Advertise on podcast: Let's Talk Education Africa

Should Free SHS be for everyone, or should it be targeted at those who need it most? At Let’s Talk Education Africa’s first-ever live event, La Presbyterian Senior High School and Kinbu Secondary Technical School faced off in an intense debate on the motion: “The Free SHS Policy Must Be Targeted at Those Who Really Need It.” The debate brought two compelling perspectives to the table. While one side argued that targeting Free SHS preserves public funds and elevates educational quality for the underprivileged, the other stood firm on universal access, cautioning that targeting risks exclusion, inequality, and social division With strong arguments, sharp rebuttals, and passionate delivery from both sides, the students turned a policy question into a conversation about the future of quality and accessible education in Ghana. And while the debate had a winner, the bigger win was getting young people thinking, questioning and engaging with the policies that shape their education and their future.

At our first-ever in-person event, Let’s Talk Education Africa brought together voices from different perspectives for a candid conversation about the state and future of education in Ghana. This special panel discussion, moderated by Senyo and featuring Elizabeth Patterson and Divine Kpe, explored the barriers standing between Ghanaian students and a genuinely quality Senior High School education. The conversation touched on unequal resources between schools, the realities faced by students from less-privileged backgrounds, gender-related barriers, examination malpractice, the weight placed on WASSCE, and growing concerns around discipline in our schools. Can we really call education quality when where you go determines what you have access to? Should one examination determine what a student has learned over three years? And are we doing enough to ensure that no student is left behind? 🎧 Listen in and join the conversation as we answer these questions and more.

Access to quality education remains one of Africa's greatest challenges. Not because schools are unavailable, but because affordability, financing, and long-term sustainability continue to limit learning opportunities for millions of children across the continent. In this episode, Senyo speaks with Irene, founder of the IDP Foundation and author of The School in the Market, about IDP's approach to strengthening low-fee non-state schools through sustainable financing. They discuss the role of governments, philanthropy, and local entrepreneurship in expanding access to quality education, as well as practical lessons for those seeking to replicate this model in other contexts.

Maybe the problem isn't that young people can't learn tech. Maybe it's how we've been teaching it. In this episode, Senyo speaks with Michelle, founder of Nyansapo Institute, about why too many learners leave school knowing the theory but lacking the skills to build, create, and solve real problems. They discuss what it takes to prepare young people for careers in tech, why hands-on learning matters more than memorization, and how giving learners real projects (not just lessons) can completely change the way they see STEM.

In this episode, Senyo speaks with Fatma, an education leader whose journey spans public health, child protection, international development, and school leadership, to explore what future-ready education looks like in a world shaped by rapid technological change, artificial intelligence, and evolving workforce demands.Fatma reflects on the purpose of schooling, the skills young people need to thrive, and why critical thinking, leadership, communication, and adaptability are becoming increasingly important. She challenges us to rethink the role of school, the limits of exam-driven learning, and why the future of education begins and ends with the teacher.

In this episode, Aml speaks with Evans Sinkari, Country Director of Right to Play Ghana, an international NGO dedicated to educating, protecting, and empowering children through the power of play. This conversation addresses the key barriers to children's access to quality education in Ghana, the importance of child-centered learning, and how collaboration among educators, families, and community stakeholders can create lasting change. Evans also shares inspiring stories from the field and gives a glimpse into Right to Play's exciting plans to scale early childhood education training across communities.

In this episode, Senyo speaks with education economist and researcher Dr. Peter Anti-Partey on the realities of education financing in Ghana and across Africa. Far from a simple case of "no money," Dr. Anti-Partey reveals how political interests, inefficient spending, and a disregard for data-driven equity are stalling educational progress. The episode further examines the role of citizens and civil society in demanding long-term reforms and why sustainable educational development requires leaders willing to think beyond election cycles. Drawing on his extensive field experience with organizations like UNESCO and UNICEF, Dr. Anti-Partey demonstrates that the true crisis isn't just about how much we spend, but how wisely and equitably we invest in the next generation.

In this episode, Kwame speaks with Prof. Ulrich Paquet, Research Scientist at Google DeepMind and Director of AI at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), and Sepehr Hejazi Moghadam, Senior Programme Manager at Google.org and lead of the Science Ecosystem portfolio, to unpack the launch of a freely accessible AI curriculum. Developed from the ground up with African educators to include culturally relevant cases, the programme is specifically designed to close the technical skills gap facing African universities and students. With Nobel Prize-winning AI tools like AlphaFold already impacting the work of 25,000 African researchers, and the Ubuntu philosophy "I am because we are" shaping the heart of responsible innovation, this conversation highlights why equipping African AI talent is not just a regional priority, but a global one. Because, as Sepehr puts it: "AI systems reflect those who build them." Google is betting on African brilliance to close the digital gap and reshape the global tech landscape. Tune in to learn how you can get started on the curriculum today at skills.google.

In this episode, Aml speaks with Jane Clayson Johnson and Brian Ashton, president of BYU Pathway Worldwide, together with a Ghanaian student, Benjamin Kwesi Ahialorxo, whose life has been directly transformed by the program. BYU Pathway's efforts have provided thousands of students in Africa with greater access to higher education, making it more affordable and closely linked to real opportunities for growth and employment. The conversation weaves through the vision behind the program, how it sustains its low-cost model, its growing footprint across Africa, and the global connection between education and employment. This episode reflects how meaningful access to education can reshape futures, expand possibilities, and create lasting impact across communities.

In this episode, Senyo speaks with Evelyne Keomian-Wood, founder of the Karat School Project. Evelyne’s early experiences with hunger, poverty, and limited access to learning shaped her belief that education can break cycles of poverty, a belief that has led her to establish the Karat School Project. The conversation highlights the key barriers many children still face in accessing education, particularly in communities where deeply rooted beliefs often see girls being prepared for marriage and motherhood rather than the classroom. Evelyne breaks down the Karat School Project’s mission to change that narrative, running a full-time education center for several years that equips students with the supplies, support, and nurturing environment they need to learn and thrive. From children living in extreme poverty to those working on the streets or at risk of early marriage, the program focuses on those most often left out of the education system. At its core, the work goes beyond simply getting children into school but aims to instill a lifelong love for learning.

Imagine a child in a classroom, bright, curious, and full of ideas. But every time words dance on the page, they twist into shapes that don’t make sense. The teacher thinks the child isn’t trying hard enough, and report cards carry painful labels that stick for years. Yet beneath all that, the child isn’t slow. The child isn’t incapable. The child simply learns differently. In this episode, Aml speaks with Rosaline Abigail Kyere-Nartey, founder and executive director of the Africa Dyslexia Organization, about how her late discovery of dyslexia propelled her into building one of Africa’s leading movements for learning-difference awareness and support. Rosaline shares how her frustration as a misunderstood learner became the seed for an organization now driving awareness, teacher training, policy advocacy, and research around learning differences, particularly dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and dyspraxia. She also reflects on the Africa Dyslexia Conference and why so many learners with extraordinary abilities continue to be overlooked. Africa is losing countless brilliant minds, not to lack of ability, but to lack of understanding. And changing that begins with awareness, compassion, and systems that recognize every learner’s potential. This conversation is a reminder that talent is everywhere, but understanding and support are what allow it to thrive.

In this episode, Senyo speaks with Mr. Modern Karema, the Uganda Country Director for STiR Education, about the organization’s mission to help teachers thrive and transform learning outcomes. The conversation explores STiR Education’s efforts in strengthening education systems by building the capacity of government structures rather than creating parallel ones and helping school leaders, district offices, and national agencies work together more effectively. A central focus of the conversation is on teacher motivation, which STiR approaches through intrinsic drivers: autonomy, mastery, and purpose. Mr. Modern reflects on what it takes for teachers to genuinely enjoy teaching, what “love for teaching” looks like in practice, and how non-financial motivation strategies can lead to more empowered, learner-centred classrooms.

In this episode, Senyo speaks with Lazarus Muthenya, Programmes Manager at Edutab Africa, a Kenyan EdTech organization making digital learning accessible to offline communities across Kenya and beyond. Lazarus takes us inside Edutab’s mission and the pillars that drive their work: Digital Learning Solutions, Teacher Professional Development, STEAM education, and the African Children’s Stories podcast which promotes literacy and fosters a culture of learning across Africa. He discusses the critical need for reaching offline learners, how Edutab aligns its content with national standards, and the innovative ways they track learning outcomes even in low-connectivity environments. The conversation also explores the lessons learned, challenges faced, and innovations shaping Edutab’s journey to deliver quality, inclusive learning experiences.

Education technology (EdTech) is widely recognized for its potential to strengthen access, improve quality, and bridge gaps in Africa’s education systems. Yet, the expectations of EdTech have not always matched the reality on the ground. Uncertainties linger around access, sustainability, equity, and whether technology is truly transforming learning outcomes for African students. In this episode, Senyo speaks with John Kimotho, Head of Office for Africa at the Spix Foundation, EdTech consultant with the World Bank Group and AUDA-NEPAD, and former Director of Educational Media at Kenya’s Ministry of Education. With over 42 years of experience in education technology, John has led landmark initiatives, including the deployment of technology in more than 23,000 schools across Kenya, and has worked with the UN and other partners to pioneer EdTech solutions across the continent. The conversation answers key questions: How can we ensure the quality of digital learning content matches the scale of access? What financing models can sustain EdTech deployment without burdening families or governments? And importantly, how do we prevent technology from widening existing inequalities in education? John also shares reflections on the opportunities, challenges, and future of EdTech in Africa.

What began as a simple high school project has, over the past two decades, grown into a transformative force for education, health, and community development. Julie-Anne and three friends launched the African Education Program (AEP) with nothing more than books, computers, and a desire to make a meaningful connection with disadvantaged youth in Kafue, Zambia. Over the years, their work has been shaped by the voices and challenges of young people and the community, gradually evolving into an organization that now unlocks potential of African youth and adults by building community-led organizations focused on quality education, health, and community development. In this episode, Aml speaks with Julie-Ann Savarit-Cosenza, Co-Founder and Executive Director of AEP, about the organization’s transformation over the years, including the creation of their flagship Learning and Leadership Center, which provides a safe space for young people to learn, lead, and thrive. The conversation dives into AEP’s mission to nurture changemakers, the partnerships that have strengthened their impact, and the ways they measure social transformation of the program, from education and reproductive health outcomes to economic empowerment for women and inclusion for children with disabilities.