Bridging the Education Gap in Northern Ghana
In the heart of Langbinsi, a small community in the North East region of Ghana, lies Seeds of Grace Academy,* a low-fee private school committed to expanding education access in rural Ghana. Established in 2003 by Mohammed Suley, this school began with a simple yet profound vision: to provide accessible education to children who lacked the means to attend distant schools. Over the years, the academy has grown from serving a handful of students to nurturing the educational journey of 231 young learners today.
“When I started the school, there was nothing but just a seat for me,” recalls Mohammed Suley, reflecting on the humble beginnings of the school. “My vision was to impart knowledge and skills to my little brothers and sisters who couldn’t afford private education.”
Located far from the nearest government school—more than a mile away—Mohammed recognized the need to bridge the education gap in his underserved community. “Children were sitting idle at home, with no access to learning,” he explains. “My mission was to change that.”
Across northern Ghana, the Government struggles to meet the increasing demand for affordable, quality education. The fertility rate in the region stands at 5.2 (compared to 3.2 in Greater Accra), placing immense pressure on already overburdened schools. Compounding the issue, over 50% of women and girls in some northern districts have never attended school—a statistic that underscores the urgent need for scalable, sustainable education solutions.
Low-cost independent schools like Seeds of Grace have the potential to meet this growing demand, but they often struggle to operate with limited resources and minimal government support.
Growing from the Ground Up
Despite its noble mission and aims to help close the education access gap, the academy faced significant challenges from the outset. Mohammed visited homes in the community to encourage families to send their children to school. The response was immediate and supportive, beginning with an abandoned building offered by community leaders. “Parents were excited to bring their children,” Mohammed recalls. “They saw the value in education, even though awareness was lower compared to today.”
A shortage of school furniture meant students struggled with basic comforts for learning. “Some of them find it difficult,” Mohammed laments, pointing out the makeshift benches in use. “There were no proper writing places for them.”
Partnering to Strengthen Education Quality
In October 2023, Seeds of Grace Academy joined the Opportunity EduFinance program, gaining access to tailored support alongside 200+ other low-fee schools across northern Ghana.
Through the program, school leaders benefit from:
- Peer learning networks, where clusters of nearby schools share insights.
- Annual self-assessments, covering 18 domains of education quality, that help guide continuous improvement.
- Professional development workshops on vital topics like financial managements, child protection, and parent engagement.
“Before their support, we struggled to pay salaries and manage finances,” Mohammed admits. “Now, with structured budgeting and community involvement, we’ve seen a turnaround.”
Teacher development is also a cornerstone of the program. Schools appoint mentor teachers who attend trainings to build skills in teaching and learning, classroom management, and peer coaching.
“The teacher mentor program has been transformative.,” shares Elias Rashidatu, a teacher at the Academy. “It taught me interactive teaching methods that engage students more effectively.”
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Mohammed envisions a brighter future for Seeds of Grace Academy. “I want to see our students excel, not just academically but in life,” he shares passionately. “With improved infrastructure—more classrooms, better furniture, and maybe even a computer lab—we can further enhance their learning experience.”
The success of the Academy is not just about its founder or dedicated teachers—it’s about a community rallying behind the cause of education. Through Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings and community involvement, challenges like school fees and student absenteeism are tackled collectively.
As Mohammed reflects on the journey so far, he remains grateful for the transformative impact of partnerships and community support. “We’ve come a long way,” he concludes with a smile. “And with continued collaboration, our school will continue to grow and nurture future leaders.”
In a region where educational opportunities were once sparse, Seeds of Grace Academy stands as a beacon of what’s possible through community-driven education, strategic partnerships, and an unshakeable belief in every child’s potential.
*To protect the privacy and safety of students, the name of the school has been changed.
