The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has inaugurated an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) centre in the Nanton District of the Northern Region.
This initiative aims to enhance education quality in the area by providing essential teaching and learning resources.
The newly established ICT centre, the first of its kind in the district, is set to benefit more than 1,700 students across six schools.
Housed in a facility donated by the Haira Excellence Academy, the centre received substantial support from private sector partner IPMC Ghana, which contributed 21 laptop computers along with necessary accessories and audiovisual literacy instruction materials.
In addition to the ICT center, USAID has facilitated a significant donation of teaching and learning materials to bolster educational outcomes in the region.
These materials include English teacher guides, read-aloud compendiums, supplementary readers, student textbooks and workbooks, flash cards, and alphabet charts and cards.
Deputy Education Minister, Rev. Ntim Fordjour at the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) center in the Nanton District of the Northern Region
The agency allocated $70,000 (equivalent to over one million Ghanaian Cedis) for printing and distribution, benefiting 154 low-fee private schools across 13 districts in the Northern, North East, Upper East, and Upper West Regions.
During the commissioning ceremony, U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, Rolf Olson, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts between the private sector, government entities, and educational institutions in enhancing education quality.
He highlighted that the ICT center and educational materials are outcomes of these partnerships, aimed at improving teaching standards and promoting educational access in underserved communities.
The ICT center and educational material donations are integral components of the USAID Advancing Partnerships for Improved Learning (APIL) Activity.
This initiative supports over 200 low-fee private schools in northern Ghana, aiming to provide quality education opportunities for children in marginalized areas.
Olson underscored the United States’ commitment to Ghana’s education sector, emphasizing its role in fostering economic development, reducing poverty, and promoting social cohesion through quality education. He noted that quality education enhances opportunities for decent work, income generation, and overall well-being among citizens.
The United States remains Ghana’s largest bilateral development partner, with substantial support provided through USAID in sectors such as education, health, economic growth, and agriculture.
In 2023 alone, development assistance from USAID to Ghana exceeded $140 million, underscoring ongoing commitment to fostering sustainable development and prosperity in the country.