Ghana stands at a pivotal moment in its educational journey, fueled by the potential of Edtech. While enthusiasm and initial steps are promi...
Ghana stands at a pivotal moment in its educational journey, fueled by the potential of Edtech. While enthusiasm and initial steps are promising, converting this momentum into tangible and lasting improvements in learning outcomes requires a concerted and coordinated effort from policymakers, investors, and educators alike.
The vision is clear: to leverage Edtech to cultivate a generation of Ghanaians who are not only capable and competent but also audacious, empathetic, and deeply patriotic. This requires a strategic and multifaceted approach that addresses the current challenges and unlocks the full potential of technology in education.
The Current Landscape
Ghana's digital penetration is significant and expanding rapidly. With approximately 24.3 million internet users at the start of 2025, representing roughly 70% of the population, primarily accessing the internet via mobile devices, Edtech has an extensive potential reach.
The government has demonstrated its commitment through ambitious initiatives such as the Smart Schools Project, which aims to provide one tablet per senior high school student – a commitment of approximately 1.3 million tablets. While this is a commendable step, it's crucial to recognize that devices alone are insufficient to guarantee improved learning outcomes. Effective integration requires well-trained teachers, reliable power sources, and access to locally relevant and engaging content.
Furthermore, the African tech ecosystem is experiencing a resurgence in investment. In 2024, the continent attracted US$3.2 billion in tech funding. This capital can be strategically channeled to support the growth of homegrown Edtech solutions, tailored to the specific needs and contexts of Ghanaian learners.
A Three-Pronged Partnership
Successful Edtech implementation hinges on a collaborative partnership between policymakers, investors, and educators. Each stakeholder has a critical role to play, and coordinated action is essential to achieve meaningful and sustainable impact.
1. Policymakers: Setting the Stage for Success
Policymakers must move beyond isolated initiatives and establish robust and sustainable systems that support Edtech integration. This includes:
-
Establishing clear Edtech procurement standards: These standards should prioritize curriculum alignment, comprehensive device maintenance plans, and ongoing teacher support. When procuring technology, ministries should prioritize local content and ensure long-term warranties.
-
Investing in essential infrastructure: This includes providing reliable power sources, such as solar solutions, enhancing school connectivity, and expanding community ICT centers. These centers can serve as vital learning hubs, providing access to technology and training for students and teachers. The Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC)'s Community Information Centres (CICs), which already number in the hundreds, can be leveraged and expanded to serve this purpose.
-
Enshrining data protection and ethical guidelines: Establishing clear guidelines for the collection, storage, and use of student data is crucial to building trust among families and schools, encouraging the adoption of digital tools.
By establishing a supportive regulatory environment that prioritizes learning outcomes over superficial metrics, policymakers can incentivize the development and adoption of effective Edtech solutions.
2. Investors: Funding for Impact
Investors must adopt a long-term perspective, recognizing Edtech as an investment with both social and financial returns. This includes:
-
Supporting local founders and solutions: Investing in local teams who understand the Ghanaian curriculum, languages, and low-connectivity realities is essential. These teams are best positioned to develop products that are relevant, accessible, and effective for Ghanaian learners.
-
Utilizing blended finance models: Combining public or philanthropic seed funding with private capital can de-risk pilot projects and create sustainable business models. The recent influx of tech investment into Africa presents an opportunity to deploy capital strategically to maximize educational impact.
-
Prioritizing learning outcomes: Funders should demand evidence of impact, such as learning gains, student retention, and teacher adoption rates, before scaling Edtech solutions.
By focusing on measurable outcomes, investors can drive the market away from vanity metrics and towards solutions that deliver real benefits for students.
3. Educators: Leading the Transformation
Teachers, headteachers, and teacher-training institutions must be at the forefront of classroom transformation. This includes:
-
Prioritizing practical teacher training: Moving beyond single workshops to provide ongoing coaching, communities of practice, and micro-credentials that recognize digital pedagogy is crucial. Teachers must feel confident in using digital tools and interpreting learner data.
-
Co-creating content with local Edtech teams: Collaborating with local Edtech developers to create lessons that reflect Ghanaian contexts and exam requirements is essential. Local relevance is a key driver of adoption.
-
Using data for support, not sanctions: Dashboards should be used to identify learners who need additional support and to allocate resources accordingly. They should not be used to punish teachers based on unrealistic targets.
When teachers are empowered to lead the way, technology can be effectively integrated into the classroom to enhance teaching and learning.
Practical Actions for Immediate Implementation
To jumpstart the Edtech revolution in Ghana, the following practical actions should be implemented immediately:
-
Create an Edtech "fast lane" for pilots: Establish a dedicated unit within the Ministry of Education to vet pilot projects, facilitate access to public schools for testing, and create clear procurement pathways for successful solutions. This will reduce the risk associated with piloting new technologies and provide clear market signals for investors and startups.
-
Launch regional Edtech Hubs using GIFEC’s CICs: Transform community ICT centers into teacher training and content distribution hubs. These hubs can be equipped with solar power, local servers, and facilities for weekend coding clubs. Leveraging GIFEC’s existing infrastructure provides a practical and cost-effective approach to expanding access to Edtech resources.
-
Negotiate educational data bundles with telecommunications companies: Secure zero-rated or heavily subsidized access to approved learning platforms. This will significantly increase usage among low-income learners and reduce operating costs for Edtech startups.
These actions, while relatively small in policy terms, can have a significant impact when implemented collectively.
Measuring What Matters
To ensure accountability and drive continuous improvement, the following metrics should be mandated by funders and policymakers:
-
Learning gains: Focus on improvements in reading, numeracy, and other key skills, rather than simply tracking logins or usage statistics.
-
Teacher adoption rates and quality of lesson integration: Assess how effectively teachers are using technology to enhance their teaching practices.
-
Inclusion metrics: Track rural reach, girls’ participation, and the inclusion of learners with disabilities.
-
Sustainability indicators: Monitor local revenue generation, device maintenance, and replacement plans.
Independent evaluations and transparent data sharing are essential for building better policies and attracting further investment.
Education as Nation-Building
Ultimately, the goal of education is to shape citizens who are capable, competent, audacious, empathetic, and patriotic. Edtech should be evaluated not only based on its impact on GDP or startup valuations but also on its ability to nurture these qualities.
Imagine a future where learners use digital tools to develop solutions to local challenges, such as apps for affordable healthcare referrals, platforms for smallholder market prices, or local content that promotes civic responsibility. This is education serving the nation.
A Pledge for the Future
Policymakers, investors, and educators must commit to the following pledges:
- Prioritize power and teachers, not just devices.
- Require evidence of learning before scaling.
- Prioritize local content and local founders.
- Protect student data and learner dignity.
- Measure equity: if it benefits only Accra, it’s not success.
By taking these steps, Ghana can transform its current momentum into a thriving Edtech ecosystem that delivers real learning and fuels national development. The headteacher with the tablets in boxes should not have to wait any longer. The future of Ghana's learners is a shared responsibility, and it is time to act accordingly.
COMMENTS