Speech Therapy in Ghana

What does speech-language therapy look like in Ghana? How are clinicians trained, and what challenges do families face when accessing services?

In March 2023, I had the pleasure of interviewing Josephine Ohenewa Bampoe, a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT), educator, and researcher at the University of Ghana.

We discussed professional training, access to services, cultural considerations, and opportunities for international collaboration. Josephine also shared her work toward developing culturally appropriate assessment tools for Ghanaian children—something that has progressed considerably since our interview!

Watch my full interview with Josephine on YouTube.

Interview conducted March 7, 2023. Professional resources updated October 2026.

Becoming a Speech and Language Therapist in Ghana

In Ghana, professionals are commonly called Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs). Josephine explained that students can pursue undergraduate or graduate training in speech-language therapy.

The University of Health and Allied Sciences offers an undergraduate pathway in speech, language, and hearing sciences, while the University of Ghana offers a two-year MSc in Speech and Language Therapy.

The University of Ghana established its master’s program in 2016, with Josephine among its founding faculty members! Unlike some countries where a master’s degree is required for professional entry, Josephine explained that appropriately qualified bachelor’s graduates can also become SLTs in Ghana.

Following graduation, new SLTs complete a one-year supervised internship or professional practice period and must pass a licensure examination through the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC).

SLTs also participate in continuing professional development (CPD) to maintain their registration. The Speech Therapists and Audiologists Association of Ghana (STAAG) supports professional development through workshops, conferences, and other learning opportunities.

Access to Speech-Language Therapy Services

One of the biggest challenges Josephine discussed was access to services. During our 2023 interview, she explained that Ghana had a relatively small SLT workforce, with many professionals concentrated in Accra, the capital city.

SLTs worked in hospitals, private clinics, schools, and universities, although Josephine noted that school-based positions were particularly limited. Families faced several barriers to receiving services, including:

• Limited availability of SLTs, especially outside major cities
• Out-of-pocket costs for assessments and therapy
• Transportation expenses and long travel distances
• Difficulty taking time off work for appointments
• Limited public awareness of speech-language therapy

Josephine explained that many referrals came from healthcare professionals, including pediatricians, physicians, ENT specialists, and audiologists. However, even some healthcare professionals were unfamiliar with the services SLTs provide.

Another challenge was affordability. At the time of our interview, many families paid for services themselves, although some had private insurance coverage.

These observations reflect Josephine’s experiences in 2023 rather than current nationwide workforce or insurance statistics.

Cultural and Linguistic Considerations

Ghana is a multilingual country, with English serving as the official language alongside many Ghanaian languages, including Akan, Ewe, Ga, and Dagbani.

For SLPs, this creates important considerations when evaluating and treating communication disorders. A child may speak one or more Ghanaian languages at home while using Ghanaian English at school. Understanding that linguistic background is essential when distinguishing language differences from communication disorders.

During our interview, Josephine also discussed how cultural and religious beliefs can influence families’ understanding of disability and decisions about seeking services.

Some families may incorporate prayer or spiritual practices into their approach to disability. Others may face stigma, uncertainty, or unrealistic expectations about how quickly therapy will help.

Josephine emphasized the importance of understanding these perspectives rather than making assumptions about families. As clinicians, we need to consider not only a client’s communication skills but also their cultural background, family experiences, and beliefs.

Developing Culturally Appropriate Assessment Tools

One of the most interesting parts of my conversation with Josephine was her research on developing culturally and linguistically appropriate assessment tools for Ghanaian children.

She explained that many commonly used assessments were developed for children in other countries, making it difficult to accurately evaluate children who speak Ghanaian English and other local languages.

At the time of our interview, Josephine was working toward developing an assessment tool that better reflected Ghanaian children’s language development and communication experiences.

It’s exciting to see how much this work has progressed since 2023! Josephine and her colleagues have since published research on the development and piloting of the Bampoe Ghanaian English Speech and Language Assessment (B-GESLA).

Their work examines how Ghanaian English-speaking children’s language exposure influences assessment performance and emphasizes using multiple sources of evidence when identifying communication disorders.

This research represents an important step toward providing Ghanaian SLTs with assessment tools that reflect the linguistic and cultural experiences of the children they serve.

You can read more about their work through the University of Ghana:

• Piloting a Speech and Language Assessment Tool for Ghanaian English-Speaking Children (2026)
• Development of the First Formal Ghanaian English Speech and Language Assessment Tool for Multilingual Children (2026)

Opportunities for International Collaboration

Josephine also shared opportunities for international SLPs interested in supporting the development of speech-language therapy in Ghana. She emphasized the value of collaborating with local professionals through clinical education, professional training, research, and mentorship.

Importantly, she explained that international volunteers should work alongside local SLTs who understand the country’s languages, cultures, and healthcare systems.

International collaboration doesn’t necessarily require traveling overseas, either! SLPs with specialized knowledge may be able to contribute through remote presentations, educational opportunities, or research partnerships.

If you’re interested in collaborating, I encourage you to connect with local professionals and learn about their current priorities and needs.

Interested in getting involved? Josephine welcomed professional inquiries during our interview. You can contact her at jobamp@hotmail.com or connect with the Speech Therapists and Audiologists Association of Ghana.

For more information about responsible international experiences, read my article on Ethical SLP Study Abroad or explore my Travel Tips for SLPs Working Abroad.

Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed speaking with Josephine and learning more about speech-language therapy in Ghana. Our conversation highlighted the challenges of expanding services, but also the important work being done by local clinicians, educators, and researchers.

It’s especially encouraging to see the progress Josephine has made in developing culturally appropriate assessment tools.

Her work reminds us that speech-language assessment and intervention must reflect the languages, cultures, and experiences of the people we serve.

If you’re interested in learning more about international speech-language pathology, you may also enjoy my interview about speech therapy in Senegal or explore my other articles in Global SLP Perspectives.

Are you an SLP practicing outside the United States? I’d love to learn about your experiences! Share a comment below or connect with me on Instagram @GlobalSpeechie.