Every Child Deserves A Classroom: Addressing Ghana’s Education Gap

January 28, 2026

Prince Anthony Bart-Appiah from Ghana's Akwamu Traditional Family has created an initiative called "Every Child Deserves a Classroom" to address the severe shortage of proper school infrastructure in Ghana, where over 5,400 schools currently operate outdoors or in temporary structures. Launching in March through partnership with the Ghana Education Trust Fund, the program invites members of the African diaspora to visit Ghana, connect with their heritage, and contribute financially to building permanent schools. The initiative aims to transform what would be simple tourism into meaningful service by combining cultural reconnection with philanthropic action to improve educational access for Ghanaian children.

Who is affected

Over 5,400 schools in Ghana operating under trees or in makeshift structures
Approximately 283,000 primary-aged children in Ghana who are out of school
Approximately 135,000 lower secondary-aged children in Ghana who are out of school
Students exposed to environmental risks and inadequate teaching in open-air classrooms
Members of the African diaspora seeking to connect with their heritage
Underserved communities in Ghana lacking educational facilities
The Akwamu Traditional Family and Prince Anthony Bart-Appiah
Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund)

What action is being taken

GETFund is building modern classrooms to replace open-air structures
Ghana has allocated ₵700 million for desks from GETFund and the District Assembly Common Fund
Another ₵700 million has been set aside for new school construction in the 2025 and 2026 budgets
Ghana's 2026 education budget allocates ₵2 billion for constructing 200 junior high schools, 200 primary schools, 200 kindergartens, 400 teacher bungalows, and 400 facilities in underserved communities

Why it matters

Education serves as the foundation for progress and future leadership development in Ghana and across Africa. Without proper infrastructure, equitable access to education remains impossible, perpetuating cycles of disadvantage and limiting opportunities for hundreds of thousands of children. This initiative addresses both immediate educational needs and creates lasting connections between the African diaspora and the continent, transforming tourism into meaningful nation-building while upholding Ghana's legacy of Pan-Africanism. Investment in education infrastructure today directly impacts multiple generations, creating long-term community development and strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent worldwide.

What's next

The "Every Child Deserves a Classroom" initiative is expected to launch in March
Potential student exchange programs and academic partnerships connecting Africa to the United States and the rest of the world are being considered

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer