Foundations of Change
Dear Lead For Ghana Community,
Welcome to this edition of Briefings From Lead For Ghana brought to you by Kwame Addo Foundation. Here’s what to expect:
Youth Values Handbook?Piloting – School Based Facilitators Workshop
The Ghana Education Service, in collaboration with Lead For Ghana, Honour Ghana, and the Youth Advisory Board, is piloting the Youth Values Handbook under the tagline Essential Values for Ghanaian Youth. This initiative aims to instill fundamental values and principles in young people, empowering them to become responsible and impactful citizens.
To ensure effective implementation, training sessions are being conducted for school-based facilitators who will integrate these values into classroom learning. This week, we are rolling out the training in Ghana’s Northern Belt, covering the Oti, Upper East, Upper West, Northern, and Savannah Regions.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with facilitators expressing enthusiasm and commitment. Their excitement and acceptance of this initiative will drive the successful implementation of the Youth Values Handbook, shaping the next generation of Ghanaian leaders.
Fellow Spotlight: Eugene Prince-Hagan - Learning & Leadership
From the Lecture Hall to the Classroom
For Eugene Prince-Hagan, education has always been more than just a profession; it’s a calling. Currently in the second year of the Lead For Ghana Fellowship, Eugene teaches computing at Gyanekrom D/A Basic School in the Oti Region, where he also serves as the class teacher for Basic Eight. With an undergraduate degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Education, Winneba, and a master’s degree in progress at the same institution, Eugene’s academic journey has been driven by a passion for learning and leadership. But how did he end up here? It all started with a message from his sister, urging him to apply for Lead For Ghana. At the time, he was a teaching assistant for three lecturers during his national service. A quick visit to the Lead For Ghana website was all it took to convince him.
“I like to transform people. I like to share knowledge and impact others. When I read about the vision of Lead For Ghana, ensuring every child in Ghana has access to excellent education. I knew I had found something special.”?
A Journey of Firsts: Challenges and Growth
Moving from the Central Region to the Oti Region was a cultural shift for Eugene. I had never traveled on a ferry before, and crossing a river for the first time was an experience in itself.
Despite the warm welcome from the students and the community, he faced challenges adjusting to the infrastructure and climate. The erratic power supply made it difficult to use my laptop for lesson planning. The dust during Harmattan made me cough constantly. But the biggest challenge was the students’ low English proficiency.
In the classroom, he encountered another issue. Many students lacked exposure beyond their immediate surroundings. Their aspirations were shaped by what they saw daily: farming, security work, and other local jobs. Eugene knew he had to change that.
Expanding Horizons: Teaching Beyond the Textbooks
Eugene’s teaching strategies go beyond traditional methods. He introduced videos showcasing life outside their community, featuring cities, technology, and global advancements.
“I wanted them to see that there’s a world beyond Gyanekrom. Once they saw tall buildings and innovations, some students started saying they wanted to be architects and engineers.”
He also recognized that students found note-taking tedious, so he made it engaging.
“I brought my Bluetooth speaker to class and played instrumentals while they wrote notes. It created a calm, focused environment, and they actually enjoyed it.”
Measurable Impact: From Struggle to Success
Eugene’s efforts have borne fruit. Initially, many students struggled to distinguish between basic computing components. However, by arranging visits to a neighboring community’s computer lab, he provided them with hands-on experience.
“Before, they couldn’t tell the difference between a monitor and a system unit. Now, they can confidently explain their functions. Students who once scored zero are now hitting three or five out of five.”
One student, Mata, has shown remarkable improvement, moving from low scores to near perfection in assessments.
A Legacy in the Making: The Capstone Project
As Eugene nears the completion of his fellowship, he is already working on a capstone project with fellow teacher Abraham. Their goal? To provide 30 dual desks for the school, where overcrowding forces some students to sit on the floor.
“Some students share desks meant for two, while others stand during lessons. We also plan to provide whiteboards for JHS classes and repaint the school building, which hasn’t been touched in years.”
With sponsors already showing interest, Eugene is hopeful that his initiative will create a lasting impact.
Advice to Future Fellows: Believe in the Kids
Eugene knows firsthand how challenging the journey can be. He recalls moments of frustration when progress seemed slow.
“I once nearly cried in class because I wasn’t seeing immediate results. But I learned that patience and belief in the students are key.”
To aspiring and current fellows, he offers this:
“Never lose hope. These kids are brilliant. They just need direction. As long as we keep believing in them, they will rise beyond our expectations.”
Alumni Spotlight: Raha Zakaria - Leadership & Advocacy
Discovering a Path of Purpose
For Raha Zakaria, education has always been more than just a degree—it is a tool for transformation. With a bachelor's degree in Development Studies from the University for Development Studies in Tamale, she was determined to contribute meaningfully to improving educational outcomes in deprived communities. Her journey with Lead For Ghana began when she stumbled upon an application call online. Curious, Raha reached out to past fellows who shared insights into the fellowship.
"I saw that it aligned with my personal mission to ensure quality education for students in underserved areas. That’s when I knew I had to apply."
After a rigorous selection process, she secured her place in the fellowship, setting the stage for a transformative experience.
Learning Through Challenge: The Fellowship Experience
The Lead For Ghana Fellowship was intense yet rewarding. The online Institute sessions was particularly demanding, as Raha had to balance it with her university lectures.?
"It was difficult, but it taught me time management. I had to create a strict schedule to ensure I didn’t miss any sessions."
The experience not only honed her ability to manage multiple responsibilities but also deepened her understanding of structured learning environments.
Once in the classroom, Raha engaged with students and teachers, fostering an atmosphere of learning and collaboration. A pivotal moment came when she intervened to help a final-year student who was being denied access to extra classes by her stepmother. Through strategic dialogue with the headteacher, Raha ensured that the student received the necessary academic support without conflict at home.?
"This experience taught me the power of stakeholder engagement and negotiation."
Transitioning from Fellow to Education Advocate
Raha’s fellowship experiences paved the way for her current role at School For Life under the USAID SAGES project, which focuses on improving learning outcomes in Northern Ghana. When she saw the job listing, she immediately recognized its alignment with her skills and aspirations.?
"They needed someone with knowledge in education systems, stakeholder engagement, and school improvement strategies, things I had gained firsthand through Lead For Ghana.”
Just a month after completing the fellowship, Raha secured the position, proving the importance of preparedness and strategic career planning.
Beyond the Job: Mentoring and Community Impact
Beyond her professional role, Raha is deeply committed to mentorship. She provides leadership and career development training to young girls, particularly in senior high schools. Her mentorship initiative has impacted students at Tamale Senior High, Tamale Islamic SHS, and even university students at University of Development Studies and Tamale College of Education.
Words of Wisdom for Current and Aspiring Fellows
To those currently in the fellowship, Raha offers this advice:?
"Always think about your next step. Ask yourself: What happens after the fellowship? Where do I want to be? That mindset helped me secure my role right after completing the program."
She also emphasizes the power of volunteering.?
"It builds skills, expands networks, and often leads to unexpected opportunities. My biggest career break, facilitating an EU-funded training program came not from an application, but through connections I made while volunteering."
A Bright Future Ahead
With a clear vision and a relentless drive for educational development, Raha Zakaria continues to shape lives and inspire future leaders.?
"Education is the foundation of change. If we invest in young minds today, we secure a better future for all."
Education News In Africa
Congo: Why fixing education in eastern Congo can end conflict.
In recent months, the world’s attention has turned, once again, to the ongoing crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Calls for de-escalation have grown louder, urging an end to the violence and insecurity that have gripped the region. But de-escalation alone is not enough. Returning eastern DRC to the fragile equilibrium that existed before this latest flare-up will only ensure that history repeats itself. If we do not address the root causes of instability, the cycle of violence will persist. (Source: The East African)
Ghana: We need to expand financial resources used to fund education – Institute for Education Studies.
The Executive Director of the Institute for Education Studies, Dr. Peter Partey Anti, has emphasised the urgent need to expand the sources of funding for education in Ghana. He believes that broadening the financial scope will help address persistent challenges in the sector, particularly those affecting the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy and curriculum reforms at the basic level. (Source: Joy News)
Ghana partners with GPE to strengthen education sector with $2.23m.
The Ministry of Education and UNICEF Ghana have secured a three-year Systems Capacity Grant (SCG) from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) valued at USD$2.23 million. The grant takes effect in January 2025 and runs through to December 2027. This initiative aims to strengthen Ghana’s education sector by enhancing systemic capacity, improving policy planning, and fostering sustainable educational reforms. (Source: Joy News)
Announcement
Connect With Us
For all the latest updates and behind-the-scenes scoops that don’t always make it into our newsletter, be sure to follow us on our social media platforms. By connecting with us, you'll receive regular updates, gain insights into our initiatives, and get a closer look at the impact we're making. Plus, it’s a great way to engage with our community and share your thoughts and ideas. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, WhatsApp Channel, and LinkedIn to ensure you never miss out on any of the action!
Join The Movement
The work we do is made possible by generous donations and grants from well-wishers and individuals who strongly want to see Ghana and Africa thrive. For us to continue the work we do and expand educational opportunities to all children in Ghana, we are counting on you to support our work by becoming a donor to our cause. Thank you so much and we look forward to you joining our donor community.
End