The Ghana Institute of Languages (GIL) was established under the Ministry of Education in 1961 by the first president of the Republic of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. In 1963 by a Presidential Decree of Incorporation, the Institute was attached to the Office of the President. In 1969, Legislative Instrument 114 was revoked, and the National Liberation Council Decree (NLCD 324), which replaced it, gave the Institute the status of an autonomous Body Corporate with a Board of Management appointed by the Commissioner for Education, Culture and Sports.

It was later placed under the control of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Currently the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) has oversight responsibility over the Institute under the Ministry of Education Science and Sports. The Institute was established to teach foreign languages in order to promote Pan-Africanism and cordial relations between Ghanaians and foreigners.

The GIL has upheld these goals and improved in quality and scope by the teaching of international languages, namely: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish, at the beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.

Our Schools Currently, the Ghana Institute of languages has three schools:
1. School of Languages(SOL)
2. School of Translators(SOT)
3. School of Bilingual Secretaryship(SOBS).

The GIL has upheld these goals and improved in quality and scope by the teaching of international languages, namely: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish, at the beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.

The School of Translators was started in 1964. Currently, the School is affiliated with the University of Ghana and awards the Bachelor of Arts in Translation. It trains professional translators. In addition, the training gives experience in the general principles of conference interpreting thereby preparing graduates for positions in such organizations as the United Nations Organization (UNO), the Africa Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other organizations that organize international conferences.

At the end of their training, graduates have high proficiency in English and French and a third international language selected from the other international languages taught at the Institute.

The Diploma in Bilingual Secretaryship programme was begun in 1974. Its aim was to meet the growing need for secretaries that have proficiency in both English and French. Now, it is a three-year programme which is affiliated to the National Board for Professional and Technician Examination (NABPTEX) which awards the Higher National Diploma.

The Ghana Institute of Languages offers translation services to clients at all its campuses.

The main campus is at Adabraka on the Education Link. It shares a block with the University of Ghana, City Campus. There is a second campus at East Legon, near the University of Professional Studies. The Institute has a branch each in Kumasi. This branch is cited close to the Kumasi Technical University.

This branch was opened in January 1969. The Kumasi branch runs both the language programmes and the HND Bilingual Secretaryship programme. In addition, it has pilot campuses at Sunyani and Takoradi for teaching a special programme in Arabic for academic purposes to teachers of Arabic. There is another branch in Tamale. It is on the Education Ridge. This branch runs the language programmes and the special Arabic for academic purposes programme at satellite campuses at Bawku, Wa and Walewale.