aboutus

Pen to Paper Ghana is a registered Ghanaian NGO (Reg. No. D.S.D./6604) that aims to improve education and facilities for the youth of Ghana, to give them a good grounding for a successful future. The organisation works in partnership with Ghana Education Service.

The organisation’s mission is to improve education, particularly literacy. With nearly 50% of children in Ghana unable to read at all, Pen to Paper Ghana makes a difference by providing free literacy classes, training teachers on their phonics programme and giving school scholarships to those that are highly academic, but without the financial means to continue with their education. The team also visit pupils in their homes at weekends, increasing their knowledge and passion for reading in the home environment.

In addition, Pen to Paper Ghana improves the infrastructure of schools, providing a pleasant, safe environment for pupils and teachers; this also increases attendance and improves learning.

OurHistory

The organisation was developed in 2015 when the co-founders were helping build school libraries. Though it was great providing book resources, they noticed that many of the children couldn't read the books. Through that Pen to Paper Ghana was created - a literacy NGO with a passion for helping people get out of the tunnel of illiteracy. The yellow and black theme of the NGO is to show that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Most children in Ghana are taught by rote learning, a process of memorising words, which means they are unable to read an unfamiliar word. The Pen to Paper Ghana team started teaching a group of teenagers using phonics and with the remarkable results, Pen to Paper Ghana grew to what it is now!

Richard Manu

With Richard’s wide experience in the charity sector, he is instrumental to Pen to Paper Ghana as the Director and only paid staff member. With his knowledge of Ghana and his contacts, he is the front-line person, key to undertaking the programmes, and progressing new ideas. He is the main teacher for the literacy classes, as well as spending his weekends visiting pupils' families and teaching. From Richard's own background of being unable to further his own education due to lack of finance, his keen determination to see others succeed is embedded in his work.

Katie Emerson-Manu

Katie has lived in Ghana since 2015 and having worked voluntarily with children in a number of countries, her passion and drive to improve lives is seen in her approach to running the NGO. Whilst managing the overall running of the organisation, including the website, social media and financing, she helps Richard (her husband) with teaching children literacy on the weekends.

Outside of the NGO, Katie works full time for a timber company as the Accounts and Administration Manager.

Emma Woodbridge

When it comes to raising funds for the organisation and with her boundless enthusiasm and sheer determination, Emma is an invaluable asset in lifting the profile of the organisation. Though based in the UK, she frequently comes to Ghana to see how the projects are progressing, promoting new ideas and getting updates to communicate with contacts back in the UK.

Outside of the NGO, Emma works full time in London in digital media.

Meet The Team

Pen to Paper Ghana runs with one local staff member on a Ghanaian salary and all others are volunteers, who pay for all their own expenses.

We also have a dedicated group of trustees.

P2p Country ambassadors

Pen to Paper Ghana Country Ambassadors are passionate volunteers who often have first-hand experience of seeing the struggles in Ghana. They are an extremely important and valued part of the NGO in inspiring family, friends, colleagues and their online networks to support the organisation, and raising funds through events and campaigns. They also each manage a group of volunteers in their country who help to fundraise, support with events, etc... and who are also a great help to the NGO.

Want to volunteer in your country? Please send us an email and our Country Ambassador will get in touch with you.