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The Role of NGOs in Ghana’s Education Sector

ByMahcap

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have gained global recognition for their humanitarian services and role as catalysts for change and economic transformation1. NGOs are non-profit, voluntary, and non-partisan social organizations that address societal needs and advance citizens’ civil, economic, social, and cultural rights2. They often operate at the grassroots level.

Types of NGOs

At present, there are more than 50,000 different NGOs in developing countries3. Parker (2003) categorized NGOs into operational/developmental, advocacy and awareness, and hybrid4.

Operational or Development NGOs: Developmental NGOs work with mostly developing countries to provide basic social services, relieve suffering, promote the interests of the poor, undertake community development and protect the environment5. These NGOs focus on implementing projects and delivering services directly to communities. Their activities vary widely depending on their mission but generally include humanitarian aid, environmental conservation, development projects, health, education, advocacy and awareness. 

Advocacy and awareness NGOs: Advocacy and awareness NGOs focus on promoting specific causes by using information strategically to change and influence policies that affect the lives of marginalized groups. They also raise public consciousness and advocate for the rights and needs of particular groups6. Their main activities include lobbying, public awareness campaigns, research and publications, grassroots mobilization, coalition building, monitoring and accountability, training, and capacity building7.

Hybrid NGOs:  As their name suggests, hybrid NGOs are involved in both delivering specific services or development support directly to communities and engaging in advocacy to influence policies related to their cause.

Role of NGOs in Africa

In many countries, NGOs are increasingly seen as effective vehicles for bringing social and economic transformation8. In Africa, for instance, NGOs have played prominent roles in socio-economic development. Some of these developments include building and resourcing schools and hospitals, providing good drinking water, and developing the skills of the youth to create employment opportunities9.

Role of NGOs in the Education Sector in Ghana

NGOs have traditionally stepped in to offer services and carry out activities related to basic education in areas where governments either lack the capacity or do not prioritize education. Their role in Africa gained prominence during the structural adjustment programs of the late 1980s and early 1990s10. Specifically, NGOs perform the following functions within the education sector.

Build human and institutional capacity: To strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of public educational officials and institutions, NGOs empower them by building their knowledge, skills, attitudes, and experience to achieve educational goals and outcomes11. In Ghana, NGOs such as Lively Minds, Sabre Education, and Right to Play notably empower early learning teachers with play-based learning skills to improve the school readiness of young learners. Additionally, training parents to support the learning process helps to improve and strengthen parent-teacher relationships, leading to better learning outcomes.

Pedagogic innovation and improved in-service teacher training: Some NGOs are involved in curriculum development for teacher training schools and advocate for innovative teaching methods to enhance reading and writing skills among early learners and primary school students. For example, in Ghana, the NGO Right to Play partnered with the University of Education, Winneba, to integrate play-based learning into pre-service teacher training. They also established a center of excellence to connect the university’s departments, teacher training colleges, and selected primary schools12.

Provision of educational infrastructure: Also, some NGOs build schools and furnish the classrooms with learning and play materials. For example, in Ghana, Sabre Education has built standard kindergarten classrooms and innovative playgrounds for early learners in their operating regions13. Also, Lively Minds has partnered with the Ghana government to provide play and learning games for early learners in eight regions in Ghana. 

Provision of Scholarships and Sponsorships to Students: NGOs such as CAMFED and the MasterCard Foundation in Ghana have enabled many young people to access secondary and tertiary education by sponsoring their studies and providing financial support, learning materials, and mentorship14.

Mainstreaming and policy participation: Many NGOs recognize that grassroots engagement alone may not lead to sustainable policy changes. As a result, they are increasingly focusing on integrating their interventions into government policies to ensure long-term impact. For example, Lively Minds Ghana successfully incorporated their play-based learning approach into the community engagement section of Ghana’s early childhood education policy10. NGOs such as Save the Children, Action Aid, and Care International have been active members of technical teams involved in drafting and reviewing education policies11. Additionally, UNICEF and USAID have played crucial roles in supporting local NGOs in the education sector and funding policy engagement processes. This shift towards national-level engagement aims to embed NGO-driven practices into the mainstream education system for greater sustainability.

Monitoring and Evaluating Government Educational Activities: Some NGOs take on a watchdog role by tracking budgets, monitoring resource allocation and use, and ensuring government compliance with established goals and values. This involves scrutinizing the effectiveness of educational programs, holding authorities accountable, and advocating for transparency and accountability in the education sector15.

Therefore, NGOs play a crucial role in complementing government efforts in the education sector in Ghana. 

By: Huzeima Mahamadu

References

  1. Osiobe, E. U., Osiobe, S. A., & Olushola, P. A. (2019). The role of non-governmental organizations in community economic development: Using a system dynamic approach. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 10(20), 1–11 ↩︎
  2. Rani, K., Niranjan, D. P. S., & Teotia, D. A. (2023). Role Of Ngos In Empowerment Of Underprivileged Youths. ↩︎
  3. Jamali, D. (2003). NGOs in development: Opportunities and challenges.  ↩︎
  4. Osei, E. K. (2017). Managing humanitarian relief organizations with limited resources in Ghana [PhD Thesis, Walden University].  ↩︎
  5. Williams, A. (1990). A growing role for NGOs in development. Finance and Development, 27(4), 31–33. ↩︎
  6. Barrack, R. (2009). The Use of Collaboration in Nongovernmental Organization Public Policy Advocacy. https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/30/ ↩︎
  7. Hearn, J. (2007). African NGOs: The New Compradors? Development and Change, 38(6), 1095–1110. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7660.2007.00447.x ↩︎
  8. Tek, N. D. (2002). The role of Non-Governmental Organisations in the improvement of livelihood in Nepal. Tampere University Press.  ↩︎
  9. orkuor, D., & Korah, A. (2022). NGOs and sustainable rural development: Experience from Upper West Region of Ghana. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 25, 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-02057-w ↩︎
  10. Ulleberg, I. (2009). The role and impact of NGOs in capacity development. From Replacing the State to Reinvigorating Education. Paris: International Institute for Educational Planning UNESCO.  ↩︎
  11. Makoba, J. W. (2002). Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and third world development: An alternative approach to development. Journal of Third World Studies, 19(1), 53–63. ↩︎
  12. https://righttoplay.com ↩︎
  13.  https://sabre.education/programmes/building-playful-schools/ ↩︎
  14. https://camfed.org ↩︎
  15. Forkuor, D., & Agyemang, S. (2018). Fighting Urban Poverty in Ghana: The Role of Non-governmental Organizations. Urban Forum, 29(2), 127–145. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12132-018-9331-x ↩︎