Accra, Ghana//-The World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Robert Taliercio, has revealed that non-performing basic schools in the country would benefit from an additional $117.13 million grant as part of the implementation of the Ghana Learning and Accountability Outcomes Project (GALOP), which began in 2020.
The grant according to him would scale up interventions from 10,000 targeted low-performing schools to all non-performing kindergartens (KGs) and primary schools in the country.
Mr Taliercio made this known when he led a team of World Bank senior officials to visit some GALOP beneficiary schools in Accra to ascertain the progress of the implementation.
This second $117.13 million additional financing was recently approved in December 2024. Out of the parent GALOP of $335.83 million, an amount of $218.7 million had been disbursed. The project had also been extended to close 2026 after achieving 72% disbursement.
The GALOP which aims to improve the quality of education in basic education schools and to strengthen education sector equity and accountability in Ghana, is rated satisfactory on the achievement of development objectives and implementation progress.
As part of the project, basic school teachers are supported to develop teaching and learning materials to enhance teaching and learning.
Mr Taliercio used the occasion to pledge the Bank’s unflinching commitment to help improving education in the country saying: “Education is the key to addressing poverty and building the capacity of the youth for the world of work and human resource needs of the country”.
Addressing the pupils of the school later, he urged them to take their studies seriously to enable them to become responsible citizens thereby contributing to the socio-economic development of the country.
“I am happy to be with you here. Study hard to prepare for your future, family and that of the country”, Mr Taliercio added.
At the Father Campbell SVD Foundation located at McCarthy Hills, a suburb of Accra, Mr Taliercio lauded the effort of the Foundation whose mission is aligned with that of the World Bank, to help eliminate poverty in the world.
He also commended the managers of the Foundation for their hard work in trying to reform children which are mostly picked from the streets to be housed and educated by the Foundation.
Mr Taliercio pledged the Bank’s commitment to continue to support the Foundation for the upliftment of the children which shared their harrowing experiences during the visit.
The Founder of the Father Campbell SVD Foundation, Reverend Father Andrew Campbell, said he started the foundation in 2022 to take street children out of the street and provide them with employable skills to carter for themselves and families.
He indicated that the Foundation currently supports 40 street children with education and vocational skills, and called on other philanthropic individuals and organisations to support the Foundation.
Father Campbell thanked the World Bank for the support and assured their resources are being put into good use.
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu who was present at the St Thomas Presby Primary School commended the World Bank for supporting education in the country.
