Accra, Ghana (September 10, 2025) – Ghanaian entrepreneur Sammy Crabbe has launched the International Foundation Group (IFG) Ghana in Accra, opening a new education pathway designed to give local students and their families a more affordable route to world-class UK universities.
Starting with intakes on September 29, 2025, and January 2026, IFG Ghana offers Foundation and Pre-Master’s programmes that guarantee admission to over 20 top-class UK universities upon completion.
The initiative is a lifeline for students who, for one reason or another, cannot qualify directly for UK universities, enabling them to prepare right here in Ghana instead of travelling abroad for costly foundation years. Families stand to save up to 65% of the cost, making international education significantly more accessible.
“We cannot simply export our brightest students and hope they come back,” Crabbe said at the launch. “By anchoring part of the learning here, we keep the networks, internships and research linkages grounded in Ghana. That is where knowledge remittance begins.”
The programmes cover Business & Management, Engineering, Science & Pharmacy, Law & Social Sciences, Computer Science, and a Pre-Master’s in Business. Tuition fees are set at £5,000 for most courses and £6,000 for Medical Foundation, compared with around £15,000 in the UK.
IFG partners with 20 UK universities, including four from the Russell Group, guaranteeing students a seamless transition once they complete their studies locally.
From January 2026, the programmes will also be run in partnership across several Ghanaian university campuses. Confirmed partners include the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Wisconsin International University College, and Entrance University.
Discussions are also underway to run courses on the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) campus, with more partnerships expected. Crabbe noted that IFG Ghana’s model can only expand nationwide through such collaborations, ensuring greater reach and impact.
The launch drew a distinguished audience, reflecting the programme’s national importance. Hon. Vicky Bright, Chair of the IFG Ghana Advisory Board, attended alongside fellow members Mr Roland Acquah-Stevens and Ambassador Sylvia Annoh.
Senior representatives from GETFund, including Hon. Alhassan Dandaawa, Deputy Administrator, and Mrs Philida Lamptey, Director of Scholarships, also pledged support. The Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment was represented by Mr Felix Gyamfi, Head of the National Service Authority, while Hon. Patricia Appeagyei called for greater access for disadvantaged and disabled students. In a heartfelt message, Dr Nyaho Tamakloe urged the youth to remain loyal to Ghana even as they seek opportunities abroad.
The event was hosted by Nii Doodo Dodoo, Country Director of the British Council, with a panel discussion moderated by Mrs Jo Ann Sackey of the British High Commission. ExcelPlus, IFG Ghana’s recruitment partner, also spoke at the event, underscoring its commitment to reaching students across the country and the wider West African region.
Global partners also welcomed the initiative. Mohammed Al-Ansari, Executive Director of IFG HQ UK, described IFG Ghana as “a balance of quality and affordability,” while UK FCO Africa Director Tamir Ismail said it “delivers world-class education and long-term innovation back into the Ghanaian economy.” Prof. Kenneth Ofori-Boateng of GIMPA called it “a development tool as much as an academic pathway,” and Ghana’s higher education regulator, GTEC, pledged to ensure quality and sustainability.
Crabbe emphasised that beyond individual opportunity, IFG Ghana positions Accra as a regional education hub, able to attract students from across West Africa who might otherwise choose Dubai, Mauritius, or South Africa. “Education is not just about degrees; it is an industry that can create jobs,” he noted.
With international student numbers soaring 6.4 million globally in 2022, according to OECD data, IFG Ghana marks a bold step toward making Ghana not just a source of students for global universities, but a launchpad for affordable, high-quality education across the region.
Applications for the September 2025 and January 2026 cohorts are now open.
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