In an age where technology has revolutionised communication, many NGOs are utilising digital tools to enhance outreach and community engagement.
One such tool is WhatsApp, a globally popular messaging platform and the most widely used social media app in Ghana. As of January 2024, Ghana’s internet penetration rate reached 70%, with about 24.06 million people having internet access. Remarkably, a 2023 survey revealed that close to 92% of internet users aged 16-64 in Ghana use WhatsApp, solidifying its position as the country’s leading social media platform. WhatsApp’s evolution has transformed it into a multi-faceted tool catering to diverse needs across Ghanaian society. It serves as a crucial platform for information sharing, with Ghanaians using it to disseminate details about resources, job opportunities, and community services.
The app plays a vital role in providing social support, connecting people with established community members and aiding in the navigation of new environments. In the business sphere, even companies like MTN Ghana have embraced WhatsApp for customer service, enhancing satisfaction and streamlining communication. Beyond these public-facing uses, WhatsApp remains a cornerstone for family and organisational communication, keeping loved ones and colleagues connected across distances. Young people, in particular, have embraced the platform, using it to follow pop culture trends, engage in activism, and express themselves creatively. The fairly recent introduction of Channels has opened new avenues for organisations to broadcast content, with many leveraging this for marketing and community outreach.
EduSpots is no exception, we have effectively harnessed WhatsApp to connect our network of over 300 local community changemakers known as Catalysts. This platform has proven invaluable in fostering collaboration and driving social change through community-led learning hubs. However, this digital revolution isn’t without its challenges. Despite significant growth in internet access, the digital divide persists, with 30% of Ghanaians still lacking internet connectivity. This gap highlights the ongoing need for improved digital infrastructure and accessibility to ensure that the benefits of platforms like WhatsApp can reach all segments of society.
This article explores EduSpots’ innovative use of WhatsApp communities to engage 20 dedicated staff members, 7 peer mentors, 5 eager interns, 6 visionary trustees, and 10 sagacious advisors, in a bustling network of over 300 community-based Catalysts and ‘EduChamp’ supporters, all united in their quest for educational transformation. Our Catalysts – primarily comprising trained teachers, nurses, students, local entrepreneurs, and artisans – are individuals committed to driving positive change in their communities through education. For most participants, this engagement serves as a dual-purpose platform: it not only contributes to broader educational goals but also provides a unique opportunity for personal and professional growth.
The Importance of Real-Time Communication for Community-Driven Education
EduSpots has harnessed WhatsApp’s real-time communication capabilities to revolutionise how it coordinates activities across its network of 50 learning spaces in 10 of Ghana’s 16 regions. A standout feature of this digital strategy is the Catalyst’s innovative approach to developing their own sub-communities where they schedule, promote and share resources regarding upcoming activities.
In regions where internet connectivity is often intermittent, WhatsApp’s low data usage ensures communication is maintained with minimal disruption. Whether it is arranging a workshop, coordinating an event, or troubleshooting local issues, WhatsApp provides a quick, easy way to stay in touch and make real-time decisions. Each month, Catalysts and community members eagerly anticipate the WhatsApp announcement of the upcoming schedule. This includes the popular monthly Zoom coaching sessions, which have become a cornerstone of EduSpots’ capacity-building efforts. These sessions provide valuable opportunities for Catalysts to connect, learn, and share experiences with peers and mentors from across the country.
But the calendar doesn’t stop there. It also highlights an exciting array of other events designed to inspire and educate. ‘Ignite Talks,’ featuring thought leaders and innovators in education, are regularly scheduled to spark new ideas and approaches among the EduSpots community. These talks have become must-attend virtual events, with Catalysts often gathering in their local learning spaces to participate as a group, fostering a sense of collective learning and growth. The ‘Catalyse Workshops’ are another key feature of the calendar. These intensive, skill-building sessions are strategically scheduled to address specific needs identified within the network. From project management techniques to innovative teaching methodologies, these workshops equip Catalysts with practical tools to enhance their impact in their communities. Catalysts are also able to contact our regional coordinators more directly, enhancing the community-led approach of the organisation, which prioritises community needs over rigid hierarchical structures.
By leveraging WhatsApp to utilise this comprehensive event calendar, EduSpots ensures that even the most remote learning spaces are fully integrated into the organisation’s vibrant educational ecosystem.
Enhancing Collaboration
Group collaboration is another area where WhatsApp excels, and EduSpots has leveraged this feature to unite its diverse network. EduSpots has created distinct WhatsApp communities for each of its educational strands – EduLit, EduKidz, Ignite Equity and the EcoSTEM Hub amongst others- establishing vibrant sub-communities of shared practice tailored to the interests and needs of specific groups of Catalysts.
These WhatsApp communities serve as dynamic, co-shared spaces where Catalysts (or interns such as myself!) interested in particular educational focuses can exchange ideas, access resources, and collaborate on initiatives. While not restrictive, these spaces have cultivated a unique culture over the years, attuning Catalysts to the specific trends and focuses of each strand. EduSpots has branded these spaces with engaging themes that spark creativity and maintain focus. “Fire Friday” ignites passionate discussions about innovative teaching methods, while “Phonics Tuesday” and “Wordy Wednesday” keep language learning at the forefront of Catalysts’ minds. This thematic approach ensures that contributions remain relevant and aligned with each strand’s objectives, fostering a sense of purpose and direction within the digital communities.
The vibrancy of these WhatsApp hubs is palpable. Catalysts eagerly share key events and activities from their local learning spaces, inspiring their peers across Ghana to kindle the flame making educational transformation that much brighter. From showcasing successful reading circles in EduLit to highlighting creative play-based learning activities in EduKidz, these spaces are always buzzing with energy and ideas.
This has replaced lengthy, often delayed email threads, enabling participants to respond to questions and ideas in a more dynamic, timely manner. Weekly check-ins, polls, and even light-hearted activities, such as testing voice-message tongue twisters before sharing them with learners, foster stronger bonds and create a supportive foundation for learners. Over the years, EduSpots has refined its approach to digital collaboration, recognizing that keeping WhatsApp spaces active is just the first step. The organisation has learned that making information easily accessible and fostering genuine engagement are key to success. Pinned messages ensure critical information remains visible, while polls facilitate quick decision-making and efficiently gauge opinions. Voice notes allow for nuanced communication, especially valuable in a multilingual context.
We have found that Catalysts respond more readily to polls than to long text messages. This insight has shaped EduSpots’ strategy for collaborative knowledge sharing. For instance, a simple poll about effective reading strategies might spark a lively discussion, with Catalysts building on each other’s ideas in bite-sized, manageable responses.
Members from different regions can also collaborate, share teaching resources, and brainstorm best practices for improving educational outcomes. Catalysts and EduSpots staff can post questions in WhatsApp groups, receiving immediate responses from colleagues or experts, which enriches the collective knowledge base. WhatsApp can become a digital classroom where participants exchange valuable insights and offer peer support. This collaborative space helps align EduSpots vision across various regions and ensures that best practices in teaching and community engagement are widely shared.
Cost-Effectiveness: Reaching Rural Communities with Minimal Resources
Despite operating in rural areas with limited financial resources, EduSpots continues to make a significant impact across Ghana. We’ve identified WhatsApp as a powerful tool for amplifying our reach and effectiveness, enabling us to maintain strong connections with our 50 communities even when frequent in-person visits aren’t feasible. WhatsApp strengthens our community-led model by empowering local Catalysts to organically drive and steer their own impact. This aligns perfectly with our philosophy of providing communities with the right environment to lead and innovate on issues that concern them, ultimately influencing systemic change. Our WhatsApp communities embody this approach, serving as digital spaces where local innovation flourishes.
We’re also addressing smartphone access for many Catalysts in Ghana, through a comprehensive digitalisation drive. Our recent Wanderlust Ghana campaign, which saw a team drive from London to Accra, kickstarted this initiative. Each Spot has now received two tablets, with routers for internet connectivity. This initial distribution phase marks the beginning of our efforts to expand digital access across our network.
We’re exploring various funding avenues and support mechanisms to further empower local communities with digital tools. Our goal is to ensure that all Catalysts have the means to participate fully in our digital initiatives, recognising that technology access is crucial for equal participation and impact. The cost-effectiveness of WhatsApp allows us to direct more resources towards educational materials, training, and expanding Spots, rather than communication overheads. This efficiency enables us to have a wider reach and deeper impact, contributing to the long-term sustainability of our projects.
By leveraging WhatsApp in this way, we’re not just overcoming communication challenges – we’re creating a more connected, empowered network of change-makers across Ghana. This approach embodies our commitment to community-led development and innovation in education.
Multimedia Sharing: Enriching Learning Experiences and Monitoring Projects
WhatsApp’s ability to share multimedia content—such as images, videos, and documents—has become essential for EduSpots to deliver enriched learning experiences and track project progress. Catalysts and educators from different Spots can share photos of community events, videos of student activities, and important educational resources, keeping all stakeholders informed and engaged. Progress is also shared and we celebrate outstanding locally-led initiatives through photos and certifications, with stand-out Spots and Catalysts being highlighted at least monthly, boosting morale.
These materials can then be used in activities or sessions at the Spots, allowing learners access to high-quality educational content that might not otherwise be available locally. A prime example of this is our monthly challenge compilations. When learners complete these challenges, their entries—which often include written work, drawings, or even short videos—are shared across our network. This means that a student in a rural northern village might read or view the work of a peer from another, enriching their understanding and broadening their perspectives. This cross-pollination of ideas and experiences is particularly valuable in our multicultural network. It allows learners to engage with diverse viewpoints and creative approaches, fostering a more inclusive and comprehensive learning environment. For instance, a story written by a student about local traditions in one region might inspire curiosity and cultural appreciation in students from another area. Moreover, these shared resources enhance the quality of club delivery across our Spots. Catalysts can draw inspiration from successful activities or projects implemented in other communities, adapting and implementing them in their own Spots. This organic exchange of ideas and best practices through WhatsApp ensures that innovative teaching methods and engaging activities spread rapidly across our network.
WhatsApp also facilitates the dissemination of reports, which volunteers can review, comment on, and share within their networks, motivating all stakeholders involved in the impact. EduSpots community members can assess the impact of their initiatives by receiving regular visual updates from on-the-ground teams. Volunteers share pictures of students using new educational materials or participating in workshops, providing a real-time understanding of how projects are progressing.
In conclusion, EduSpots has further revolutionised its approach to community-led educational change across Ghana by leveraging popular messaging technology. This innovative use of digital platforms has created a vibrant, interconnected network that transcends geographical barriers and resource limitations.
The organisation’s strategic embrace of mobile communication has yielded multiple benefits. Real-time exchanges have enhanced coordination and rapid decision-making, particularly crucial in remote areas with unreliable traditional communication methods. Virtual collaborative spaces have fostered idea-sharing, peer support, and the dissemination of best practices among Catalysts and staff members. Additionally, the ability to share multimedia content has enriched learning experiences and facilitated project monitoring, providing stakeholders with tangible evidence of impact. As EduSpots continues to grow and evolve, its digital-first communication strategy can serve as a model for those operating in similar contexts. This approach not only bridges the digital divide but also empowers local communities to take ownership of their educational journey. Looking ahead, the potential for further integration of digital tools in community-led education is vast. EduSpots’ success paves the way for exploring additional innovative technologies that can enhance learning experiences and community engagement in the future.
Ultimately, EduSpots’ journey from chat to change demonstrates the transformative power of accessible technology when combined with a committed network of local changemakers. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, EduSpots is well-positioned to leverage new opportunities, ensuring that the spark of education continues to ignite positive change across communities in Ghana and beyond.
Written by Zainab Abdelaitif, former EduSpots Intern