Becoming a lecturer in Ghana is not easy. One would have to climb almost all the ladders of the educational cycle in Ghana in order to become a lecturer at the tertiary level.

In this article, we’ll be looking at everything you need to become a lecturer in Ghana. You’ll get to know the requirements to teach at a university in Ghana and how to apply to lecture at a university in Ghana.

One interesting fact about lecturing is that it offers you the opportunity to design a course, develop a unique teaching style, share your ideas with students and receive feedback, and influence young people.

As a lecturer, you can be a mentor to many young people, and you can also make a real difference in the world. In Ghana, lecturing can be very satisfying and rewarding. So, if you are thinking of venturing into academics, then this guide is for you.

Who is a lecturer?

A lecturer is a teacher who teaches academic and vocational subjects to undergraduate and postgraduate students. Lecturers work in universities and higher education colleges. They are called lecturers and not teachers because they give out lectures, seminars, tutorials, and practical demonstrations to larger class sizes.

A lecturer is also saddled with the responsibility of conducting research and leading a research group.

Interestingly, lecturers can also freelance in other institutions on a part-time basis, which makes lecturing a good and lucrative job for people with the passions, knowledge, and skills.

Skills Required to Become a Lecturer in Ghana
To become a successful lecturer, there are some skills that you must possess. Below are some of the skills that you need to become a lecturer in Ghana.

Verbal and written communication—To become a lecturer, you need good verbal and communication skills. Your ability to communicate fluently with your students both verbally and in writing allows them to understand you and the course.

Creativity—As a lecturer, you will have to be creative. Lecturers have to keep their students engaged; therefore, you have to use new methods to keep them engaged.

Confidence, Patience, and Control—Patience is a virtue. But when it comes to lecturing, you need more than that. Teaching young adults can get difficult too at times. You will need to have confidence and patience with your students, but you will also have to know how to control them and not let them distract you from delivering lectures.

Commitment—As a lecturer, it will be a priority to spend time making presentations, preparing for lessons, and marking exams and assessments on time. Therefore, lecturers have to be committed to their classes to deliver quality lessons to the students.

How do I become a lecturer in Ghana?

This is the most important question that you might have asked with regard to becoming a university or college lecturer in Ghana. So, let’s get straight to how to become a lecturer in Ghana.

1. Meet the Requirements
Just like every other job in the labour market, there are always some requirements that must be met before becoming a lecturer. It is advisable to take quality time to research and check the requirements needed to become a lecturer either in the university, polytechnic, or college of education.

According to the National Accreditation Board (NAB), the minimum requirement to lecture in Ghanaian universities is a terminal degree, i.e., a PhD.

However, you can also lecture with a researched master’s degree. The research component of the master’s degree must be of at least one-year duration. Such a degree includes an MPhil (Master of Philosophy).

In public universities like the University of Ghana, the best you can get without a PhD is Assistant Lecturer. On the whole, to stand a good chance of becoming a lecturer in Ghana, you need a PhD.

2. Write Your CV/Resume
Now that you’ve met the minimum requirements, you need to put together an effective academic CV. A good academic CV focuses on your educational achievements and knowledge and is used when applying for lecturing or research-based roles.

Although there’s no page limit, it’s important to keep your CV concise and targeted to the role’s requirements, with each section in reverse chronological order. Your qualifications, academic achievements, research interests, and skills should be shown on the first page. Ensure that your writing style is scholarly but clearly understood by those outside your field of interest.

Include details of your research outcomes, potential future developments, and any funding, scholarships or awards that you’ve received; conferences that you’ve attended; professional memberships that you’ve gained; and publications that you’ve been featured in.

3. Finding jobs
With your CV intact, it’s time to start job hunting. The best place to start is with your PhD supervisor, colleagues, and friends in academia. These people will be invaluable in passing on job information via word of mouth.

Another way is that openings may be advertised on the internet via university websites and other Ghanaian job platforms. You can also use our job directory to look for university lecturing jobs in Ghana.

Another place where you can find reliable information is print media like newspapers and school magazines.

In another way, you can also send applications to institutions that didn’t advertise for positions and alsoreach out to schools in person and meet with lecturers in your field of study to make an inquiry about openings.

4. Start Your Application
When applying for a lecturing job in Ghana, you may be required to submit or fill out application forms and send copies of your resume. In an event where you get a chance to write a cover letter, ensure you highlight your strengths, skills, motivations, and what you can offer to increase your chance of getting shortlisted. You may also be required to submit referees, so be prepared to produce written references; you may require two (2) or more.

A good and strongly written cover letter and strict adherence to the instructions on the advertisement will also increase your chance of getting called up for an interview.

5. Interview and Assessment
Once you have been shortlisted for a lecturing job interview, then you start your interview preparations. Start by making a reasonable effort towards researching the institution, the department, and the position that you are being interviewed for.

Be sure to make a presentation if need be and review your previous research works and knowledge as well. Also, ensure you answer sensitive questions about the positions successfully and with confidence.

Practice and prepare for common interview questions. On the day of the interview, be sure to make a good first impression by appearing in a neat corporate outfit. This will make you look smart and professional.

In conclusion, getting a lecturing job in Ghana isn’t a difficult task, especially with the right information. All you need to do is to have the minimum academic requirement, which is a PhD, and start sending out your applications. On the day of your interview, appear in a corporate outfit. Also, be sure to show confidence when answering the questions. If you follow these few steps stated above, then you can be sure to become a lecturer in Ghana.