WHY GHANA? Simply because Ghana is ready for and capable of educational development.
Among the African countries, Ghana is one of the few to exhibit a fast-paced progression in the areas of government, trade, foreign relations, and education. Over the years, Ghana's ability to accept and maintain change for good has provided an example of peace and stability to other African nations. An educational opportunity, such as Prampram, beginning in Ghana would not only better the society in Ghana but would also diffuse throughout the African continent.
GOVERNMENT In 1957, Ghana became the first African nation to win its independence which led to an established democracy. Although other African nations have followed Ghana in establishing independence and a democratic government, Ghana is among the leading nations to support democracy and to find satisfaction in its system and its leaders. Support and trust in the system of democracy in Ghana has opened economical and educational doors, allowing Ghana to become a stable country and a role model to other African nations.
TRADE As an example to other African nations, Ghana has played a positive role as a stabilizing influence helping to resolve conflicts and promote regional security. Trade links between Ghana and the United States are expanding: U.S. exports to Ghana grew from $53 million in 1985 to $295 million in 1996, boosting Ghana to third place (after South Africa and Nigeria) among African markets for U.S. exports.
U.S. RELATIONS The United States has enjoyed good relations with Ghana since Ghana's independence. Close relations are maintained between educational and scientific institutions, and cultural links, and Ghanaian militaries have cooperated in numerous joint training exercises, culminating with Ghanaian participation in the African Crisis Response Initiative, an international activity in which the U.S. facilitates the development of an interoperable peacekeeping capacity among African nations.
EDUCATION With changes in government, increases in trade, and positive foreign relations, Ghana has had the opportunity to make education a priority. In the past decade, Ghana’s spending on education has been between 28 and 40% of its annual budget. Before its independence Ghana was only able to provide limited primary, secondary, and university educations, however, it now supports 12,130 primary schools, 5,450 junior secondary schools, 503 senior secondary schools, 21 training colleges, 18 technical institutions, two diploma-awarding institutions and five universities serving a population of 17 million individuals.
SPIRIT Having displayed its capacity as a stable, independent, and transformable country, Ghana stands as a light in the African nation. Because of this country's ability to change and to help other nations change, educational assistance in Ghana would have a better success rate and higher possibility as a starting place to make a difference in the African nations. Ghana also holds the spirit necessary to accept assistance and to make an opportunity out of it:
“Spirit is an ethereal quality displayed by groups (and people) that successfully transform their circumstance. It may well be the quality that makes them successful. Spirit is social harmony—shared values and common cause that unify and mobilize people. Spirit is an expression of “agency” that is driven by the inherent desire of humans to express themselves and experience wholesome and worthwhile lives." - Jan Orman
