless requested.

Presenting National Service

National Service is a key part of most Ghanaian graduates' early careers. Treat it as a real job on your CV: give your post, the organisation, location and dates, then two or three achievements. For example: “Teacher (National Service), Bantama M/A JHS, Kumasi, Sep 2019 – Aug 2020: taught mathematics and ICT to JHS 2 and 3; ran after-school BECE revision sessions.”

Education: degrees, WASSCE and professional licences

List your degree with class (First Class, Second Class Upper/Lower), institution and years. Recent graduates should include WASSCE (or SSSCE) details. Professional licences matter in many fields; include them with the issuing body and year, such as NTC teacher's licence, ICAG chartered accountant, Ghana Medical and Dental Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana, Allied Health Professions Council or Ghana Institution of Engineering.

Strong CV bullet points for Ghanaian jobs

• “Raised the WASSCE core maths pass rate from 61% to 84% in three years.”
• “Opened 40+ accounts a month, beating the branch target by 20%.”
• “Processed 300+ laboratory samples daily and cut urgent turnaround by 25%.”
• “Led rebrands for 12 clients, including packaging that entered three supermarket chains.”

Referees

Ghanaian employers commonly ask for referees. Include two or three, such as your headteacher, supervisor or lecturer, with their position, organisation and phone number. Always ask permission first.

Applying for jobs in Ghana

• Follow application instructions exactly; some public institutions require specific forms.
• Send a tailored cover or application letter with your CV.
• Use PDF unless a Word file is requested.
• Be cautious of “employment agents” who ask for money to secure jobs.

Ghanaian CV checklist

• Phone with +233 and a professional email.
• National Service listed with achievements.
• Degree class and WASSCE (for recent graduates).
• Professional licence and number where relevant.
• Achievements with numbers.
• Two or three referees.

Ghanaian CV examples by career

• Teachers: NTC licence, subjects and levels (KG, Primary, JHS, SHS), BECE/WASSCE results of students, clubs led.
• Bankers: teller and customer service volumes, cash accuracy, account-opening targets, KYC and AML training.
• Health workers: licence (MDC, N&MC, AHPC) with number and year, departments and patient volumes.
• Accountants: ICAG or ACCA progress, GRA tax filing, audit experience.
• Creative roles: portfolio link, brands and campaigns, measurable results.
• Mining and engineering: GhIE membership, safety certifications, equipment and project values.

Walkthrough: the Ghanaian sample CV

The teacher's CV above shows the conventions Ghanaian schools expect. The title combines the subject and the NTC licence. The summary leads with a measurable improvement in WASSCE results, the outcome headteachers care about most. National Service at a public JHS appears as a proper job with responsibilities. Education lists the B.Ed. with class and the WASSCE school, and two referees (the headmistress and a university lecturer) cover both professional and academic references.

The layout is minimal and prints cleanly in black and white, which is useful because many schools still shortlist from printed applications.

Common mistakes on Ghanaian CVs

• Listing every short course and workshop. Keep the relevant ones.
• Writing a generic objective instead of a targeted summary.
• Leaving out National Service or treating it as unimportant.
• Including personal details such as hometown, religion or marital status.
• Forgetting phone codes (+233) or using an old email address.

Where to find jobs in Ghana and how to send your CV

Ghanaian job seekers find vacancies on company websites, online job boards, LinkedIn, newspaper adverts and through professional networks and alumni groups. Apply exactly as instructed: through the portal, by email with your CV and letter as PDFs, or by hand with copies of your certificates. Use a clear email subject line with the job title and your name, and keep a list of where you applied and when so you can follow up after about two weeks.

Length and layout tips for Ghanaian CVs

Keep graduate CVs to one page and experienced CVs to two. Use a clean font, consistent dates and the same heading style throughout. Put your most impressive results near the top: if you are a teacher, your students' results; if you are in banking, your accuracy and targets; if you work in health, your licence and patient care outcomes. Remove outdated or irrelevant workshops to make space for evidence that you can do the job.

Make your Ghana CV today

Design your CV for free, start from a career sample (teacher, bank officer, lab scientist, graphic designer and more), and check your live ATS score. Download a clean PDF for GH₵2, paid with MTN MoMo, Telecel Cash, AirtelTigo Money or card.

Frequently asked questions