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From Struggles to Success: Rural Ghana’s Education Breakthrough

Published on June 3 2025

In the soft morning light of Ayensuano, 12-year-old Adwoa clutches her exercise book as she walks barefoot to school, her steps steady with purpose. Not long ago, she could barely read simple sentences. Today, she reads aloud in front of her class with confidence.

“I used to be shy because I didn’t understand what was written,” she says. “But now I can read. I even help my little sister with her homework.”

Adwoa’s journey mirrors a growing shift in rural Ghana, where education once meant being in school but not necessarily learning. Despite Ghana achieving over 90% primary school enrollment, communities like Suhum and Ayensuano have struggled for years with poor infrastructure, limited teachers, and complex social barriers. Now, signs of real learning gains are beginning to emerge.

Barriers Beyond the Blackboard
For many rural children, simply getting to school is a victory. But staying there, and succeeding, is a different battle altogether.
At the secondary level, the numbers start to drop. Only about 65% of children move on from primary to Junior High School (JHS), with many pulled out to help on farms, get married early, or due to sheer financial pressure.

“Sometimes, girls don’t come back after vacation,” says Madam Efua Danso, a JHS teacher in Suhum. “You ask around and hear she’s been married or is expecting a child. It breaks your heart.”

Even those who remain often face quality deficits. The World Bank reports that only 35% of primary students in Ghana meet minimum proficiency in reading and mathematics, highlighting a systemic issue in how children are taught and supported.

A New Approach, A Brighter Path
That is where Savana Signatures’ Rural Youth in Ghana Catching Up on Education project stepped in, with a mission to change the narrative.

The project, implemented in Suhum and Ayensuano, focused not only on getting children into school, but making sure they learn, grow, and stay.

Professional development for teachers and school leaders has been a cornerstone. Through training in clinical supervision, learner-centred pedagogy, and the Standard-Based Curriculum, teachers are now better equipped to engage and inspire their students.

But the learning goes beyond academics.
“We teach about emotions, relationships, and personal growth,” says Mr. Ibrahim, a beneficiary teacher involved in the project. “Children now talk about how they feel. They’re more respectful, more confident, and more willing to learn.”

The project placed strong emphasis on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and Reproductive Health Education (RHE), areas often overlooked in rural classrooms. Teachers have been trained to weave emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and reproductive health into everyday lessons.
The outcome? Better behavior, improved attendance, and stronger student-teacher relationships.

“Before, I didn’t know how to say what I was feeling,” says 13-year-old Evans Kofi. “Now I tell my teacher when I’m sad or scared. She listens.”

Communities That Care True to its community-based approach, Savana Signatures ensured that the project also tackles the social and cultural challenges that affect learning, particularly for girls.

Savana Signatures has organized 45 community meetings, opened dialogue on issues like teenage pregnancy, child marriage, and parental neglect, and trained 150 parents on positive parenting and the importance of supporting girls’ education.

“I didn’t know how to talk to my children about certain things,” admits Beatrice, a mother in Ayensuano. “Now I talk to my daughter about her body, about school, about staying focused. I want more for her.”

Savana Signatures Closing the Gap, One Child at a Time
Raphael McClure Adomey the Programmes Manager for Education at Savana Signatures says the transformation is visible. “In classrooms, once quiet girls now raise their hands. Parents who rarely visited schools are now joining PTAs and attending workshops. Teachers who once felt unsupported now feel empowered.” Says Mr. McClure

There is still more to do, scaling interventions, enhancing teacher training, and deepening partnerships with the Ghana Education Service, but the path ahead is clearer than ever.

Through this model, learning gaps are being filled with real, measurable gains. Not just in test scores, but in confidence, awareness, and hope.

In rural Ghana, where a school uniform was once just a piece of clothing, it’s becoming a symbol of possibility.

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FC Tamale President Ibrahim Gagbuni Supports Northern Women’s Football Unity Games‎

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Published: September 5, 2026

Published at: 7:30Pm

By Abu Liza


‎ President of FC Tamale, Mr. Ibrahim Gagbuni, has demonstrated his commitment to the development of women’s football in the Northern Region by donating 10 family packs of Verna drinking water to the Northern Regional Women Football Clubs Association.


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‎The donation is to support the Association’s upcoming Unity Games in Kumbungu, an initiative aimed at bringing women’s football clubs together to promote unity, friendship, sportsmanship and community cohesion.
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‎Mr. Gagbuni said football goes beyond competition and can serve as a powerful tool for unity, peace and humanity. He encouraged participating clubs, players, officials and organizers to use the games to strengthen relationships and promote the development of women’s football in the region.


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‎The FC Tamale President noted that although the donation may be modest, it represents his willingness to support initiatives that create opportunities and improve the welfare of women involved in football.
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‎The Northern Regional Women Football Clubs Association expressed appreciation for the gesture, describing it as an important show of solidarity and support for the Unity Games.


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‎The Unity Games in Kumbungu are expected to bring together women’s football clubs in a spirit of friendship, healthy competition and collective development

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NAFCO Warns Public Against Fraudsters Posing as Agents to Secure School Feeding Contracts

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Published: September 3, 2026

Published at: 06:12Pm

By Saibu Terry

The National Food Buffer Stock Company Limited (NAFCO) has cautioned members of the public against individuals allegedly posing as agents of the company and claiming to have influence over the award of food supply contracts to second-cycle institutions.

According to NAFCO, the individuals are going around soliciting money from unsuspecting members of the public under the pretext of helping them secure food supply contracts.

In a disclaimer issued by its Corporate Affairs Department on Thursday, September 3, 2026, NAFCO stressed that no third party is engaged in the award and allocation of contracts for food supplies to schools.

The company explained that it operates an open-door policy and encouraged interested entities to register at its offices nationwide and undergo a rigorous merit-based selection process.

NAFCO warned that the selection process is devoid of third-party influence and urged the public to disregard anyone who claims to have connections or influence over the award of food supply contracts.

The company further advised anyone approached by individuals soliciting money in exchange for assistance in securing food supply contracts to report them to the nearest police station.

For further clarification on NAFCO’s operations, the company urged the public to contact its hotlines on 0244669709, 0549004501, and 0269983462, or email info@nafco.gov.gh.

NAFCO reiterated that members of the public should exercise caution and avoid making payments to individuals who claim they can influence the contract award process.

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Former Ghanaian Footballer Jafar Samed Issah Cheers on Friend Jaleen Smith as Croatia Thrash Latvia‎

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Published: August 29, 2026

Published at: 01:18Pm

By Saibu Terry
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‎Former Ghanaian professional footballer Abdul Jafar Samed Issah was in attendance, alongside his spouse Khadija , to support his close friend Jaleen Devon Smith as Croatia secured a convincing 115–80 victory over Latvia in the FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifying campaign on Thursday, August 27, 2026.


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‎Issah, who enjoyed a professional football career with stints in Denmark, Latvia, Ethiopia and other European destinations, made time to cheer on Smith as Croatia bounced back strongly following their defeat to Germany.
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‎Smith was instrumental in Croatia’s impressive performance, showcasing the form and quality that have made him an important figure for the national team. The result provided Croatia with a much-needed boost in their qualifying campaign.


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‎Beyond the sporting arena, Smith and Issah have developed a close friendship over the past year. Their relationship has extended beyond football and basketball, with the pair sharing ideas about potential humanitarian and community-development projects in northern Ghana.


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‎Smith, an American-born professional basketball player who has represented Croatia at international level, has developed a growing admiration for Ghana and is reportedly keen to contribute to initiatives that could positively impact communities in the northern part of the country.
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‎The friendship between the two sports personalities has therefore evolved into more than a personal connection, with discussions around future projects creating excitement among Smith’s supporters and admirers in Ghana.
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‎Smith recently signed with Hapoel Jerusalem, where he is set to compete in the Israeli Premier League and EuroCup. As he continues to make an impact on the basketball court, his growing connection with Ghana through his friendship with Jafar Samad Issah could open the door to meaningful humanitarian initiatives in the future.
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‎For Issah, Thursday’s game was another opportunity to stand firmly behind his friend and celebrate Croatia’s emphatic victory over Latvia.

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