Our Mission
Ghana Beyond Subsistence
Ghana Beyond Subsistence (GBS) recruits and prepares U.S. teachers for guided immersion experiences in Ghana where we collaborate with local teachers, farmers, traders, and traditional, religious, and elected municipal leaders for mutual growth and rural development.
GBS supports rural development and agricultural innovation
Supports farmers and traders through microloan and savings programs with a focus on women
Provides agricultural extension education and herd health services
GBS promotes cooperative educational advancement through teaching-learning-connecting.
Develops programming for U.S. and Ghanaian teachers and students
Organizes cultural exchange opportunities between U.S. and Ghanaian teachers
GBS respects and honors the people, values, traditions, and languages of Ghana’s Volta Region through annual residencies.
How We Started
Ghana Beyond Subsistence (GBS) grew out of 15 years of working and learning with Ghanaians on The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute (Wooster, Ohio) Ghana Research and Education Abroad. In 2018, this program won two international awards for teaching-learning-connecting:
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Institute for International Education’s (New York) Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Education,
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EDUCOM (London and Accra) Education Excellence Ambassador Award for International Collaboration in partnership with the Communities Of Thinking, Ghana (COT Ghana, Ho, Volta Region).
Throughout the following year, the leaders expanded their mission and began working independently of Ohio State ATI.
In May 2019, with the support of two committed sponsors, Barry Romich and Robin Wisner, the leaders launched the Ghana Beyond Subsistence project as a non-profit, non-governmental organization.
The program emphasis has shifted to bring on board American teachers to study, learn, and teach in West Africa, to introduce them to the wonders of Ghana’s people and culture, and to facilitate their interactions with teachers, farmers, and community leaders.