In a shining example of community ownership, residents of Holuta of Ho West District in the Volta region of Ghana have successfully renovated their kindergarten (KG) block to meet national educational standards. Through a collective effort, the community mobilized its own resources to add vital educational drawings and visuals to the school walls, creating a more stimulating environment for its young learners. This achievement is a direct result of the education provided by GLOWA under the Ghana Strengthening Accountability Mechanisms (GSAM) Project.
The initiative began after GLOWA, funded by USAID through CARE International, highlighted a critical gap at the Holuta KG block. Despite having a new building, it lacked the educational drawings required by the Ghana Education Service (GES). Instead of waiting for external assistance, the community took charge. A community levy was introduced, with male members contributing GH₵20.00 and female members contributing GH₵10.00.
The funds collected were used to adorn the classroom walls with colorful, educational drawings that are now fully compliant with GES standards. This act of self-reliance has had a profound impact: according to Zikpuitor Dickson Komla Atutonu, a community elder, the new drawings have attracted and motivated more children to attend school, as they now love their learning environment.
Empowered by this success, the community has already embarked on a new self-help project: a new 3-unit classroom block for older learners, which will also include a computer lab. This story of the Houla KG block demonstrates how GSAM’s focus on promoting accountability and community participation can lead to tangible, life-changing improvements in basic education infrastructure.
