A $60 million education initiative called “Strengthening Accountability in Ghana’s Education System (SAGES)” has been officially introduced in Accra.
Over the course of five years, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will collaborate with the Ministry of Education to enhance accountability and transparency within Ghana’s education sector.
SAGES aims to enhance primary education in 17 districts across four regions of Ghana, benefiting 1,254 schools and communities, as well as 508,269 students nationwide.
Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, Deputy Minister of Education, emphasized the importance of teamwork among education sector stakeholders to successfully implement the SAGES initiative. He also noted that $10 million had been allocated to the Ghana Education Service and its key partners to strengthen the education accountability framework.
The Deputy Minister highlighted that accountability within the program would be data-driven, employing diagnostic interventions to address challenges and weaknesses in Ghana’s education sector.
Robust systems would be established to measure, compare, and transform data, building on past investments in the sector.
Rev. Fordjour cited the success of the USAID’s previous program in 2015, the “Reading Radio Programme and Classroom-based phonics lessons,” which significantly improved reading proficiency among pupils, demonstrating the positive impact of such initiatives.
Madam Kimberly Rosen, USAID Ghana Mission Director, emphasized the strong partnership between Ghana and the United States and their shared commitment to improving education for children, promoting good governance, and fostering sustainable development through the launch of SAGES.
Madam Rosen said, “this new activity is a $60-million investment in Ghana’s educations system, which means an investment in Ghana’s future. Of this $60 million, USAID will provide $10million directly to Government of Ghana to support government service delivery at national and district levels.”
She stated that USAID was providing extra help in the form of technical assistance to the Ministry of Education and other national organizations, as well as funding for over 1,200 elementary schools in the Northern Region.
“It is essential that education accountability has an impact on every learner. For that to happen, the Education Accountability Framework must drive change throughout the education system to improve the impact of education delivery.
This would entail teachers consistently arriving punctually and staying throughout the school day, supported by their community practice and colleagues engaged in mutual learning and sharing. Additionally, headteachers receive support from School Improvement Support officers. This collective support system aids teachers in assessing students’ progress against established benchmarks,” explained Ms. Rosen.
She expressed confidence that the USAID-supported initiative would have a significant and enduring impact on Ghana’s educational development.
Mrs. Mamle Andrews, Chief Director at the Ministry of Education, emphasized that the SAGES initiative represented a shared commitment among all stakeholders to provide every child in the country with quality education. It prioritizes accountability to ensure that no child is left behind, offering teachers the necessary resources for excellence in teaching.
Madam Rose F. Tchwenko, Country Director of Care International in Ghana, underscored her organization’s dedication to leaving no child behind. She expressed optimism that the investments made under SAGES would yield long-term benefits for future generations.
The USAID/Ghana SAGES activity is divided into two parts. The first component supports the Ministry of Education Accountability Framework on a national level, as well as citizen involvement in 17 districts across four regions.
Care International would lead a system strengthening activity in Ghana’s 17 districts under the second component.