Williams Ayaaba Akongbabre has been a force for educational transformation and community upliftment across Ghana’s Upper Regions. An award-winning educationist, creative-arts advocate, curriculum developer, and founder of Relcaso Ghana, Willi-Gif College of Arts & Technology, and the Willi-Gif Arts Series, Williams has pioneered programs that bridge creativity and social impact. From hybrid schools for vulnerable children to national teacher training, he is redefining education as a tool for empowerment, equity, and lifelong resilience.
This article delves into his background, legacy, innovations, and vision—documenting a journey that touches thousands of lives.
Early Life: A Child of Creativity and Curiosity
Born in Zebilla and raised between Bawku, Zebilla, and Wa, Williams’ journey began in humble circumstances. As a child, he stood out for his extraordinary creativity, crafting mobile toys from scrap parts, mending broken jewelry, and painting walls and furniture using charcoal and colored soil. By the time he was six years old, neighbors already referred to him as “the boy who could fix anything.”
His parents recall how Williams, without guidance, made “robots” out of wire, battery packs, and bottle caps. His friends would exchange sweets or small coins just to own one of his handmade toys. By Junior High School, he was helping his teachers create teaching aids and art diagrams. This hands-on innovation, rooted in self-learning and improvisation, would become the bedrock of his educational vision.
Academic and Professional Foundations
Williams pursued his Basic Education Certificate (BECE) at Zebilla Junior High School and Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSSCE) at Bawku Senior High School. He later obtained a Diploma and BSc in Management Studies from the University of Cape Coast, where he combined business acumen with education planning.
To strengthen his administrative and financial expertise, he pursued:
- ICA Ghana Part I (Accounting)
- RSA Stage II & III in Business Calculations, Commerce, and Economics
Currently, Williams is studying for an MPhil in Education at the University for Development Studies (UDS), focusing on curriculum development, inclusive learning, and creative pedagogies—positioning him as both a theorist and practitioner of education reform.
Relcaso Ghana: Leading Inclusive and Community-Based Learning
In 2010, Williams founded Relcaso Ghana (Reform Literacy & Creative Arts for Social Organisation), a non-profit committed to using education as a tool for community development, social justice, and poverty reduction.
Key Programs Under Relcaso Ghana:
1. Creative Arts Curriculum Development & Teacher Support
- Authored Ghana’s first teacher-friendly creative arts textbook series, structured to empower both specialists and non-specialist teachers.
- Created “Action Packs”—modular teacher guides that break down the Standards-Based Curriculum into step-by-step activities, especially valuable for under-resourced schools.
- Trained over 7,000 teachers across five regions, making creative arts accessible and practical even in rural schools with limited resources.
“Our goal was to demystify the Creative Arts for teachers who never studied it but are required to teach it,” he told JoyNews.
2. Willi-Gif Hybrid School for the Vulnerable
A first-of-its-kind inclusive hybrid school in Wa, offering:
- Free education to orphans, children with disabilities, and those from extreme poverty.
- Integrated support: feeding programs, counseling, art therapy, and special education services.
- Mainstream and special learners are taught side-by-side, breaking stigma and nurturing empathy from early childhood.
More than 200 children have benefited, with several transitioning to secondary schools through scholarships.
3. My Life My Right (MLMR) Initiative
This project helps orphans and poor children access healthcare, education, and legal protection.
- Over 100 children have received life-saving medical care, including surgeries, rehabilitation, and special referrals.
- Organized mobile medical outreach clinics with volunteer doctors and nurses.
- Advocates for child rights on local radio and within community chiefs’ councils.
4. Scholarship Scheme for Needy Children (SSNeC)
- Funded by proceeds from Williams’ published books and art workshops.
- Supports 30+ vulnerable children annually, covering tuition, uniforms, and books.
- Beneficiaries include survivors of tragic incidents (e.g., a child whose entire family perished in a house fire in Wa).
5. ISSSFAF – Agroforestry Training for Farmers
- Introduced to support climate-smart agriculture and sustainable livelihoods.
- Trained over 300 smallholder farmers in economic tree planting (e.g., mango, moringa, shea).
- Promotes land preservation, soil enrichment, and cash crop diversification.
6. QAP (Quality Assurance Project) for Public Schools
- Piloted in Wa East, now adopted by Methodist Education Unit and scaled to five districts.
- Equips schools with monitoring tools, creative learning frameworks, and instructional feedback systems.
- Recognized by Ghana Education Service (GES) for improving learning outcomes.
Broadcasting, Advocacy & Mentorship
- Hosted “Chronicles of Fr. Abraham” and “Willi-Gif Time” on GN Radio (92.7 FM), where he mentored 100+ youth in:
- Public speaking
- Career planning
- Creative entrepreneurship
- Civic leadership
- Serves as a mentor in the Young Visionary Leaders Africa (YVLA) initiative and provides pro bono training for college students during long vacations.
Recognition and Awards
- JoyNews Impact Makers Award (2025) – Honored for Creative Arts Education reform.
- National Best Curriculum Innovator (GES Regional Nominee) – for pioneering teacher action packs.
- Featured in:
- Ghana Education Service reports on professional learning communities
- UN Volunteer Ghana program as a leading education innovator from the north
Future Plans
Williams’ goals for the next 5 years include:
- Scaling his hybrid school into a residential boarding institution, with STEM and arts integration.
- Launching a Willi-Gif Creative Arts Institute to train teachers, animators, and creative entrepreneurs.
- Expanding SSNeC, MLMR, ISSSFAF, and QAP across 10 regions with digital support platforms.
- Partnering with corporate sponsors, CSOs, and global donors to ensure financial sustainability.
- Publishing a Creative Arts Workbook Series tailored to each of Ghana’s 16 regions, reflecting local culture and context.
How to Support or Collaborate
- Donate: Sponsor a child’s education, a farmer’s seed pack, or a creative arts toolkit.
- Volunteer: Professionals in health, education, and media are encouraged to mentor or serve in outreach projects.
- Collaborate: NGOs, educational startups, CSR programs can co-design interventions.
Contact:
+233 242 516 550
✉️ [email protected]
🌍 www.relcasoghana.org
📱 TikTok: @willigif | Facebook: Relcaso Ghana | Twitter: @WilliGif
