Building Bridges and Conquering Peaks: Unleashing the Power of Education

Imagine being told that your house would collapse because the foundation is flawed; you would need to demolish it. No matter how beautiful or well-furnished it is, a cracking foundation can lead to disaster.

Having traveled to many rural areas to promote leadership and education, it is crucial for our country to engage in honest conversations about what education truly means and how we can make it more accessible and equitable.

During my postgraduate studies in India, I focused mainly on education. I examined the vulnerabilities of the built environment and addressed a critical issue: the difficulties faced by women working on construction sites in educating their children. These women were primarily migrant construction workers who struggled with settlement due to the temporary nature of their work and housing. I found it fulfilling to tackle the challenge of creating a mobile learning space for their children, allowing volunteers from a nearby school to engage with them while parents worked, thus keeping the children safe from construction site hazards. My goal was to make education = accessible to these families.

This strong drive remains with me today, rooted in the belief that basic education is non-negotiable for any country to thrive and prosper.

According to the Africa Education Watch report (2025) on basic education infrastructure and progress, approximately 1 million children aged 4-18 are out of school in Ghana. Out of this number, 400,000 are dropouts—children who were enrolled but left school. The remaining 600,000 have never attended school.

This alarming statistic is supported by a 2025 World Bank Policy Note, which estimates that 1.2 million children are out of school in Ghana overall (covering school-age children roughly from basic education levels and beyond). Of these, 78% have never attended school, while 22%, equating to around 264,000, are primarily dropouts or sporadic attendees.

The situation is even more dire in rural areas. In 2025, I traveled to various communities in the Volta Region, specifically the North Tongu District, for outreach efforts. The state of the classrooms and the conditions faced by teachers were heartbreaking. Challenges included crossing rivers with children to reach other towns for exams, children being engaged in farming during learning periods, and inadequate infrastructure, such as poorly maintained boards, tables, and chairs. I believe these issues are prevalent across many areas of the country.

While we often admire the quality of education in Western countries, we overlook the fact that their teachers were building bridges to empower future generations. Despite our desire for change, there are critical actions we must take to drive progress in Ghana and across Africa.

1.Make Basic Education a Vital Part of National Strategy
The government, alongside various stakeholders in the education sector, must establish a robust framework that prioritizes infrastructure development, particularly in rural areas. As discussions around the transformative power of AI gain momentum, it is essential to recognize that many technological advancements are rooted in strong educational foundations. Countries that have invested in quality basic education have attracted exceptional educators to share their knowledge across all regions. Moreover, it’s imperative to inspire outstanding students to pursue careers in education, whether in teacher training colleges or through research pathways that enhance existing knowledge. The idea that iron sharpens iron; holds true; nurturing bright minds can lead to the development of even more brilliant individuals. Thus, the government’s role in establishing an attractive and supportive cycle for talent development is crucial. As the world rapidly evolves, with AI poised to revolutionize industries, we must face the reality that many companies could soon operate without traditional concerns like employee benefits or labor disputes. Automation will take center
stage, with low-cost labor opportunities shifting to various regions, including parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe. Consequently, there is an urgent need to elevate basic education as a priority to ensure that we do not fall behind amid this sweeping transformation. Building foundational infrastructures that support lifelong learning is essential for our progress as a nation and as a continent.

2. Teachers Must Have Improved Conditions of Service
Transforming education is not merely about constructing fancy schools; it fundamentally revolves around teachers. Regardless of our economic challenges, we cannot allow our educators to live in poverty. Currently, the average national salary for teachers ranges from GHC 2,500 to GHC 2,600 per month, with the lower end at GHC 1,000 and the higher end reaching GHC 6,000. Unfortunately, the teaching profession is often perceived as one of the least preferred career paths. Surveys of pre-service and prospective teachers—those currently in training colleges—indicate that many enter the profession as a fallback option rather than as a first choice. A district-level survey, as cited in a 2024 ResearchGate publication, revealed that only 36% of these teachers planned to stay in the profession long-term, suggesting that a significant 64% are contemplating leaving. In today's world view, education is considered capital-intensive, demanding considerable investment to yield substantial returns. If the institutions responsible for educating future generations cannot offer competitive salaries to their teachers, how can we expect children to aspire to become educators and shape the future in 20 to 30 years? There must be an urgent priority to improve the conditions of service for teachers. They are the backbone of society, and any nation that seeks a brighter future must show respect and support for its educators. Their well-being directly affects the quality of education and, ultimately, the development of the country.

3. Focusing More on Human Resources Rather Than Natural Resources
There exists a primitive belief that countries must possess natural resources to achieve wealth. While there is a role for these resources in development, a critical question arises when we consider nations that lack them: what can we do to develop our people into innovative thinkers and creators? Today, we witness numerous countries with minimal or no natural resources thriving significantly, contrasting sharply with the experience of many African nations. The profits generated from natural resources should ideally fuel investment, but the pressing question remains: investment in what? The most valuable investment we can make is in our people.
This investment begins with elevating the education levels of every Ghanaian, especially those from low-income backgrounds, enabling them to aspire to become PhDs, researchers, and builders who contribute to our nation's advancement. In just three decades, the striking buildings and sprawling apartments dotting our cities will age and decay. However, investing in human potential can help us
push boundaries and compete on a global scale. Consider the rapid evolution of technology; its lifespan continues to shorten daily. In the past, substantial time was required between novel inventions, but now innovation seems to emerge almost continuously. Countries cannot afford to sit idle, waiting for others to develop new technologies. Instead, we must invest in education that fosters a love for learning among children in basic schools, empowering them to take initiative and stay ahead of the curve. To transition our country into a human capital superpower, we need to pay our teachers well and elevate the teaching profession to a place of honor. This will instill hope in our society. If we desire to build a nation that will be enviable in 50 to 100 years, we must prioritize education. The impending
shift brought by AI will redefine our landscapes, but real breakthroughs will occur when we move from producing passive consumers to nurturing creators of value who can redirect the fortunes of our country.

Africa boasts the highest youth population globally, yet what good is that potential if the majority lack access to basic education? Mere numbers will not suffice. It is the ability of our youth to produce value that transforms statistics into strength. Ultimately, the best investment remains in our people. By cultivating quality individuals, we can accelerate growth and prosperity as a nation and enrich the continent as a whole. Basic education is still the goldmine that holds the key to our future.

the writer is a founder of Nalike Africa. He is also a published author, having written ‘Life Beyond the Ordinary’ and ‘Minerals for the Mind’. As a dedicated start-up mentor and board advisor, he is committed to empowering individuals and organizations to achieve their potential. Tsifodze is an alumnus of Anant National University in India and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. Additionally, he furthered his studies at Harvard Business School, where he completed a Certificate Course in Power and Influence for Positive Impact. For inquiries, you can reach him at: tsifodzekwadzo@gmail.com

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