The Complete Guide to Project Management in Ghana 2024

• David Njoroge
• 03 Aug, 2023
• 0 Comments
• 5 Mins Read

Globally, businesses are changing their strategy. More of them are relying on projects in order to meet their needs and objectives. This is why project management is turning out to be an important profession in today’s project-based business world.

Certainly, enterprises and not-for-profit organizations in Ghana are in the quest of project managers. Different types of projects in the country are in need of individuals who can run them efficiently from start to finish. Currently, some of the products and services in Ghana are the work of people with project management know-how.

Project Management Course in Ghana

The route you can take to become a project manager in Ghana starts with enrolling in a course and earning a certification in project management. Such a course is taught at several institutions of higher learning that are accredited by the government of Ghana. An alternative way is earning a Project Management Institute (PMI) certification which can open the way to a job in that field.

How to Earn a Project Management Degree in Ghana?

Getting a degree in project management in Ghana is attainable. The undergraduate programme is taught at only one university. The Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) offers the Bachelor of Science with Honors degree in Project Management. Their aim is to produce graduates with knowledge and skills in project planning, design and implementation.

Admission Requirements

Here is what is needed during application for a bachelor’s in project management in Ghana:

• Pass the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or a General Business Certificate Examination (GBCE) in three core subjects including Mathematics and English and three relevant elective subjects. The aggregate score for all six subjects should be between A1 and C6.
• OR pass the General Certificate Examination (GCE) at both O level and A level in five subjects. Two of the passes have to be at A level with a minimum grade C.
• OR a Higher National Diploma in a relevant field from a recognized institution.
• OR pass the Advanced Business Certificate Examination (ABCE) in three compulsory subjects and two optional subjects.

Course Duration and Structure

The Bachelor of Project Management programme in Ghana takes four years for full time students. But it can take longer for part-time students. With a view to cater to needs of different students, GIMPA has a flexible schedule.

Here are the common courses in a project management degree in Ghana:

1. Introduction to Project Management
2. Quality Management
3. Risk Management
4. Cost Management
5. Human Resource Management
6. Scope Management
7. Schedule Management
8. Resource Management
9. Procurement Management
10. Strategic Issues in Project Management

Course Fees in Ghana

Tuition fees for a bachelor of project management in Ghana per academic year is close to 5,000 Ghanaian Cedi. This fee covers the cost of registration, tuition and examinations. Additional costs are meant for students to access university resources like library and internet.

Project Management Short Course in Ghana

There are universities and colleges in Ghana which give lectures in project management in form of a short course. The course takes either a few weeks or a few months. Students gain practical skills in class that they can use in the real world.

 

Which is the Highest Level of Education in Project Management in Ghana?

A master’s degree in project management is generally available in Ghana. This type of degree helps students gain research experience and more specialized knowledge beyond what an undergraduate degree offers. However, a doctor of philosophy (PhD) in project management is the highest academic degree that can be awarded. There are a few universities in the country that offer this kind of graduate degree.

Which Certification is Best for Project Management in Ghana?

Typically, there are some employers who prefer to hire project managers who hold PMI certifications. This is because PMI is the primary organization offering professional certificates in project management. Many project managers pursue either a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification or a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or even both.

How to Become a Certified Project Manager in Ghana

PMI has a branch in Ghana called PMI Ghana chapter. Therefore, an aspiring project manager in Ghana is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) by PMI Ghana. It’s the most widely recognized certification in the world.

Here is what it takes to qualify for a PMP certification in Ghana:

• For those who have completed secondary school (high school) education, need to put in 60 months of experience leading projects and 35 hours of project management training or have CAPM certification
• For those who have completed a four-year degree, need to put in 36 months of experience leading projects and 35 hours of project management training or have CAPM certification
• Prepare for the PMP exam by studying. The cost of the classes depends on the institution and the format. A student can be trained either in person or online. There are several authorized training centers alongside accredited institutions in Ghana that offer PMP certification classes.
• Clearly, with a CAPM certification, a student does not need to fulfil the 35-hour education requirement.
• The next step is paying the PMP exam fee. For a PMI member, it costs US405 Dollars (about 4,500 Ghanaian Cedi) while for a non-PMI member it costs US555 Dollars (about 6,200 Ghanaian Cedi).
• After paying, a student can schedule their exam. The exam can be taken online or at a testing center in Ghana accredited by Pearson Vue. In case a student fails, they can retake the exam up to three times in one year.
• A student who passes the exam becomes PMP certified. A certified project manager in Ghana must keep their certification active by completing certain stages of continuing education.

Project Management Careers in Ghana

Project manager is among the jobs resulting from studying project management in Ghana. Since their work is to oversee specific projects, they can be found in every type of organization. They use their skills to create products and services for a variety of industries. The sectors where project managers work include:

• Construction and real estate
• Engineering
• Information Technology (IT)
• Manufacturing
• Hospitality
• Transportation and logistics
• Financial services
• Advertising and marketing
• Retail
• Non-profit

Project Manager Salary in Ghana

Project managers in Ghana earn an estimated salary that ranges from 70,000 Ghanaian Cedi to 150,000 Ghanaian Cedi a year. Besides, the salary will be different based on level of experience from entry level to mid-level to senior level. The other factor that determines a project manager’s salary is the size of the project and the industry.

Assistant Project Manager Salary in Ghana

Assistant project managers in Ghana earn an estimated salary that ranges from 40,000 Ghanaian Cedi to 60,000 Ghanaian Cedi. Since they help the project manager in running a project, their salary is less than their immediate supervisor. Project size, nature of the industry and level of experience are also considered in setting their pay.

Job Outlook for Project Managers in Ghana

There is a strong demand in Ghana for project managers. As businesses in the country increase the number of projects they are initiating, the higher the need for professionals who can execute them successfully. Organizations in Ghana are constantly looking for ways to improve their project management practices.