This professional development licensing programme is an intensive three-day examination session for Adventurers wishing to supervise or guide abseiling. This examination is aimed at the person who has already undergone training by a Master-Guide and wants to be tested to obtain a licence to work as a mountaineering adventure guide, or at anyone who runs group abseiling adventures as part of their work, such as school teachers, camp counsellors, and social workers. For prospective mountain adventure professionals, this licensing session is usually the first step toward qualifying as a rock-climbing or abseiling Guide. The exams are based on Levels 2 and 3 of the OAG Mountaineering & Abseil Guiding Certification syllabus.
Abseil Licensing Course topics
Equipment; knots; personal and client abseiling skills; abseil instruction and communication; anchor construction; fixed and releasable abseil set-ups; hoisting systems; rope ascending; improvised rescue techniques; dealing with emergencies and client care. The Licensing Course lasts 3 days and 2 nights at the Enclave, Truba, in Kumasi, and includes a mix of theory and practical sessions led by our licensed Master Guides.
Dates, Costs & Assessments
The MGA 202/203 licensing examinations run from Monday, November 2 to Wednesday, November 4, 2026 and cost 500 GHS for residents, and 1,000 GHS for non-residents. The assessment consists of a written exam and a practical field assessment after candidates have recorded a total of 60 lead abseil-guiding events in their logbook across at least 5 different locations and outcrops.
“The Abseil Guiding Course takes candidates completely away from city life into one of Ghana’s beautiful outdoor environments so they can immerse themselves in the outcrops and learn all it takes to receive the license that literally makes their hands trustworthy for abseil clients.” Nana Adjoa Darkoah
Participant Requirements
The course is open to any reasonably healthy and physically capable person over the age of 18. Courses for younger participants can be arranged on request. Previous mountaineering experience is not required, but would be helpful. Participants must have an English-speaking capability at SSCE Level. A minimum of four students is required for the course to run, and the maximum allowable number of students per course is 12. There is a maximum of 1 Instructor: 12 students for the practical assessment.
Equipment
The OAG will provide all group and specialist equipment for this exams, but students are encouraged to have and bring their own equipment where available. Students are required to have their own suitable outdoor clothing and footwear and to pack according to the list below as a guide. Meals, water and tent-camping equipment are included in the fee for non-residents. Return transport to the training location is each participant’s responsibility:
- A 40-litre backpack
- A 10-litre day pack
- 1 good outdoor tent
- A pair of good hiking boots
- Outdoor walking sandals
- A cap or hat
- 3 water bottles
- 3 sets of outdoor clothing
- 1 sleeping bag or thick blanket
- 1 sleeping mat
- Wash kit – small towel, sponge and soap
- 1 bowl for meals
- A can of insect repellent
- A box of matchsticks
- Raincoat
- 1 machete
- Hiking poles
- A compass
How to Apply
Fill out the Abseil Guiding Course Application. It has all the information you need to provide to be a candidate for the Course.
