Accra, Ghana, November 1, 2026: More than 650,000 children aged four and five in Ghana are expected to benefit from a three-year early childhood education programme launched by the Liverpool Football Club Foundation and international development organisation Right To Play.
The initiative, being implemented in partnership with Ghana's Ministry of Education and other education stakeholders, aims to improve kindergarten education by equipping teachers with the skills to incorporate play into everyday classroom instruction.
The programme will cover eight regions and provide training, coaching and mentorship for approximately 14,500 teachers.
The approach is intended to help young learners develop foundational skills in literacy, numeracy and creative arts through activities that encourage participation, exploration and practical learning.
Speaking on Channel One TV's Breakfast Daily, Stephen Hale, Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Manager at the LFC Foundation, said equipping teachers with practical skills would be central to the programme's success.
He explained that teachers needed the knowledge and support to translate play-based learning into effective classroom experiences for young children.
Katie Ellis Carrigg, Director of Partnerships and Impact at the LFC Foundation, said visits to schools in two regions had demonstrated the enthusiasm of both teachers and pupils for the approach.
She noted that play-based activities could bring different subjects together while encouraging children to participate actively in their learning.
The partnership between the LFC Foundation and Right To Play dates back to 2019, when the two organisations began working together to identify opportunities to support children's development through sport and play.
Ghana's participation in the initiative builds on the work of both organisations in other countries, including Tanzania and Ethiopia.
Strengthening early learning
The programme comes at an important stage in children's education. Kindergarten provides the foundation for subsequent learning, yet access to quality early childhood education depends not only on enrolment but also on the quality of teaching and the learning environment.
Right To Play has noted that although Ghana has expanded access to kindergarten education, many teachers still require further training in effective play-based teaching methods to fully implement the national kindergarten curriculum.
The organisation has also highlighted gaps in foundational learning, with national assessment data indicating that almost two-thirds of nine-year-olds in Ghana lack early reading skills, while more than one-third lack early numeracy skills by Grade Two.
Through teacher training, coaching and mentorship, the partnership hopes to strengthen classroom practices and give children a better start in their educational journey.
The programme also places emphasis on reaching children in rural communities, where access to quality teaching and learning opportunities can be more limited.
Right To Play has worked in Ghana since 2001, supporting children's access to education and opportunities to develop essential life skills.
The three-year initiative adds to these efforts, with its impact ultimately depending on how effectively teacher training translates into improved classroom experiences and learning outcomes for children across the participating regions.
