SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana is pleased to announce that a school they are supporting has set a historic record in this year’s (2018) Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), a nationwide exam that junior high school students write to gain admission to senior high school. The school, Sefwi-Yawkrom Junior High School is in Yawkrom village, surrounded by the Sui forest, the only remaining home of the Giant Squeaker Frog (Arthroleptis krokosua). From obscurity, the school placed among the best performing public schools in the region. In particular, four students (two girls and two boys) scored distinctions; furthermore, they beat off tough competition at the national level to gain admissions to prestigious senior high schools such as Prempeh College, Yaa Asantewaa Senior High School and Sefwi Wiawso Senior High School. Among notable alumni of these elite schools include Ghana’s former president John Agyekum Kufour, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II (one of Africa’s most powerful kings), Professor Kwadwo Asenso Okyere (former Vice Chancellor of University of Ghana), and Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (MP and Minister for Education).

SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana’s Interventions

To avert the extinction of Giant Squeaker Frog, one of earth’s most endangered species, SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana sees education of local children to be a promising tool. As in the words of Nelson Mandela, “education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” Accordingly, SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana has implemented several educational interventions, for instance, establishing the Sui Amphibian Conservation Education Centre (SACEC). SACEC is stocked with desktop and laptop computers and resourceful academic materials such as examination past questions and answers booklets.

SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana regularly helps to organise quizzes and essay writing competitions, with competitive awards given to deserving contestants. The SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana staff also personally get involved in teaching and helping some students with their homework. Further, SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana has enrolled some teachers of the school on livelihood projects to motivate them to give off their best.

The Way Forward

Can you or a company you know help to sponsor the education and upkeep of these top four scholars in question, or otherwise donate to help SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana to increase the scope and sustainability of their great effort? Without any external support, parents will have no alternative but to resort to felling trees or making farms in the only habitat of the Giant Squeaker Frog.

SACEC also has only 11 computers, with over 30 kids having to crowd around a computer during lessons. SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana would be pleased to receive used or new computers, iPads, tablets and any educational gadgets as well as books. Please contact [email protected] you can assist.

Photo: Some previous award winners of SAVE THE FRPOGS! Ghana’s essay writing competition.