Diabene, GHANA – U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Robert P. Jackson and Western Regional Minister John Evans Aidoo inaugurated a USAID-funded kindergarten in the Diabene community in Ghana’s Western Region today. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided $100,000 for the construction and furnishing of this kindergarten, which was completed in June 2016. The kindergarten block houses two classrooms, a staff room, a dining hall, restrooms, and a playground.

In the past ten years, the U.S. government has supported the construction of more than 350 schools. In 2014, USAID and the Ministry of Education together launched the Partnership for Education, which aims to improve the reading skills of at least 2.8 million primary school pupils by 2019. Through this partnership, USAID supports teacher training, rigorous student assessment, improved school management systems, and the provision of quality textbooks and learning materials. 

“I would like to take this moment to commend the Ministry of Education for being such a steadfast partner in the quest to usher in transformative change,” said Ambassador Jackson at the inauguration event. “Improving the quality of basic education is key to ensuring long-term health and economic growth in Ghana.” 

The goal of USAID/Ghana’s education program is to ensure that children are given the foundational skills to read with understanding in the early grades of primary school. USAID’s activities in Ghana improve the quality of reading instruction, strengthen the management of educational institutions, improve accountability and transparency between parents, schools and local government, and help communities contribute to student and teacher performance.

About USAID
USAID is the lead U.S. government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. For more than 50 years, USAID has supported Ghana in increasing food security, improving basic health care, enhancing access to quality basic education, and strengthening local governance to benefit all Ghanaian people.