By: Gloria Anderson
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) continues to make significant strides in Ghana’s education sector through its volunteer programme. On the second day of its media tour, JICA showcased the transformative impact of its volunteers in the Volta Region, with visits to educational institutions in Akatsi and Keta.
The delegation engaged with two volunteers who have been instrumental in enhancing education, particularly for children with special needs and those learning ICT.
In Akatsi, the delegation visited Asuka Haga, a JICA volunteer working in the field of welfare and education for persons with disabilities. Asuka serves as a teacher at the Demonstration School for the Deaf, where she teaches Creative Arts to help students improve their literacy and expression skills.
She also develops teaching materials using locally available tools to facilitate English language learning for deaf students.
A Resource teacher to the Deaf Unit, Moses Besah Gakpo, highlighted the transformative impact of Asuka’s work, noting her innovative teaching approach, which includes using YouTube videos and the Ghanaian Sign Language Dictionary.
“The students are now more engaged and eager to learn. Her methods make it easier for them to grasp basic English concepts,” the teacher remarked.
The school’s headmistress, Stella Sogbor, expressed gratitude to JICA for assigning Asuka to the school, describing her as a “blessing to the students and the entire institution.” She, however, appealed for additional support, particularly the construction of a boarding facility for special needs students. “Many of these children travel long distances to attend school. A boarding facility would not only ease their burden but also improve their learning experience,” she stated.
Speaking to the media, Asuka shared her experience working with the students. She revealed that when she first arrived, most of them could neither read nor write, but with consistent practice and innovative teaching techniques, they have now acquired basic literacy skills. “Seeing their progress gives me so much joy. It’s fulfilling to know that they can now read and write simple English sentences,” she said.
The tour continued in Keta, where the delegation met Daisuke Yasugi, a JICA volunteer at Dzelukope R.C Basic schoo focused on youth development through ICT education. Daisuke has been teaching computing skills in basic schools, ensuring that each student gets hands-on experience with a computer.
His teaching approach integrates computer games to make Mathematics and ICT lessons more interactive and engaging.
According to Daisuke, many students had never used a computer before his arrival, making it difficult for them to grasp ICT concepts. “My goal has been to ensure that every child gets the opportunity to work with a computer. We use simple programming games to teach Mathematics and ICT, and this has significantly improved their understanding,” he explained.
Some students shared their experiences and appreciation for his teaching style, describing it as “fun, practical, and easy to understand.” One student expressed concern over his upcoming departure, saying, “We have learned so much from him, and we wish he could stay longer. We hope JICA will bring another volunteer to continue his good work.”
The JICA media tour, which aims to showcase the agency’s contributions to Ghana’s development ahead of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), will conclude tomorrow with a visit to the Tema Interchange in Accra.
The delegation will assess JICA’s role in supporting Ghana’s infrastructure development, reinforcing its commitment to the country’s economic growth.
