Ghanaian Community in Birmingham

Where they come from

Ghana lies on the coast of West Africa and in 1957 became the first country south of the Sahara to win independence from colonial rule. English is the official language, and Akan languages such as Twi are widely spoken. Ghanaians have come to Britain as students, nurses, professionals and families.

The community in numbers

At the 2021 Census, out of a city population of 1,144,919, 2,245 Birmingham residents described their ethnic group as Ghanaian; 2,620 people living in the city had been born in Ghana; and 394 residents gave Akan as their main language. Main language figures leave out the many bilingual residents who use English day to day, so the number who speak the language at home is higher still.

Working for Birmingham

Ghanaian nurses, carers and doctors work across Birmingham's hospitals and care homes, and Ghanaian professionals work in finance, education, law, IT and business. Ghana is one of the world's leading producers of cocoa, and Cadbury has bought Ghanaian cocoa for more than a century, a link that ties Ghana to Bournville.

Birmingham grew rich as the city of a thousand trades, and that spirit of making and doing is still strong. Today the trades sit alongside healthcare, education, finance, law, logistics and technology. The Ghanaian community brings energy to that mix, from people starting small businesses to those caring for patients, teaching in classrooms and keeping homes and workplaces in good repair.

Culture and community life

Kente cloth, woven in bright patterns, is worn with pride at weddings and celebrations. Jollof rice, fufu and light soup are family favourites, and Ghanaian churches and associations are at the heart of community life. Independence Day on 6 March is a time of celebration.

The story of the Ghanaian community in Birmingham is still being written, by students, workers, parents and pensioners who call the city home. It is a story of hard work, friendship and quiet pride, and Birmingham is richer for it.