With a population of approximately 30 million, Ghana, located in West Africa, predominantly speaks English as its official language. Notable institutions that offer psychology programs include the University of Ghana in Legon, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, and the University of Cape Coast.

Psychology in Ghana has a rich history that can be traced back to the early days of African civilization. The roots of psychology can be found in Philosophy, which was taught at Sankore University, the world's first university established in 989 AD in Mali.

Modern psychology in Ghana developed through scientific methods and emerged under colonial influences. It took shape at the University of Ghana in 1967 when the Department of Psychology was established by the late Professor Cyril Edwin Fiscian and the late Mr Herbert Claudius Ayikwei Bulley.

Given Ghana's rich cultural and historical backdrop, psychology in the country has always had a unique character. However, during periods of political upheaval and economic instability, the development and practice of psychology faced challenges. Currently, there's a surge in interest and research in psychology, reflecting the nation's evolving societal needs.

One notable figure in the history of psychology in Ghana is Antonius Guilielmus Amo, who obtained a Ph.D. in Philosophy and Psychology from the University of Wittenberg in 1734, making him the first black African to achieve such a distinction. Amo's dissertation addressed the mind-body problem, showcasing the potential for an African perspective in psychology. The Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg established a statue (see left) in 1965 to commemorate his contributions. Furthermore, since 1994, the university has been awarding the “Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Prize” to honor the black philosopher from Axim, celebrating the outstanding academic accomplishments of students and postgraduates.

Dr. Araba Sefa-Dedeh (1951 - 2022) was the first Ghanaian female clinical psychologist. Throughout her prolific career, she played a pioneering role in shaping clinical psychology in the country. In one study she contributed to, the findings indicated that Ghanaian students considered larger body sizes more ideal than that of their US counterparts. The Ghanaian students also believed that society generally saw larger body sizes as more desirable. This is just one example of how Dr. Sefa-Dedeh's research and practice have been instrumental in promoting culturally relevant therapeutic approaches and raising awareness about the importance of mental health care tailored specifically to Ghanaian society.

Dr. Charity Sylvia Akotia is a professor at the University of Ghana. Her research has largely centered on suicide prevention and eating behaviors, although she also researches the concept of ‘personhood’ in the African context. In one study, Dr. Akotia and her team explored how people respond to violations of social norms. This cross-cultural study found significant differences but also significant overlaps across the 57 countries involved.

Another notable figure is the multi-award-winning psychologist Dr. Samuel Adjorlolo, a lecturer at the University of Ghana. Apart from being a writer, editor, and peer reviewer, Dr. Adjorlolo’s primary research revolves around the mental health of children and adolescents. One of his studies looked at the role of adverse childhood experiences on the mental health of Ghanaian adolescents. Another recent study revealed patterns in juvenile offending, helping shed light on potential early interventions.