Our first program on the African continent is in Ghana, a West African country situated between Togo and Côte d’Ivoire. Poverty in Ghana remains widespread, particularly in rural areas, which face poor access to transportation, markets, and healthcare, and are more vulnerable to droughts and floods. According to the most recent data available (2021), 3.4 million Ghanaians lived on less than $2 per day. Additionally, 24.6% of Ghanaians were classified as multidimensionally poor, lacking resources for education, medical assistance, and sufficient food.
Rural populations are generally unbanked and lack access to financial institutions. Loans, if available, carry high rates of 10–15% per month, trapping households in cycles of poverty. Gender disparities remain significant: the UNDP Gender Inequality Index ranks Ghana 126th, reflecting gaps in women’s health, empowerment, and labor participation. While female workforce participation is relatively high at 73.7%, much of this work is informal and low-paying. Structural barriers in rural areas limit economic opportunity and long-term development.
