Abstract: The research sought to unearth the personal barriers confronting the enhanced studies of distance learners in a fore-running Learning Center in Ghana, West Africa. The phenomenological multiple case study research design was adopted to engage 20 purposively and conveniently sampled participants, in in-depth interviews regarding their idiosyncratic needs. Data were analysed via the Interpretive Phenomenological Approach, to induce themes in line with learners’ exclusive personal needs. Individual learners desired consistent professional counseling services and further lamented the ever-increasing cost of computerized study facilities that severely affected their studies. A well-furnished counselling facility, endowed with competent counsellors, and the introduction of counselling awareness at the freshers’ orientation were recommended to place distance students on a better learning path. Overall, the research confirmed distance learners’ urgent need for professional counseling services even at the freshers’ orientation programmes, to promote the studies of distance learners in Ghana.

Keywords: counseling needs, distance education, online learning, academic needs