Educating her: Overcoming barriers to education in rural Ghana

In the quiet village of Tamale, in the Northern Region, 13-year-old Amina Abubakar wakes up before dawn to fetch water, prepare breakfast for her family and sweep the compound. 

By the time she’s done, it’s almost noon, and school has long begun. For many girls like Amina in rural Ghana, the dream of a full education is hindered by barriers that are as cultural as they are economic.

Yet, across the country, stories of resilience and determination emerge as young girls strive to overcome these obstacles, refusing to let tradition or hardship hold them back.

Their journeys highlight the broader struggle to ensure that every girl, no matter her location or circumstances, has access to education—a fundamental right that remains elusive for too many.

Barriers to education

According to the Ghana Statistical Service, nearly 20 per cent of girls in rural areas drop out of school before completing junior high school.

The reasons are complex, ranging from poverty to entrenched cultural practices.

For families living in poverty, the opportunity cost of sending a girl to school is often deemed too high.

Instead of attending school, girls are sent to work on farms, assist with household chores, or engage in petty trading to supplement family income. 

“My parents said they couldn’t afford my fees, so I had to sell groundnuts at the market,” says Abubakar.

Even with free basic education policies, hidden costs—such as uniforms, books and transportation—remain insurmountable for many rural families.

Early marriages, infrastructure

Child marriage continues to derail the futures of many girls. Data from UNICEF shows that 19 per cent of Ghanaian girls are married before the age of 18, with the majority occurring in rural areas.

Once married, these girls are often expected to abandon education and focus on domestic and family responsibilities.

Patriarchal traditions often prioritise boys’ education over girls’.

In some communities, educating a girl is considered a waste of resources, as she will eventually marry and will benefit her husband’s family rather than her own.

Despite these challenges, inspiring stories of resilience abound.

Girls like Amina are defying the odds, aided by interventions that aim to break down these barriers. 

NGOs, community leaders and even some parents are working tirelessly to ensure that girls stay in school.

Catalyst for change

Organisations such as the Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) provide scholarships and supplies to underprivileged girls. They give books, uniforms and pay fees. 

The ripple effect of educating girls cannot be overstated. Studies by the World Bank show that each additional year of education increases a girl’s future earnings by up to 20 per cent. 

Moreover, educated women are more likely to marry later, have healthier children and contribute to community development.

“Educating girls isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s an economic strategy. When girls are educated, they uplift and transform an entire community which sometimes breaks the cycle of poverty,” a gender expert, Naana Appiah, said.

Health

She added that educated women were more likely to make informed healthy decisions, marry later, and have healthier children.

“When girls are educated, they tend to have fewer, healthier children and are better equipped to avoid preventable diseases such as malaria and malnutrition.”

“Additionally, education plays a crucial role in reducing maternal mortality rates.

Educated women are more likely to seek prenatal care, practice proper hygiene, and understand the importance of immunisations for their children.”

“In communities where girls remain uneducated, there is a higher prevalence of child marriages and early pregnancies, which often result in complications during childbirth.

These challenges have long-term health implications for both the mothers and their children,” she continued.

Consequently, by ensuring that girls like Amina and Grace stay in school, Ghana is not just investing in future leaders but also fostering healthier families and communities, Ms Appiah added.

Advocates

Girls who stay in school are also more likely to become advocates for change.

Take 18-year-old Edem Akakpo in the Volta Region, who completed senior high school despite immense challenges. 

She now mentors younger girls in her village, teaching them the value of education and helping them overcome barriers she once faced.

While progress has been made, much more remains to be done to ensure that every girl in rural Ghana has access to quality education. 

Key stakeholders, including the government, NGOs and community leaders, must collaborate to address systemic challenges.

Improve infrastructure, economy, policies

Investment in rural schools is critical. This includes providing adequate classrooms, toilets and resources like computers and science laboratories.

Programmes that provide micro-loans to families can reduce reliance on child labour, enabling parents to send their daughters to school.

Recruiting and training female teachers in rural areas can provide girls with role models and reduce dropout rates and strengthen policies.

A future full of promise

For girls like Amina and Grace, education represents more than just a pathway to employment; it is a symbol of hope and a means of breaking free from the cycle of poverty.

Their resilience, combined with targeted interventions, paints a picture of a future where every girl, no matter her circumstances, can thrive.

As the sun sets over Tamale, Amina completes her homework by the light of a kerosene lamp.

She dreams of a day when she can wear a nurse’s uniform, save lives and inspire other girls in her village to chase their dreams. 

“I won’t give up, I’ll prove that a girl can do anything,” she said firmly.