The Citizen-led Actions for Educational Accountability and Responsiveness (CLEAR) project held a ceremony in Tamale to honour teachers, district assemblies, education directorates and community groups for their efforts in advancing basic education delivery across six northern Ghana districts.
The event, part of a two‑day annual learning and review session, let stakeholders assess the project’s progress, highlight ongoing challenges and reinforce citizen‑led accountability for inclusive education and better learning outcomes.
Implemented by School for Life in partnership with Youth Empowerment for Life (YEFL Ghana) and the Ghana Developing Communities Association (GDCA) and funded by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) through its Education Out Loud programme, the session drew municipal and district assembly chief executives, district planning officers, education directors, traditional authorities, Fulbe community representatives and citizen networks.
Teachers received laptops and mobile phones to support classroom work, while others were presented with citations recognising their dedication. The Director of School for Life, Hajia Wedad Sayibu, said the project had run for almost five years, offering a platform for stakeholders to evaluate interventions and identify practical ways to improve educational outcomes.
Sayibu added that the recognition exercise aimed to appreciate the contributions of district assemblies, education directorates and communities in advancing the project’s objectives. “The testimonies and experiences shared by our stakeholders at this review session further consolidate the objectives of this project, which seeks to mobilise citizen groups and build their capacities to engage education stakeholders to ensure responsiveness and accountability in addressing challenges affecting basic education delivery,” she said.
GDCA Executive Director Mr Philip Gmabi highlighted the consortium’s focus on social inclusion, noting that Fulbe children and children with disabilities still face barriers in school infrastructure, teaching materials and support services. He urged municipal, district and assembly authorities to incorporate accessibility features such as ramps, accessible toilets and learning resources for hearing and visual impairments.
Nanumba North Municipal Director of Education Mr Patrice Sitso Egbadewoe praised the project’s impact in his area, citing the provision of school desks at Bincheratanga and the renovation of a classroom block at Juanayili. He called on other NGOs and development partners to support schools with furniture, renovations and new facilities.
Looking ahead, the CLEAR project will continue to mobilise citizen groups and strengthen accountability mechanisms to ensure that every child in Ghana’s basic education system has access to quality learning environments.
