CV with a photo: should you add one in West Africa?
In francophone West Africa a CV photo is still common; in Ghana and in international organisations it is usually left out. Follow the job ad.
What employers expect
Local firms in Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire or Burkina Faso often expect a photo. Ghanaian employers, UN agencies and many NGOs prefer none, to limit bias. If the ad says "no photo", respect it.
Taking a good photo with a phone
- Daylight in front of you.
- Plain light background.
- Head and shoulders, looking at the lens.
- Interview clothes, no filters or cropped party shots.
| Tool | Price | Read by screening software | Strength | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Word / Google Docs | Free (or already installed) | Good with a simple layout | Full control, works offline | Slow formatting, dated templates |
| Canva | Free, premium elements paid | Variable: columns and icons can be misread | Very attractive design | Built for design, not for screening software |
| Online builders (Zety, Resume.io…) | Often free to build, paid options in dollars or euros | Usually good | Step-by-step guidance | Foreign currency, card often required |
| EmploiZen | Unlimited free CVs, AI options from 300 CFA francs | Real-text PDF, single-column version | Tests the CV against a job ad, local pricing | New service, AI writing is paid |
Prices and features checked in November 2026; they may change.
Where to place it
Top corner, small. Avoid wrapping text around it in columns, which some software misreads.
Frequently asked questions
Is a photo required on a CV in Ghana?
No. Most Ghanaian and international employers do not expect one.
What size should a CV photo be?
About passport size, at the top of the page.
Do NGOs want a photo?
Usually not. Many international organisations ask for CVs without one.
Kpak is published by the EmploiZen team, one of the tools mentioned in this article. Our transparency policy
