In this episode, Aml speaks with Evans Sinkari, Country Director of Right to Play Ghana, an international NGO dedicated to educating, protecting, and empowering children through the power of play. This conversation addresses the key barriers to children's access to quality education in Ghana, the importance of child-centered learning, and how collaboration among educators, families, and community stakeholders can create lasting change. Evans also shares inspiring stories from the field and gives...
May 20, 2026•33 min•Season 3Ep. 77
In this episode, Senyo speaks with education economist and researcher Dr. Peter Anti-Partey on the realities of education financing in Ghana and across Africa. Far from a simple case of "no money," Dr. Anti-Partey reveals how political interests, inefficient spending, and a disregard for data-driven equity are stalling educational progress. The episode further examines the role of citizens and civil society in demanding long-term reforms and why sustainable educational development requires leade...
May 03, 2026•46 min•Season 3Ep. 76
In this episode, Kwame speaks with Prof. Ulrich Paquet, Research Scientist at Google DeepMind and Director of AI at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), and Sepehr Hejazi Moghadam, Senior Programme Manager at Google.org and lead of the Science Ecosystem portfolio, to unpack the launch of a freely accessible AI curriculum. Developed from the ground up with African educators to include culturally relevant cases, the programme is specifically designed to close the technical skill...
Apr 15, 2026•30 min•Season 3Ep. 75
In this episode, Aml speaks with Jane Clayson Johnson and Brian Ashton, president of BYU Pathway Worldwide, together with a Ghanaian student, Benjamin Kwesi Ahialorxo, whose life has been directly transformed by the program. BYU Pathway's efforts have provided thousands of students in Africa with greater access to higher education, making it more affordable and closely linked to real opportunities for growth and employment. The conversation weaves through the vision behind the program, how it su...
Mar 30, 2026•36 min
In this episode, Senyo speaks with Evelyne Keomian-Wood, founder of the Karat School Project. Evelyne’s early experiences with hunger, poverty, and limited access to learning shaped her belief that education can break cycles of poverty, a belief that has led her to establish the Karat School Project. The conversation highlights the key barriers many children still face in accessing education, particularly in communities where deeply rooted beliefs often see girls being prepared for marriage and ...
Mar 16, 2026•37 min•Season 3Ep. 73
Imagine a child in a classroom, bright, curious, and full of ideas. But every time words dance on the page, they twist into shapes that don’t make sense. The teacher thinks the child isn’t trying hard enough, and report cards carry painful labels that stick for years. Yet beneath all that, the child isn’t slow. The child isn’t incapable. The child simply learns differently. In this episode, Aml speaks with Rosaline Abigail Kyere-Nartey, founder and executive director of the Africa Dyslexia Organ...
Mar 02, 2026•23 min•Season 3Ep. 71
In this episode, Senyo speaks with Mr. Modern Karema, the Uganda Country Director for STiR Education, about the organization’s mission to help teachers thrive and transform learning outcomes. The conversation explores STiR Education’s efforts in strengthening education systems by building the capacity of government structures rather than creating parallel ones and helping school leaders, district offices, and national agencies work together more effectively. A central focus of the conversation i...
Nov 17, 2025•36 min•Season 3Ep. 71
In this episode, Senyo speaks with Lazarus Muthenya, Programmes Manager at Edutab Africa, a Kenyan EdTech organization making digital learning accessible to offline communities across Kenya and beyond. Lazarus takes us inside Edutab’s mission and the pillars that drive their work: Digital Learning Solutions, Teacher Professional Development, STEAM education, and the African Children’s Stories podcast which promotes literacy and fosters a culture of learning across Africa. He discusses the critic...
Oct 27, 2025•36 min•Season 3Ep. 70
Education technology (EdTech) is widely recognized for its potential to strengthen access, improve quality, and bridge gaps in Africa’s education systems. Yet, the expectations of EdTech have not always matched the reality on the ground. Uncertainties linger around access, sustainability, equity, and whether technology is truly transforming learning outcomes for African students. In this episode, Senyo speaks with John Kimotho, Head of Office for Africa at the Spix Foundation, EdTech consultant ...
Oct 06, 2025•37 min•Season 3Ep. 69
What began as a simple high school project has, over the past two decades, grown into a transformative force for education, health, and community development. Julie-Anne and three friends launched the African Education Program (AEP) with nothing more than books, computers, and a desire to make a meaningful connection with disadvantaged youth in Kafue, Zambia. Over the years, their work has been shaped by the voices and challenges of young people and the community, gradually evolving into an orga...
Aug 25, 2025•37 min•Season 3Ep. 68
In this episode, we shine a spotlight on an upcoming event transforming how African educators connect, collaborate, and champion education rooted in African realities- The AfricanISE Virtual Conference . Created to fill the gap for a dedicated space centering African voices and issues in education, this gathering aims to inspire a renewed sense of urgency and purpose among educators across the continent. Senyo speaks with Kwame Sarfo-Mensah, founder of Identity Talk Consulting, whose work rests ...
Aug 10, 2025•49 min
In this episode, Senyo speaks with Lawrence Boakye Dankwah, Head of Education Programs at EduSpots, an organization reshaping education through a community-led model that centers local leadership and ownership. EduSpots began with the simple idea of “reading spots” and has since evolved into a dynamic network of over 50 community owned learning spaces, known as “Spots,” spread across Ghana and beyond. At the heart of EduSpots’ approach is a belief in the power of communities to drive their own c...
Jul 30, 2025•35 min•Season 3Ep. 66
“If you educate a woman, you educate a whole nation.” - Dr. James Kwegyir Aggrey Girls’ education remains one of the most powerful tools for transforming societies across Africa. Educated girls are more likely to become empowered women who uplift their families, communities, and nations. Yet, barriers such as poverty, gender norms, and disability continue to limit access for many girls across the continent. From rural villages to urban centers, grassroots organizations and advocates are working ...
Jul 13, 2025•36 min
While many African classrooms continue to center instruction around textbooks and rigid curriculums, we continue to ask: Are we truly equipping our learners with the skills, mindset, and adaptability needed to thrive in a rapidly changing, tech-driven world? As the demands of the 21st century evolve, so too must our approach to learning. This episode explores the urgent need to move beyond rote learning and reimagine education through the lenses of context, identity, and innovation. In this epis...
Jun 29, 2025•57 min•Season 3Ep. 64
In this episode, Kwame speaks with Dr. Vida Awinime Bugri, a dedicated researcher and passionate advocate for gender equity in STEM education. With teaching experience in France and a strong commitment to social justice, she has seen firsthand the systemic challenges women face in STEM fields. This insight inspired her to establish Eduvision, an NGO focused on empowering, mentoring, and training women in STEM across Ghana. In this conversation, Vida discusses her research on ‘The Impact of STEM ...
Jun 18, 2025•51 min•Season 3Ep. 61
Could the solutions to learning crisis already exist within education systems? In this episode, Aml speaks with Jessica Bergmann, an Education Research Specialist at UNICEF Innocenti, on the Data Must Speak positive deviance research. For the past 3 years, Jessica has been supporting this initiative, which empowers school actors as change agents and aims to harness existing data and local solutions to improve learning outcomes. The DMS positive deviance research is being implemented in 15 countr...
Jun 16, 2025•34 min•Season 3Ep. 63
Education research in Africa has long been a crucial aspect of shaping the continent’s future. However, the dominance of Western-led research initiatives has often led to a lack of locally relevant evidence to inform policies and practices. In this episode, Senyo speaks with Dr. Lucy Wakiaga, Associate Research Scientist at African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC). Dr. Wakiaga shares her insights on the importance of locally led research in enhancing education outcomes in Africa, em...
May 11, 2025•39 min•Season 3Ep. 62
Data is the backbone of informed decision-making in education; and in today's data-driven world, it is more crucial than ever for educators to stay ahead of the curve and leverage data to drive student success. Building on this imperative, the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) launched the Tackling Education and Skills Data Challenge in Africa project, a 5-year initiative aimed at supporting 30 African countries to produce and use quality data on education and skills ...
Apr 15, 2025•39 min•Season 3Ep. 60
The strategic integration of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education have shown promising results globally. But what are the implications, opportunities, and challenges of these emerging fields in African educational contexts, and how can AI be harnessed in the continent’s education system? In this episode, Kwame explores these questions with Emmanuel Mawuli Kanati, a renowned Data Specialist and Researcher. Emmanuel shares his insights on the pioneering research applications ...
Mar 30, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 59
Kids Club Kampala is a children's charity organization founded in 2009 by three friends, Olivia, Sam, and Corrie. The organization improves livelihoods of children and families in Kampala's slum areas through three main programs: education, child protection, and family strengthening.In this episode, Aml speaks Olivia Barker White, Co-Founder and CEO, who shares the inspiring story behind Kids Club Kampala and provides insight into the organization's programs. Tune in to learn about the life-chan...
Mar 16, 2025•39 min
In this episode, Senyo Speaks with Esther Tawiah, Director of the Gender Centre for Empowering Developments, as they delve into the critical topic of Decolonizing Higher Education in Africa. Esther shares her insights on the need to break free from imposed educational systems and create a path that reflects African value and knowledge. The episode also explores the delicate balance between embracing modernity and preserving traditional ways of knowing. Tune in to listen.
Mar 05, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 57
Can education make a meaningful contribution to peacebuilding efforts? Is education enough to achieve a lasting peace, or are other factors also necessary? In this episode, Senyo speaks with Timothy Dziedzom Amaglo-Mensah, research assistant at the University of Glasgow and co-host on PeaceEd Chat about his research on “The Purposes of Education in Peacebuilding: Views of Local Peace Actors in Diverse (post-) Conflict Societies. Timothy elaborates on the distinct ways in which education can fost...
Feb 16, 2025•38 min•Season 3Ep. 56
Education is a powerful tool for transformation in Africa, but the sector faces a critical challenge: a legacy of colonialism that has shaped the continent’s higher education systems. As the continent strives to reclaim its cultural identity and address its unique challenges, the need to decolonize higher education has become increasingly urgent. But what does this mean in practice?In this episode, Senyo speaks with Pauline Essah, Chief Impact Officer at Education Sub-Saharan Africa (ESSA), to e...
Feb 02, 2025•45 min•Season 3Ep. 55
Inspiring teachers is a leading organization committed toempowering teachers with exceptional support, enabling them to deliver high-quality lessons and enhance student learning outcomes. Through evidence-based approaches, they have positively impacted thousands of teachers across Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on foundational literacy. Their teacher development programs have spanned multiple countries including Uganda, Zambia, and Ghana. In this episode, Aml speaks with Simon Graffy, Co-Found...
Jan 12, 2025•47 min•Season 3Ep. 54
For 20 years, Sabre Education has championed quality of education in Ghana, providing children with the best possible early childhood education through comprehensive teacher training, transforming school learning environments, and advocacy. In this episode, Senyo speaks with Robert Quansah, Senior ECE Technical Manager at Sabre Education to evaluate the organization’s Fast track transformation teacher training program aimed to build capacity of teachers to improve teaching practices and learning...
Dec 11, 2024•44 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Artificial intelligence has brought significant transformation worldwide, but beneath the surface, a concerning bias exists. AI systems are largely designed with a Western perspective, overlooking the rich cultural heritage and knowledge of indigenous communities, especially across the Sub-Saharan region. This raises a critical question: How can we create a more inclusive system that harmonizes Western and indigenous knowledge?In this episode, Senyo speaks with Dr. Yaw Ofosu Asare, delving into ...
Nov 24, 2024•44 min
In today's rapidly evolving technological terrain, research is undergoing a transformative shift. Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the research process, streamlining workflows, and enhancing outcomes. In this episode, Kwame speaks with Dr. Philip Adu, a renowned researcher and founder of Research Methods Consulting, as he addresses key research challenges, and shares expert insights on navigating research complexities, leveraging AI, and ensuring research quality....
Nov 10, 2024•30 min•Season 3Ep. 51
For decades, poverty, abuse, and abandonment have driven a growing number of African children to live on the streets. Since 2008, Street Child has worked tirelessly to ensure these vulnerable children are safely enrolled in schools and receiving an education. With remarkable success, they've transformed over 250,000 lives in Sierra Leone alone, providing access to quality basic education through rigorous research and innovative approaches.In this episode, Aml speaks with Kelfa Kargbo, CountryDir...
Oct 27, 2024•30 min•Season 3Ep. 50
As the world increasingly shift towards digitaltransformation, Heather Beem, CEO and Founder of Practical Education Network (PEN) conducted research to assess the feasibility, effectiveness and impact of transitioning STEM teacher training in Ghana from traditional in-person to fully online. In this Episode, Kwame speaks with Heather to explore the key findings of the research and discuss effective strategies to fostering STEM engagement, particularly among young learners. Read the full publicat...
Oct 13, 2024•46 min•Season 3Ep. 49
The Jacobs Foundation is collaborating with Edlabs across four countries to enhance evidence use in education policy, addressing the limited systematic evidence on policy labs' effectiveness. In this episode, Senyo speaks with Samuel and Marcela on a recent report that analyses key issues in the use of evidence and provides practical recommendations for their mission. Read the full report here: https://jacobsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Learning-brief-policy-labs-and-evidence-use-in...
Sep 30, 2024•38 min•Season 3Ep. 48
