From the awe-inspiring Kakum National Park to Cape Coast Castle (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the African nation of Ghana is renowned for its rich history and vibrant culture.
But beyond its natural beauty and heritage, Ghana is quietly becoming an attractive option for businesses looking to expand their global hiring.
Key takeaways:
- Ghana is home to a diverse talent pool of skilled professionals, particularly in sectors like IT, customer service, and finance, ready to contribute to global remote teams.
- The country's government has implemented supportive policies for entrepreneurship and foreign investment, creating a welcoming work environment for businesses.
- Ghana's expanding internet infrastructure ensures reliable connectivity and collaboration between remote workers and global teams.
Advantages of Hiring in Ghana
Some of the benefits of hiring in Ghana include its young population, with over 57% of Ghanaians under 25. This translates to a vibrant workforce of top talent eager to adapt to new technologies and roles and join global teams.
Key stats about Ghana include:
- Languages: English, Indigenous Languages
- Currency: Ghanaian Cedi (GHS)
- Capital City: Accra
- Population: 32.4 Million
- Cost of Living Rank: 90th
An Emerging Digital Ecosystem
Ghana's government has invested strategically in infrastructure and education, especially STEM-focused degrees, resulting in a literacy rate of 76%.
Additionally, the government's digitization of business processes simplifies tasks like obtaining licenses and making payments, reducing overhead for businesses and making sourcing and managing full-time remote workers easier.
Another notable growth area is the country's internet infrastructure, where Ghana has become a leader among African nations. In early 2024, Ghana had a 69.8% internet penetration rate, with approximately 24 million users online.
The government is actively expanding broadband coverage, especially in rural areas. This development ensures remote workers in Ghana have reliable connectivity to global markets.
Ghana also boasts a highly skilled workforce in information and communications technology (ICT), software development, data science, and finance. The government continues strengthening these industries through targeted programs, making Ghana an attractive hub for companies looking to hire remote employees.
Common remote job sectors in Ghana include:
- Technology
- Customer Service
- Finance
- Accounting
- Writing
- Graphic Design
Hiring Compliantly in Ghana
Employment Contracts
In Ghana, employment contracts fall into three categories:
- Permanent employment contracts are the most common and provide long-term job security for employees. Employers must provide permanent employees with a written contract within two months of starting the job.
- Casual employment contracts are suited for short-term or seasonal jobs lasting up to six months. Although they offer less job security and fewer benefits than permanent roles, these contracts provide flexibility for employees and employers.
- Temporary employment contracts are used for specific projects with fixed end dates. Like casual contracts, temporary employees receive fewer benefits than permanent positions but are ideal for project-based roles.
Working Hours & Pay
The standard workweek in Ghana is 40 hours, typically five days a week, with eight work hours per day.
As of January 1, 2024, the daily minimum wage in Ghana is GHS 18.15, and overtime is paid at 150% of the regular pay rate.
Probation Periods
Probation periods are not mandatory in Ghana, but they are common and typically range from three to six months.
Employer Taxes
In Ghana, employers must contribute 13% of an employee's gross salary to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT). These contributions fund retirement benefits, survivors' benefits, and disability payments.
Termination Process & Severance Pay
The termination process depends on the terms outlined in the employment contract and any applicable collective agreements. Either party may terminate the contract at any time, provided they give written notice.
The length of the notice period depends on the contract duration:
- Weekly contract: 7 days' notice
- 0-3 years: 2 weeks' notice
- 3+ years: 30 days' notice
Severance pay isn't required for individual dismissals in Ghana. However, in cases of redundancy, severance compensation is negotiated between the employer and the employee.
Paid Leave Laws in Ghana
Vacation and Holiday
In Ghana, employees are eligible for 15 days of annual paid vacation after completing at least one year of continuous service.
In addition to vacation leave, there are 13 public holidays in Ghana, including Independence Day, Republic Day, and Founders' Day.
Sick Leave
There is no specific national policy on sick leave, but employees are generally permitted sick leave as long as they provide a certificate from a medical provider.
Maternity Leave
Pregnant female employees are eligible for 12 weeks of fully paid maternity leave.
Paternity Leave
Ghana currently doesn't offer paternity leave, but the government is considering a new law called the Labour (Amendment) Bill of 2023, which proposes introducing paternity leave for fathers.
Ghana for Remote Workers
Ghana doesn't offer a formal digital nomad visa. However, it's an appealing option for freelancers and remote workers due to its low cost of living, vibrant expat communities, and growing internet infrastructure.
With tourist visas typically allowing stays of up to 90 days, digital nomads have enough flexibility to work and explore. Metropolitan cities like Accra, Kumasi, and Cape Coast are popular with expats, offering co-working spaces and reliable internet infrastructure.
Ghana's combination of affordability, culture, and innovation make it an attractive choice for remote work.
How to Pay Remote Workers in Ghana
Companies have several options to consider when paying remote workers in Ghana.
- Bank wire transfers are a standard method because they offer reliability. However, they often involve high fees and longer processing times, especially for international transactions.
- Wise is another popular option, known for its lower fees and mid-market exchange rates, though it might take a few days to process.
- Partnering with an Employer of Record (EOR) for companies managing global payroll can simplify the payment process. EORs handle payroll, tax filings, and legal matters, making it easier for businesses to manage payments and remain compliant while hiring remote workers.
Hire in Ghana with RemoFirst
An Employer of Record acts as the legal employer for companies employing global team members, handling human resource tasks from onboarding to payroll and taxes to compliance with local labor laws.
As an EOR, RemoFirst simplifies the process of hiring global talent in over 180 countries, including Ghana.
If you're looking to expand your team and hire remote talent in Ghana, RemoFirst can help. Book a demo today to learn more.
