Ghana
Ghana At a Glance:
People Reading on Phones and E-Readers: 7,076
Book Languages Available: Akuapem-Twi, English, Ewe, Hausa
Population: 27 Million
GDP: $50 Billion
Languages Spoken: Akuapem-Twi, English, Asante-Twi, Abron, Adangbe, Adele, Ahanta, Akan, Akposo, Animere, Anufo, AnyinShow More, Avatime, Awutu, Bimoba, Birifor, Bisa, Buli, Chakali, Chala, Cherepon, Chumburung, Dagaare, Dagbani, Dangme, Deg, Delo, Dompo, Dwang, Ewe, Farefare, Fulfulde, Ga, Gikyode, Gonja, Gua, Hanga, Hausa, Jwira-Pepesa, Kabiye, Kamara, Kantosi, Kasem, Konkomba, Konni, Kplang, Krache, Kulango, Kusaal, Lama, Larteh, Lelemi, Ligbi, Logba, Mampruli, Mfantse, Nafaanra, Nawdm, Nawuri, Nchumbulu, Nkami, Nkonya, Ntcham, Nyangbo, Nzema, Paasaal, Safaliba, Sehwi, Sekpele, Selee, Sisaala, Tumulung, Sisaala, Siwu, Tafi, Tampulma, Tem, Tuwuli, Vagla, Wali, Wasa
Literacy Rate: 76%
Learn about our programs in Ghana:
iREAD
Location: Eastern Region, Ghana
Sponsoring Organization: Worldreader
Launch Date: October 2010
Number of devices: 550 3G and Wi-Fi Kindles
Students and teachers: 400
Students’ grade level: Primary 4 to Senior High School 2
Types of books: Textbooks, storybooks, and reference materials
Deployment model: Each student has an e-reader
Do students take devices home: Yes
Other notable points: Worldreader continue to pilot new ideas directly at six schools, measure reading improvements and share what we learn with our partners. Students in two classrooms received solar charging cases in June 2013, as part of an alternative power solution pilot program.
Research: See our reports.
OrphanAid Africa
Location: Ayenyah (near Dodowa), Eastern Region, Ghana
Sponsoring Organization: OrphanAid Africa
Launch Date: March 2010
Number of devices: 20 initially; now five 3G e-readers being used in a library model
Students’ grade level: All grade levels and ages
Types of books: Storybooks and reference materials
Deployment model: Initial classroom trial with 20 students and each student had an e-reader. Transitioned in April 2010 to a library model at the community center.
Do students take devices home: No
Other notable points: Solar power for charging, and windmill-powered Internet.
Research: Read our trial report for a more thorough overview.
iREAD 2: All Children Reading
Location: Suhum Municipalities and Ayensuano Districts, Ghana
Sponsoring Organization: World Vision, USAID, and AusAID (All Children Reading grant)
Launch Date: February 2013
Approximate number of students and teachers: 620
Number of devices: 800 Wi-Fi Kindles
Students’ grade level: Primary 1-3
Types of books: Textbooks, storybooks and reference materials (Eng and Twi)
Deployment model: Each student has an e-reader
Students take devices home: Yes
Other notable points: This is a research study involving four treatment schools and four control schools. Literacy skills are measured using the Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) test. Additional components of this project include teacher trainings on literacy instruction (through Worldreader’s partnership with the Olinga Foundation), after school reading activities, and regular accountability committee meetings.
Pavuu Baptist Primary School
Location: Lawra, Upper West Region, Ghana
Sponsoring Organization: Savannah Education Trust
Launch Date: June 2014
Approximate number of students and teachers: 4 teachers and 90 students
Number of devices: 100 Wi-Fi Kindles
Students’ grade level: Primary 1-4
Types of books: Textbooks, storybooks and reference materials
Deployment model: Individual
Students take devices home: No
The Story: Pavuu is one of the most deprived areas in Ghana. The area has no public school. The Ghana Education service has attempted twice to set up schools but both failed due to long distances between the schools and the population. (Children had to walk between 30 to 50km to get the nearest school.) Savannah Education Trust saw this problem and decided to build Pavuu Baptist Primary. The school serves children in Pavuu and settlements in an area of 5 to 20km. But building the school has proven not to be enough. Before Worldreader the school had an average of one textbook per class, thanks to Savannah Education Trust these students now have access to 10,000 books.
AWO MEMORIAL INSET SCHOOL
Location:Sogakope, Eastern Region, Ghana
Sponsoring Organization: Jeff Strang
Launch Date: September 2014
Approximate number of students and teachers: 300 students and 15 teachers
Number of devices: 25 Wi-Fi Kindles
Students’ grade level: Primary To Junior High
Types of books: Textbooks, Storybooks and Reference Materials
Deployment model: Library
Students take devices home: No
The Story: Dr. David Dogbe, the school’s proprietor and the E-Reader Project Manager, established Awo Memorial Inset School to improve girl’s education in honor of Awo Tokleo. In honoring her memory, the school has a 75 percent female student population and school management body. Now, through the Worldreader Program, girls in the Sogakope community have set their eyes on social empowerment.
Dzelukope, Mangoase, and Saviefe Primary Schools
Location:Volta Region, Ghana
Sponsoring Organization: Pencils of Promise
Launch Date: June 2014
Approximate number of students and teachers: 300 students and 18 teachers
Number of devices: 300 Wi-Fi Kindles
Students’ grade level: Primary
Types of books: Textbooks, Storybooks and Reference Materials
Deployment model: Individual
Students take devices home: Yes
The Story: Through a collaboration with Pencils of Promise (PoP), 300 e-readers with 30,000 e-books were deployed into the Mangoase, Dzelukope and Saviefe Primary Schools in the Volta Region of Ghana. Each school received 100 e-readers with 10,000 e-books. Pencils of Promise contributed to the construction of the school buildings and now with e-readers students have a great opportunity to begin the road towards literacy.