News
Tribute to Nana Araba Apt, CofA's founder

On Thursday 9 March 2017, our founder, professor Nana Araba Apt passed away. She was one of CofA's three ‘Founding Mothers’.

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For over ten years she was the driving force behind what CofA is today: a well-established Foundation that helps girls from poorer rural regions in Ghana to attain a better education.
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Read our tribute to professor Apt, including contributions by Ernestina Marfo - a 2012 CofA girl and graduate of the University of Professional Studies – and Dr Patrick Awuah Jr, President of Ashesi University.

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Speaking their language

CofA shares the knowledge gained with government departments and educational institutions to improve the education standards, and the chances of young women, in Ghana and other African countries.

Daniel Amponsah has been working with College for Ama (CofA) as a volunteer Maths and Science teacher since 2014. He started as a volunteer teacher and became a member of the CofA Board, while continuing to teach at the annual summer camps.

“Working with CofA is a privilege and I stand completely behind its vision and mission of the ‘founding mothers’, so to speak. I enjoy being a part of the wonderful team of volunteers that are on board” said Daniel.

Teaching the children is fun, but also revealing in the way they show their naivety when it comes to Science. They often seem oblivious to the relevance of what they are learning and how different applications affect their lives. Daniel became aware that the use of English in teaching Maths and Science was a major problem for most girls from poorer, rural areas. So having teachers who can speak their language is a great advantage, while at the same time working on their English comprehension.

“Volunteering has given me the opportunity to understand the educational needs of less prviledged girls, so I can help them embrace Science and Mathematics,” stated Daniel.

It was also interesting to note the difference in teaching of Science subjects in many rural areas, where a more practical approach is used, while in the cities the emphasis is more on technology.

"Now that CofA celebrates it’s 10th anniversary, I hope Ghanaians, and the world at large, will see and share in its vision and support our work to continue to ensure that 'Ama' makes it to college", Daniel added.



Sharing the knowledge

CofA disseminates the knowledge gained from our summer training camps and discussions with teachers in schools taking part in the CofA programme.

class group CofA 2012At the end of each training camp, we write a comprehensive report with details of the effectiveness of CofA's comprehensive model and what improvements need to be made. Progress of the CofA girls after they have completed the initial programme is monitored and documented. This information is shared with appropriate institutions and organisations so that the lessons learnt can be applied to similar schemes and to influence Ghana's national youth policy.

You will find the links to our reports and newsletters on the left.



People we like

WomensTrust

There is no lack of interest in good education, even in the poorest regions of Ghana. Lack of finance is a common reason for girls not going beyond the free primary education. Womenstrust is the brainchild of Diana Dakin. It pioneers microlending to women in Pokuase, Ghana, so that they can take better care of their own and their children's needs.

Future of Africa

Since its foundation in 2015, Future of Africa has been working with street children in Accra and now delivering a five-year wellness, technical education and entrepreneurail skills to homeless youth between the ages of 11 and 15.

Girleffect

We got to hear about a fantastic movement called 'Girleffect'. Their message is earily close to ours. Take a look at this short video and you'll see why.

UN International Day of the Girl Child

11 October is the UN's International Day of the Girl Child. For 2023, the theme is Innovating for "Digital Education. Our Generation." A focus on the disadvantages girls face online. Of the 2.2 billion under-25s without internet, the majority are girls. The male of our species still have better access to education and opportunities by virtue of being male.



College for Ama (or CofA, as we call it) started in 2006 helping girls to continue their education at secondary level. This was done through its annual summer camps, a mentoring program and financial assistance.

COVID-19 meant that we had to stop our program. CofA is using this pause to reflect on past achievements and ways to improve its program when it can safely relaunch its activities.

Here is what we achieved at our 10th aniversary in 2016.

See us work and play at the annual Summer Camp


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