In a major endorsement of Ghana’s educational reforms, Paschal Donohoe, the Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer of the World Bank Group, has reaffirmed the Bank’s
commitment to building Ghana’s human capital. During a high-profile visit to the Osu Manhean Basic School in Accra on Monday, March 16, Mr. Donohoe praised the success of the Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP) and signaled a massive new wave of funding for the secondary sector.
The visit, which included Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, highlighted how targeted investment in low-performing schools is yielding record-breaking academic results.
1. GALOP: Transforming the "Low-Performing" Label
The US$174 million GALOP initiative (2019–2025) has become a global blueprint for the World Bank. By focusing on more than 10,000 schools that previously struggled with resources, the project has stabilized the "foundation" of the Ghanaian child.
Core Impact Metrics (2019–2026):
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Teacher Support: Specialized training for educators in literacy and numeracy.
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School Grants: Direct financial support for teaching and learning materials.
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Accountability: New digital systems to track pupil progress and teacher attendance.
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Beneficiaries: Over 2.9 million pupils across Ghana’s most vulnerable districts.
2. The Next Frontier: $300 Million for Secondary Transformation
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu revealed that the success of GALOP has paved the way for a new flagship program: the Secondary Education Transformation for Results and Jobs project.
Project Highlights:
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Total Funding: Approximately US$300 million from the World Bank.
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School Upgrades: Plans to convert "Category C" schools to "Category B," and "Category B" to "Category A" by expanding infrastructure and facilities.
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Skills-to-Jobs: A shift toward ensuring senior high school graduates possess practical, vocational, and digital skills demanded by the 2026 global economy.
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Inclusion: Proposed free education for all persons with special needs, including increased feeding grants and assistive devices.
3. Case Study: Osu Manhean’s 100% Success Rate
The visit to Osu Manhean Basic School served as living proof of the "Education Reset." Head Teacher Mr. Joshua Nortey shared data that challenged the narrative of urban poverty affecting academic standards.
| Metric | Previous (Pre-GALOP) | Current (2025/2026) |
| Enrollment | ~250 Pupils | 425 Pupils |
| BECE Performance | Fluctuating | 95% – 100% Pass Rate (Consistently for 5 years) |
| Teacher Training | Traditional | Integrated via GALOP Workshops |
4. "Human Capital is Ghana's Greatest Resource"
Mr. Donohoe, who assumed his role at the World Bank in November 2025, emphasized that long-term economic growth is impossible without Foundational Learning. He noted that the World Bank is "proud to partner" with a government that prioritizes the early years of a child's education, as this prevents the "learning poverty" that stalls national development.
The Bottom Line
The 2026 visit marks a transition point. As GALOP enters its final phase and the Secondary Education Transformation begins, Ghana is attempting to link its basic education success directly to the job market. With $300 million on the horizon, the goal is clear: ensuring every Ghanaian student, regardless of their school's category, is "fit for purpose" in a changing world.
