{
  "id": 10449359,
  "title": "IDP Foundation partners with Opportunity International to expand the Rising Schools Program to Northern Ghana",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/idp-foundation-partners-with-opportunity-international-to-expand-the",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-28T13:21:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/idp-foundation-partners-with-opportunity-international-to-expand-the-rising-schools-program-to-northern-ghana/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "IDP Foundation (IDPF) and Opportunity International (OI) have joined forces to expand their Rising Schools Program into Northern Ghana. This strategic partnership aims to bring affordable school improvement loans and management training to underserved non-state schools in the region. With an average school fee of less than $65 per term, Northern Ghana presents a significant opportunity to address economic constraints faced by families and school owners. The new revolving fund will be managed by local financial institution Bessfa Rural Bank, providing tailored loan products and credit guarantees to schools. IDPF CEO Corina Gardner emphasized the importance of Northern Ghana as a key frontier for the Rising Schools model. OI's Head of Education Finance, Andrew McCusker, highlighted the program's potential to reduce risk for local lenders and increase access to capital for affordable private schools. The initiative builds upon USAID's previous efforts in the region, which were cancelled. IDPF and OI will work together to train 30 schools using OI's Proprietor Training Manual, covering financial literacy and school management. The partnership also aims to develop a pipeline of investment-ready schools for future expansion through School Leadership Academy workshops.",
  "summary": "Pioneering school finance model reaches new communities as part of a strategic partnership to bring education financing to underserved regions IDP Foundation, Inc. (IDPF) and Opportunity International jointly announce a new partnership to expand the Rising Schools Program into the Northern Regions of Ghana. Together, the two organizations will launch a revolving fund dedicated to […]",
  "key_points": [
    "IDPF and Opportunity International partner to expand Rising Schools Program in Northern Ghana.",
    "Strategic alliance aims to provide affordable school improvement loans and management training.",
    "Local financial institution Bessfa Rural Bank will manage the new revolving fund."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Ghana’s second chance: How Mahama’s return offers historic opportunity for transformation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/ghanas-second-chance-how-mahamas-return-offers-historic-opportunity",
        "published": "2026-09-28T10:21:08.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "GBC Ghana",
        "title": "Watch: President Mahama explains Ghana’s rejection of US Health Compact",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/watch-president-mahama-explains-ghanas-rejection-of-us-health-compact",
        "published": "2026-09-28T11:01:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Ghana sees geopolitical tensions as opportunity to end dependence – Ablakwa",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/ghana-sees-geopolitical-tensions-as-opportunity-to-end-dependence",
        "published": "2026-09-28T14:26:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}