Top Philanthropists and NGOs Transforming Education in Ghana & Africa

by HT Mall

Oct 6, 2025

Edu Facts, Lifestyle, News Blog

Philanthropists and NGOs Transforming Education

The Knowledge Catalysts: Top Philanthropists and NGOs Transforming Education in Ghana & Africa 🌍

Education is the most powerful investment a nation can make. Across Ghana and the entire African continent, a dedicated network of global philanthropists and grassroots NGOs is not just funding schools; they are reimagining the future of learning, leadership, and employment for millions of young people.

At HT Mall, we shine a spotlight on these essential partners in progress. Discover who they are, their vital focus areas, and most importantly, how to access the resources they provide.

I. The Global Foundations: Catalyzing Systemic Change

These philanthropic giants leverage their resources to influence policy, fund large-scale scholarships, and drive technology adoption in education across multiple African nations, including Ghana.

1. The Mastercard Foundation

The Mastercard Foundation is one of the continent’s largest education funders, with a primary mission to see 30 million young people in Africa access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030. They focus heavily on scholarships, skills development, and strengthening education systems.

Focus Areas: The Scholars Program (tertiary and secondary education), skills training in key sectors like agriculture and digital technology, and promoting innovative teaching and learning (Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning).
Ghana Presence: They have a significant office and strong partnerships with several Ghanaian universities and organizations, offering thousands of scholarships and supporting youth in agriculture.
Website

2. Jacobs Foundation

The Jacobs Foundation is globally recognized for championing evidence-based education practices and strengthening education systems. They emphasize foundational learning—literacy and numeracy—at the early stages of schooling.

Focus Areas: Their Ghana Program specifically works to strengthen the education system by improving foundational skills, promoting evidence-based policies, and reducing child labor through impactful collaborations. They are key players in the SCALE (System Change Architecture for Learning Excellence) initiative in Ghana.
Access Point: Direct access is often through national partnerships (e.g., with the Ministry of Education) or through local Education Evidence Labs, which generate research. Look for news on their large-scale, government-led programs like the Ghana Accountability For Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP).
Website

II. The Dedicated NGOs: Champions on the Ground

These organizations are known for their focused, on-the-ground work, delivering direct interventions to students, teachers, and schools, particularly in marginalized communities.

1. CAMFED (Campaign for Female Education) 👧

CAMFED is a transformative, grassroots-led movement dedicated to keeping marginalized girls in school and empowering young women to become leaders in their communities. They have directly supported over 7.8 million children since 1993, with a significant presence in Ghana.

Impact Model: They provide targeted financial support (fees, uniforms, books), psycho-social support through Teacher Mentors, and skills training for graduates through the CAMFED Association.
How to Access Support in Ghana: CAMFED identifies and supports the most vulnerable children in their partner communities, primarily through existing school structures and local government collaboration.
- Contact CAMFED Ghana: If your community or school is already partnered, contact the district education office or the school’s Teacher Mentor. For general enquiries, use the email below.
- Email (Ghana Office): ghana@camfed.org
Website

2. Sabre Education 🧩

Focused purely on early childhood development (ECD) in Ghana, Sabre is a Ghanaian-based charity transforming kindergarten education. They advocate for and train teachers in a play-based, child-centered approach.

Focus Areas: Training teachers and headteachers in high-quality, play-based learning and transforming learning environments to facilitate this approach. They aim to support Ghana in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4.2 for quality early childhood education.
Access Point: Sabre partners directly with the Ghana Education Service (GES) to implement training programs in specific regions, such as the Eastern Region. Schools and educators can look for opportunities to enroll in their Teacher Training programs as announced by the GES.
Website

3. African Gifted Foundation (African Science Academy) 🔬

This foundation addresses the critical gender imbalance in STEM by providing a full scholarship, world-class pre-university education for academically gifted young women from across Africa with a passion for Maths and Science. The African Science Academy is located in Ghana.

Focus Areas: Intensive, internationally accredited STEM education for high-achieving girls. They also run Maths Master Classes across Ghana to improve the overall quality of secondary school math teaching.
How to Access: The African Science Academy runs annual application cycles for girls who have completed WASSCE/IGCSE or equivalent and demonstrate exceptional academic promise in Maths and Science. Details are strictly published on their website.
Website

4. Hope for Education Ghana

A non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the gifted but disadvantaged child in Ghana by providing financial support for advanced education.

Focus Areas: Offering scholarships and financial support to highly capable students who lack the means to continue their studies beyond basic levels, particularly in regions like Brong Ahafo.
How to Access: Individuals, families, or schools on behalf of students can usually apply directly to the NGO for scholarship support. Check their website for current application windows and eligibility criteria.
Website:

III. How to Successfully Access Support from these NGOs

While these organizations offer immense support, their programs are targeted. Knowing how they operate is crucial for accessing their resources.

Organization Type	Target Beneficiaries	Best Access Strategy	Key Advice
Major Foundations (e.g., Mastercard, Gates)	Large partner organizations (Universities, Ministries, NGOs).	Check their websites for partner NGOs operating in Ghana and Africa, then apply through the partner.	Direct funding for individuals is rare; the focus is on their scholarship programs run by universities.
Direct NGOs (e.g., CAMFED, Sabre)	Specific communities, students in partner schools, or teachers in partner districts.	Contact the local Ghana office (email is best) or inquire at the District Education Office if your community falls within their operational zone.	NEVER pay an application fee. All credible organizations select based on merit and need, not payment.
Academy/Specialized (e.g., African Gifted Foundation)	High-achieving individuals who meet precise academic criteria.	Apply during the published annual application cycle. Academic excellence and passion for the subject are mandatory.	Ensure your academic records are perfectly organized and verifiable.

The CAMFED Ghana Contact Point

For specific inquiries regarding CAMFED’s programs in Ghana, use their official contact details:

CAMFED Ghana Office Address: No. 17 Abotsi Street, East Legon, Accra.
Phone (Accra): +233 (0)55 696 0228
Email (Ghana): ghana@camfed.org

By recognizing and engaging with these visionary philanthropists and dedicated NGOs, we can collectively accelerate educational progress and ensure a brighter future for the youth of Ghana and Africa. Remember to follow them on social media for the latest news on program intakes!