In Honor of Teachers
Dear Lead For Ghana Community,
Welcome to this week’s edition of Briefings From Lead For Ghana brought to you by Mars. And a Happy World Teachers’ Day to all fellows and teachers in Ghana! Here’s what to expect in this edition:
A Message From The CEO - Thank You, Teachers!
Dear Fellows,
I want to take a moment to truly celebrate and honor the incredible impact each of you is making in the lives of students across Ghana. Your dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to your students shine brightly, and today, we pause to recognize and appreciate all you do.
Being a teacher is not just a profession—it’s a profound calling to inspire, nurture, and empower the next generation. At Lead For Ghana, we are privileged to be part of a community of educators who, day after day, go above and beyond to ignite the minds of young people and pave the way for their future success.
Each time you step into your classroom, you create a space where students feel safe, encouraged, and empowered to grow, explore, and realize their full potential. Even in the face of challenges, your resilience and creativity never waver. You continue to adapt, guiding your students not just to academic achievements, but to become confident, well-rounded individuals ready to take on the world.
At Lead For Ghana, we believe that education is the most powerful tool for solving societal problems and creating equal opportunities. You, as teachers, are the architects of a brighter future. In underserved communities across the country, your work is laying the foundation for lasting change, bridging gaps, and opening doors to a world of possibilities for the children you serve.
I am continuously inspired by your stories—stories of perseverance, innovation, and heart. You are not just teaching subjects; you are shaping lives. You give more than knowledge—you offer hope, build confidence, and inspire dreams. As mentors, role models, and pillars of your communities, you are planting seeds of greatness that will blossom for generations to come. For this, I am deeply grateful.
On this World Teachers' Day, I want to say thank you. Thank you for your invaluable contributions to education. Together, we are creating a future where every child has access to an excellent education, regardless of their background.
Here’s to you—the heroes in and out of the classroom. Thank you for being the heart of Lead For Ghana. Thank you for being the difference.
With deep gratitude,
Daniel
Fellow Spotlight: Gladys Selorm Amekudzi - Bridging Gaps and Building Futures
In honor of World Teachers' Day, we are thrilled to spotlight one of our extraordinary fellows, Gladys Selorm Amekudzi, whose passion for education is transforming lives in her community. Gladys joined Lead For Ghana last year as a science fellow, teaching six classes at Asarekrom D/A Junior High School. Despite the challenges, her unwavering dedication to her students is truly inspiring.
Gladys joined the Lead For Ghana Fellowship because of her deep passion for education and her desire to inspire others - something she didn’t have growing up. She had promised herself that, given the opportunity, she would become a mentor to others. The fellowship, for her, represented the perfect avenue to fulfill that promise.
During her undergraduate teaching practice and internships, Gladys worked with students who had some foundational literacy and numeracy skills, shaping her expectations for her fellowship. However, from her first day in the classroom, she was confronted with the reality of teaching students who struggled significantly with these basics. Many couldn’t read or write in English, and some were too shy to speak. Rather than feeling discouraged, Gladys saw this as an opportunity to empower young minds and help instill the confidence they needed to learn.
Collaborating with an English fellow, Gladys initiated a reading workshop, gathering students every Friday to practice reading aloud and improve their literacy. Despite initial resistance from the school administration, her persistence paid off. Over time, Gladys saw not only improvements in her students’ academic performance but also in their confidence in speaking English.
"At first, they were too shy to speak the language, but now they are improving every day. It’s not perfect yet, but I know with time, they will excel."
Her commitment to her students has led to remarkable results. In just one year, the average pass rate in her six science classes has improved from 20% to 55%. This impressive progress demonstrates how teachers like Gladys are transforming the educational landscape.
But Gladys' impact goes beyond academics. As a volunteer with CAMFED’s Learner Guide Program, she also mentors her students, teaching them valuable life skills, exposing them to career possibilities, and guiding them toward brighter futures. Whether through a casual chat before a science lesson or a structured mentorship session, Gladys is determined to shift her students’ mindsets toward the possibilities that education can unlock. Her interventions have significantly altered the outlook of many students, especially those who initially lacked interest in furthering their education beyond junior high school.
Although teaching was not part of Gladys’ original career plan, her experiences have made her fall in love with the profession. She now plans to either pursue a Master’s in Education or continue teaching full-time.
"For me, being a teacher means inspiring and empowering young minds to grow, learn, and thrive. I want every child to unlock their potential and become the best version of themselves."
She believes that her experience with the fellowship has equipped her to be a much better teacher than she ever imagined. One of the most valuable lessons she’s learned is how to tailor her lessons to meet the diverse learning needs of her students.
Looking to the future, Gladys envisions a Ghana where the gap between rural and urban education is bridged, giving every child equal opportunity. She also hopes for an education system that is more aligned with solving real-world problems, rather than outdated theoretical curricula that fail to prepare learners for the 21st-century job market.
To fellow educators, Gladys advises: "Continue learning." The world is dynamic and constantly changing, and educators must keep improving themselves to continue making a difference in the lives of their students.
On this World Teachers' Day, we celebrate teachers like Gladys, who are not only educators but also role models, mentors, and change-makers.
领英推荐
Alumni Spotlight: Ebenezer Kupualor - A Lifelong Commitment to Teaching and Leadership
From his time as a Lead For Ghana Fellow to his current role as a teacher and educational leader, Ebenezer Kupualor’s journey embodies the dedication and passion that defines the teaching profession. Over the past seven years, Ebenezer has been committed to education, from stepping in for absent teachers during his senior high school days to becoming a full-time mathematics teacher at The Roman Ridge School.
Ebenezer began his fellowship with Lead For Ghana in 2017, serving as a mathematics fellow at Gumani Methodist Junior High School in the Northern Region of Ghana, a place he had never visited before. Initially uncertain about teaching in such a remote area, Ebenezer’s love for teaching and his commitment to making a difference kept him grounded. To him, the classroom felt like home. Seeing his students’ eagerness to learn every day reminded him why he was there.
Ebenezer’s time in the North was transformative, not only for his students but for himself. He embraced the challenges of working in a resource-limited environment, where basic teaching materials were scarce. Despite this, Ebenezer and his fellow teachers spearheaded efforts to improve the school’s infrastructure, including establishing a computer lab - the first in the school’s history. Their efforts, driven by community support and fundraising, gave students access to technology, a critical tool for learning in today’s world.
Beyond infrastructure improvements, Ebenezer’s greatest pride comes from the lasting relationships he built with his students, many of whom are still in touch with him, sharing their progress and seeking his advice. His goal wasn’t just to teach subjects but to inspire a love for learning.
"As a teacher, it’s not just about imparting knowledge. It’s about nurturing young minds to see their potential and believe they can achieve anything, no matter the challenges."
The fellowship helped Ebenezer overcome his introverted nature through interactions with students, parents, community members, and other stakeholders. It also unearthed his leadership potential, helping him build interpersonal skills, manage a diverse group of students, broaden his perspective on leadership, and develop a deeper understanding of resource management.
“The best way to learn leadership skills is to first serve in the classroom.”
Inspired by his vision for education and leadership, Ebenezer pursued a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Management, with hopes of playing an influential role in shaping the future of education policy in Ghana. He was awarded the Best Graduating Student in Educational Leadership and Management in his graduate class at the University of Ghana, Legon.
Today, Ebenezer continues his teaching career at The Roman Ridge School, a private institution in Accra, Ghana. Though the school differs greatly from his experience in the North, Ebenezer carries the lessons from his fellowship with him, especially how to make the most of available resources.
Despite moving to a better-resourced school, Ebenezer remains deeply committed to bridging the educational divide between rural and urban schools in Ghana. His long-term goal is to create initiatives that support underserved schools, providing resources and motivating teachers to stay committed to the classroom.
“The disparity between rural and urban schools is still huge. I want to be part of the solution, helping to provide the tools and support that rural schools need to thrive.”
When asked what being a teacher means to him, Ebenezer’s response powerfully reflects his teaching philosophy:
"Being a teacher means being a reflective mirror - someone who helps students see their potential and guides them toward achieving their dreams. It’s not just about teaching lessons; it’s about being a mentor, a role model, and a nurturer. I cannot afford to fail them."
He encourages teachers across the country to be creative in their lesson delivery, incorporating exposure-based and practical lessons, and fostering an inclusive environment that empowers all students.
As we celebrate World Teachers’ Day, we honor alumni like Ebenezer Kupualor, who continue to make a lasting impact on education in Ghana long after their fellowship with Lead For Ghana. His journey reminds us that teaching is not just a job, but a lifelong commitment to shaping the future. Thank you, Ebenezer, for your passion, dedication, and unwavering belief in the power of education.
Education News In Africa
Ghana: Teachers demonstrate for better service conditions - Minister promises to resolve issues
Over 1,000 members of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) marched through the streets of Accra on Tuesday in protest against unresolved issues affecting their welfare. The demonstration sought to draw the government's attention to the non-implementation of allowances for teachers in deprived communities, non-payment of Tier 2 pension contributions, delays in promotion, placement and upgrading, disparities in the Single Spine Pay Policy and challenges with salary reactivation for teachers. (Source: Graphic Online)
Rwanda: UNESCO supports Rwanda’s TVET digitization strategy
With the support of UNESCO and its partners, as part of the Pan-African Initiative, Rwanda organized a kick-off workshop on September 12, 2024, to prepare the drafting of its national strategy document for the digitization of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and skills development systems. (Source: UNESCO)
South Africa: MCK Special School and iSchoolAfrica use tech to drive inclusive education
Two South African educational institutions that cater to learners with special needs have collaborated to help hearing-impaired students develop digital literacy. MCK Special School in Lenasia, Johannesburg, has partnered with iSchoolAfrica's Disability and Inclusion Programme to equip learners with iPads and other digital tools. The iPads are preloaded with interactive learning apps such as GeoGebra for mathematics and Dexteria for fine motor skills development. (Source: ITWeb)
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