Literacy Programs

There is a very low level of literacy in Ghana.  Only 72% of adults in Ghana are literate and 80% of those under twenty-five. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) ranked Ghana lowest among the 76 world schools it assessed in terms of the quality of education. It takes students twelve years of education to achieve what students learn in six years in more advanced countries and the rural areas are even more challenged.

 

According to UNICEF 2010 and 2019 reports on global education, over 400,000 children in Ghana are not enrolled in pre-primary education, that is 1 out of 4 children aged 4 – 5 years. Sadly, nearly 623,500 children of primary school age are still not enrolled in primary school. According to the 2010 Ghana national census, 20% of children with physical disabilities in Ghana are not attending school. 25% of the students drop out before reaching high school. The average girl in Ghana only receives four years of education because of child marriage, teen pregnancy, gender-based violence, sexual abuse, and exploitation. 

 

It is in recognition of these challenges that Asaasiam Vision International is passionate about promoting literacy in Ghana. The Literacy Program aims to promote quality education among impoverished and disabled youth in the deprived communities of Ghana. Advocating for the education of girls is a focus. Our literacy program activities include:

  •  Providing outreach to locate students not in school and connect them with educational resources.
  • Providing educational materials to the local schools and students in deprived communities.
  • Supporting teachers through high-quality training that focuses on the effects of trauma on their students and on themselves.
  • Supporting teachers in dealing with their trauma issues through online counseling.
  • Providing consultation to schools to provide trauma-informed education.
  • Providing residential care for talented students who would have to drop out of school because of their living situation.
  • Providing Information and communication technology training to teachers and their students.
  • Research the factors that contribute to low attendance and low success rates of girls and develop strategies to combat these factors.

Women's Economic Empowerment Programs

The 1st phase of this project aims at supporting over four hundred vulnerable women and their families by the end of 2024. Additionally, over six hundred vulnerable women and their families have also been targeted to receive support between 2025 and 2026

 

Rural women play a key role in supporting their households and communities in achieving food and nutrition security, generating income, and improving rural livelihoods and overall well-being. In Ghana, over 46% of businesses are owned and operated by women. This is the highest percentage in the world of women-operated businesses. However, lack of confidence, training, funding, and cultural and religious beliefs are barriers for women. There is an absence of support from men with intimidation and harassment that keep these struggling women working in businesses that do not provide consistent income. Often, they are unable to provide even one meal a day for their family. Asaasiam Vision International recognizes that rural women in Ghana play a key role in supporting their households and communities.   

 

Expanding opportunities for these women through developing income-generating businesses and careers is a major goal. Our first step is the construction of a modern Palm Oil Processing Factory, and our second step is the development of a Goat Ranch. These projects will enhance the lives of over 400 poor women and their families.  Each of these projects will have a Board comprised of women with AVI providing the land, equipment, training, and ongoing support to ensure success.  These projects will serve as models for future economic endeavors.

Projects in Progress:

  •  The Palm Oil Factory Project will provide a mechanized method to use the natural resource of the seeds of the palm tree.  When completed, it will provide consistent income for over 200 women and their families. In addition, others will earn income by cultivating and transporting the Palm plants to the factory.  Palm oil has many uses in Ghana, including the making of soap. Businesses are lined up to purchase the much-needed processed oil. We have made much progress on the Project. The structure to house the project is complete. Purchasing of the processing machines remains to be done to start the project.
  • The Goat Ranch Project is also in the development stage with six acres of land purchased, plans made to build the structure, and training of the women in managing and maintenance of the goats.  Goat meat in Ghana is much in demand, with the meat seen as a delicacy. This project will support 100 women and their families. 
  • Vocational and Technical Training Program focuses on empowering women and persons with disabilities with vocational and technical skills training. For example, tailoring, soap making, beading, and dressmaking provide women with the skills needed to survive and prosper.

Sustainable Environment Programs

Of all the continents, Africa is the most affected by climate change. The lack of education and the needed emphasis on day-to-day survival leaves protecting the environment a low priority for many vulnerable Africans.

 For many generations, natural resources have been plundered from Ghana.  Declining rain levels have left Lake Volta at substantial risk of being able to provide water resources needed for Ghana and its people. Ghana’s economy is especially affected by Lake Volta, the largest man-made lake in the world. The lake is the source of electrical power and irrigation water to much of Ghana.

 

Ghana’s rivers were once a source of usable water and fish for nutrition. The rivers are now filled with plastics and other contaminants making them unusable and a source of dangerous vermin. Reclaiming the streams and rivers is a necessity for the people of Ghana to survive. Refuge continues to overwhelm and contaminate the environment with few improvement plans.

Our environment work includes:

  • Providing sustainable environment and climate education.
  • Providing resources to clean rivers of waste and again make them safe for use and habitable for aquatics.
  • Advocating for better waste management, particularly around plastics.
  • Providing water resource management and developing strategies to provide clean drinking water.
  • Planting trees on riverbanks. 
  • Promoting clean energy.