The Jacobs Foundation is collaborating with Edlabs across four countries to enhance evidence use in education policy, addressing the limited systematic evidence on policy labs' effectiveness. In this episode, Senyo speaks with Samuel and Marcela on a recent report that analyses key issues in the use of evidence and provides practical recommendations for their mission. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/educationafrica/support

In this episode, Kwame speaks with Triumph Tetteh, Director at Starters technology. Triumph has always been passionate about Technology and Engineering. However, his journey into education began unexpectedly while serving as a research assistant at KNUST, when he took the opportunity to give children piano lessons. This experience intrigued him about how kids' brains work and how they grasp and assimilate knowledge at very young ages, leading him to the question: "What if education was predictable given the right exposure and experience?" He became determined to create a tailored educational journey for children, utilizing data feedback to optimize their learning experiences and set them on a path to success. Triumph's outfit, Starters Technology, is a child development company that explores the interests of younger ones, using technology to guide and accelerate their growth and prepare them for future careers. By doing so, Starters Technology solves two critical problems: providing custom-designed and personalized programs for children and merging education, innovation, and career development to exist in the same system. Kwame explores Triumph's insights on the education space in Ghana, delving into Starters Technology’s successes and the impactful work they are doing nationwide. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/educationafrica/support

In this episode, we delve into a conversation with Manny Oppong, COO, and Oscar Yaw Asamoah, CEO of Techten Planet, sharing their personal journeys and mission to empower the next generation of tech leaders. Driven by a shared vision, they established Techten Planet to bridge the gaping education gap in Ghana by providing practical, hands-on STEM experiences that foster lifelong learning. This conversation sheds light on the stark reality of Ghana’s education landscape, where theoretical knowledge outweighs practical skills. To address this, Techten Planet focuses on equipping students with tangible skills, enabling them to start businesses or secure employment within the tech industry. Tune in to discover Techten Planet’s commitment to their mission and their successes. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/educationafrica/support

In this episode, Kwame speaks with William Odartei, a seasoned marketer and an education advocate with over 15 years of professional experience; he is the Marketing officer at TECHAiDE, a pioneering Ghanaian EdTech company. Founded by educationist Mr. Kafui Prebbie in 2011, TECHAiDE has been harnessing ICT to improve education and support youth development, and impacted over 400,000 lives through innovative programs like ASANKA, Edulab, and Makerspace, tailored for the African context. William shares his insights on Ghana's educational landscape highlights TECHAiDE's remarkable journey, successes and missions. Tune in to learn more about this promising organization. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/educationafrica/support

In this episode, Kwame delves in a conversation with Charity Akpabey, a remarkable Digital Business Consultant at VGC Group and author of the empowering book, Tech Hustle. Charity's journey is a testament to her determination and adaptability, having transitioned from a non-tech background in economics, geography, population studies, and demography to achieving remarkable success in project management, programming, digital marketing, product management, and data science. Her book is a captivating fictional tale which follows a young girl's journey from humble beginnings to building a thriving tech business, offering a relatable and authentic perspective on overcoming challenges and staying true to one's passion. Charity shares her fascinating story of transformation, the motivations behind writing Tech Hustle, and her accomplishments along the way. Don't miss this uplifting discussion, packed with valuable insights and inspiration. Tune in now to listen! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/educationafrica/support

This episode unfolds the story of how a young boy’s ambitions were nearly derailed when he was denied entry into his dream university’s engineering program due to lack of science background. Despite facing rejection, his passion for technology and commitment to helping build IT solutions for people drove him to become an experienced UX specialist with a software engineering background. In this episode, Kwame speaks with Prince Boateng Asare, a co-founder and CEO of STEMAIDE Africa, an EdTech startup dedicated to revolutionizing education in Africa by fostering problem solving skills, creativity, analytical and critical thinking and an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit in young Africans, sharing his insights on the latest disruptions and innovations in Ghana’s education sector. Tune to learn about the Stem Aide Africa and their work including the STEM AIDE kit, STEM Aide curriculum, and the STEM Aide Lab, designed to empower young Africans with STEM-based skills. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/educationafrica/support

In this episode, Kwame speaks with Genevieve Simiyu, the Chief Operating Officer at Chalkboard Education, to discuss her inspiring journey. After taking a break from school and life, Genevieve took the leap and moved to Ghana, where she worked on digital literacy projects. This experience opened her eyes to the gaps in Ghana’s education sector, particularly the lack of relevant online courses for African learners. She noticed that despite the youth’s thirst for knowledge, they faced barriers due to poor internet connectivity and non-localized content. This sparked Genevieve's quest for a more sustainable approach to education, leading to the creation of Chalkboard Education. Join us as Genevieve shares her assessments of the disruptions and innovations in the education sector post-COVID, and dives into Chalkboard Education’s mission, vision, challenges, and successes in making digital training accessible to all. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/educationafrica/support

In this episode, Kwame Speaks with Ebenezer Kwaku Boakye-Yiadom, a young man who despite facing formidable challenges, his unwavering resilience and determination propelled him upward, earning him a series of distinguished degrees and certificates in Education. He’s now dedicated to impacting young minds through technology, and he works for the Triggers & Shappers Foundation as a Public Relations Officer. Triggers and Shappers is a non-governmental organization with a mission to promote a mentor and mentee model that emphasizes creativity, innovativeness, entrepreneurship and digital literacy for rural empowerment. Ebenezer shares his personal journey and inspiring stories of his organization’s impact since its inception, transforming lives in rural Ghanaian communities through digital literacy and entrepreneurship training. Tune in to learn about their work and discover ways to contribute to their mission. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/educationafrica/support

In this inspiring episode, Kwame speaks with Ernestina Appiah who shares her journey from being a secretary in an IT firm to becoming a successful entrepreneur and educator. She is the founder and CEO of the Ghana Code Club, an after-school program empowering children aged 5-17 with computing skills, confidence and the opportunity to shape their world. Ernestina opens up about the challenges she faced, the successes she's achieved, and the lessons she's learned along the way. She also shares her perspectives on the education space in Ghana, the importance of networking, and her advice for those looking to enter the education sector. Tune in to hear the remarkable story of Ghana Code Club, its impact, and its future plans. Get ready to be inspired by Ernestina's passion, resilience, and dedication to empowering the next generation of leaders in technology. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/educationafrica/support

In this episode, Kwame speaks with Noble Selorm Dzreh, a passionate Ghanaian educator and EdTech enthusiast. He is a licensed teacher with experience in Teacher Professional Development, and focused on promoting STEM-based innovations in education. Noble is the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) associate at the Ghana Society of Education Technology (GSET), a non-profit globally recognized leading professional association for Ghanaian educators leveraging technology to enhance learning outcomes. They also foster a thriving ecosystem for introducing various EdTech products into the education space. Noble reflects on his journey, and shares his perspectives on the state of education in Ghana and the importance of building literacy capacity of learners and educators for successful technology integration. Additionally, he discusses GSET’S mission, achievements and challenges in driving EdTech adoption in the country. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/educationafrica/support

From a young age, Dr. Nefertiti envisioned a transformative approach to education when she realized education didn’t have to be boring and tough. Her educational journey, spanning the USA and Ghana, fueled her passion for innovative teaching and learning. Driven by a desire to empower educators and revolutionize education, she pursued expertise in learning science and 21st-century teaching strategies. Dr. Nefertiti Puplampu is a renowned learning science and curriculum specialist with an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Instructional Technology, and a Ph.D. in Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies. As the learning science lead at the Institute of Advanced Teaching and Learning (IATL), she’s now leading the charge to transform education in Africa by enabling teachers to develop engaging, effective, and inclusive learning strategies that propel students’ success. In this episode, Kwame engages Dr. Nefertiti Puplampu in an intriguing conversation. She shares insights in her journey, from challenging traditional teaching methods to developing innovative approaches, and IATL's cutting-edge projects that are reshaping the future of learning. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/educationafrica/support

In this episode, Kwame speaks with Confidence Osein, a visionary woman who has carved a path in the tech space with unwavering determination. Driven by a passion to harness technology for good, she founded the Internet Safe Kids Africa, a pioneering organization dedicated to empowering digitally connected young people to navigate the cyber community safely and responsibly. Kwame engages Confidence in an enlightening conversation, exploring the organization’s milestones, challenges, and inspiring success stories. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/educationafrica/support

Africa, a continent teeming with diverse cultures and home to over 15% of the world's total population, has long been underrepresented online, with only about 2.5% of Wikipedia's content related to Africa. But Open Foundation West Africa is revolutionizing this landscape through its collaboration with Wikimedia. This episode features a conversation between Kwame and Ruby Damenshie-Brown, former Programs Manager at Open Foundation West Africa, discussing the organization’s remarkable initiatives bridging the digital divide and fostering collaboration and open knowledge sharing across Africa and beyond. From Kiwix for Schools project to the TAG Goals Digital project and WikiSkills for Liberian project, discover the groundbreaking work of OFWA in this enlightening episode. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/educationafrica/support

In this episode, Kwame speaks with education specialist, Divine Kpe, about the state of Basic education in Ghana. Divine reflects on his personal journey, from growing up in a fishing community with limited access to education to becoming a teacher and later, an education policy expert. He now works as the Senior Program Officer for the Africa Education Watch, a research and advocacy organization dedicated to reforming education in Africa. His story and expertise offer insightful analysis of the educational system, digging deep into the systemic problems, developments, elements influencing high-quality education, as well as the reforms and interventions happening in the sector. He also makes a strong case for sustainable solutions to improve access to quality education for all. Listen now and enjoy the conversation! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/educationafrica/support

What does it take to transform the lives of thousands of girls, one educational opportunity at a time? Join us as we commemorate 10 remarkable years of Girls Education Initiative Ghana's journey of transformation, empowerment, and change. In this episode, Kwame Speaks with Elizabeth Akua-Nyarko Patterson, the Founder and executive director of the GEIG. Driven by her life experiences and research, Elizabeth set out to champion a drive for quality and inclusive girls' education; creating an environment where girls, regardless of their circumstances and shortcomings, could receive quality education to enable them to become capable leaders in their communities. Through its scholarship, leadership development, mentorship, and professional advancement masterclass programs, GEIG has impacted the lives of over 20,000 young girls in the past decade.  Listen in to hear inspiring stories and insights, as well as learn about the organization's continuous efforts to change the lives of countless girls. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/educationafrica/support

In this episode, Kwame speaks with Sarah Osei, the West African Regional Lead at Instill Education, a leading teacher CPD service provider dedicated to transforming education in Africa. Sarah shares her expertise and passion for improving educational outcomes in Africa, highlighting innovative programs and initiatives that Instill Education is implementing to empower teachers and students all around the continent. From leveraging technology to fostering a culture of lifelong learning, we delve into the strategies and success stories of Instill Education’s work. Sarah’s passion and dedication to empowering educators shine through in this inspiring conversation, offering valuable insights for anyone invested in the future of education in Africa. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/educationafrica/support

In this Episode, Senyo speaks with Dr Mathero Michelle Nkalamba, a lecturer in Psychology at the University of Malawi, and a dedicated advocate for mental health in education, on the critical issue of mental well-being in schools in Africa. Michelle shares valuable insights and personal experiences, shedding light on the unique challenges faced in addressing mental health issues in the education sector. We discuss the cultural and societal factors that contribute to mental health issues, and innovative approaches to create effective support systems in African schools. Join us for an insightful conversation and discover the transformative impact of prioritizing mental health in the African education. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/educationafrica/support --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/educationafrica/support

In this episode, Kwame speaks with the Vice President of Academic City University on the use of generative AI tools in schools and educational institutions. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/educationafrica/support

In this episode, Senyo speaks with Avril, a social development professional with over two decades of experience spanning education, maternal and child health, child protection, behavioral change communication, and volunteering for development. Avril, who is currently the Country Lead for the Jacobs Foundation in Ghana, discusses how community engagement and participation are crucial to improving school effectiveness. She makes a case for enabling community stakeholders to take responsibility for school effectiveness by identifying roadblocks to effective teaching and learning. Riding on the believe that education transformation begins at the grassroots level, this approach allows communities to assess their current learning environments, envision their desired outcomes, and be informed by evidence to implement projects that drive lasting improvements in learning outcomes. She draws on examples from the Community of Excellence program supported by the Jacobs Foundation in Ghana, and reflects on the strengths and challenges of this approach. Learn more about the project here: https://jacobsfoundation.org/activity/quality-education-in-ghana/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/educationafrica/support

In this epiosde, Kwame speaks with Adeola Adefemi, a truly inspiring teacher in a public senior high school in Agege (Nigeria) who has won multiple awards for her dedication and transformative practice. She is the recipient of the African Union Continental Teacher Price, a Top 50 Global Teacher Prize Finalist, Best Teacher in Lagos State and National Best Teacher in Nigeria. Adeola highlights her journey into teaching, gives us a peek into her teaching strategies, shares moving stories of her defining moments and challenges and reflects on the future of education in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/educationafrica/support