Gomoa Manso Spot is a community-based spot located in Gomoa Central in the Central Region of Ghana. It is a farming community and also a rural area with a population of about 500 members

The project was created by one of the 2019 changemaker grant winners – Anita Esi Eleh.

Anita was a current student at the African Science Academy and was keen to start a Teenage Pregnancy Awareness And Mentoring Program in her home community. After a very challenging selection process, Anita was selected as one of the grant winners and received £1000 to start the project.

Shocked by meeting many new teenagers who were pregnant during her vacations home, Anita was motivated to curb it by organizing teenage pregnancy awareness and mentoring program.

Anita realised teenagers in the community lacked exposure and seemed to be limited to only what they knew and saw on TV. Many girls in the community were not aware of their potential and what they can could be, thus they followed the trend in the community, which made it seem normal to give birth before or after Junior High School. Anita believed the project would go a long way to change the trend in her community by giving the teenagers reasons to be more assertive and motivate them to continue their schooling to the highest level. Studies shows that infant mortality rates drop significantly for women who have had primary education, and even more for those who complete secondary school. It is estimated that infant mortality decreases 9% for every year of education attained. This is because girls and women are able to educate themselves on health issues, which can help reduce the cycle of poverty and mortality rates in the long term. The change in literacy rate will contribute to the development of the community, decrease the rate of teenage pregnancy and provide to the community energetic and responsible youth. This is the long term vision of the project.

Anita also successfully secured a $5,000 grant to revitalize an abandoned library and equip it with 16 computers. The community leaders enthusiastically supported her initiative, contributing to the project’s success. A schedule was implemented for students to visit the library three times a week, and the students expressed great enthusiasm for the opportunity to learn in this newly renovated space.

The Spot now offers all EduSpots strands namely EduLit, EduKidz, EcoSTEM, Spot Lead and Gender Equity. With a reduction in teenage pregnancies, many learners are now able to join high school and transition to universities. EduSpots has donated educational items like 50 textbooks, two tablets, projector, router,16 computers and tablets. The learners are able to learn basic ICT skills and do research.

In the future the Spot aims to also add skills training whereby students will be taught basic skills such as graphic design, sewing, soapmaking and baking and  will produce prominent personnels like doctors, teachers, nurses, lawyers and many more in Ghana and the globe at large.