Africa is touted as the next frontier of possibilities across many fields-technology, agriculture, entertainment and many others.
This breath of optimism is partially motivated by the youthful population in Africa and their perceived potential to drive mass innovation across the continent.
On much more realistic thinking, sheer optimism will not move the needle. It is time to design the next.
DesignTheNext is a commitment by Scolptre, a strategy and brand experience design agency in Accra, Ghana, to nurture the hearts and minds of young people in historically underserved communities, bringing out the next changemakers.
“More than a nice-to-do, or a box-ticking activity in the corporate landscape, businesses need to be socially accountable and walk the talk of positive change in society”- Kwabena Osei Asare, Project Coordinator, DesignTheNext said.
DesignTheNext addresses the growing levels of inequality in our education system in Ghana and the effect on many young people left behind in our ever-changing world.
According to Doris Sasu (Research Expert), Ghana had about 265,000 primary-aged children who were not in school as of the year 2020.
Efforts to raise a better tomorrow should be seen in our actions today.
In the maiden edition of DesignTheNext, Nii Okine Basic School in the Anumle Cluster of Schools was selected as a partner school.
As a partner school, Scolptre designed appropriate learning aids to guide effective teaching of the approved Ghana Education Service syllabus for lower primary pupils.
The learning materials covered basic human rights, national heroes, personal hygiene, tour destinations in the country, fraction charts, and learning positivity messages.
The highlight of the interactions with the pupils was when grouped into smaller teams for various activities; palm splash, colouring, and drawing their future selves. These play-based sessions exposed students to values like teamwork, equality, and respect.
Through these efforts and more, Scolptre aims to reach 10,000 young people by 2027, thereby advancing the aspirations of SDG Goal 4, Quality Education, and Agenda 2063 by the African Union.
“Education is a human right with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy, and sustainable human development.” -Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General (1997-2006).