Television remains a powerful medium for education in Ghana, complementing traditional classroom instruction with engaging and informative programming. In recent years, several educational TV shows have emerged in Ghana, dedicated to delivering quality educational content to viewers of all ages.
These programs, which cover a wide range of subjects from science and mathematics to history and entrepreneurship, are designed to support students, parents, and educators by providing accessible learning opportunities. Some focus on preparing students for national exams, while others offer general knowledge or skill development. All these programmes are not only educative but motivational and entertaining as well.
This article will explore the top 10 best educational programs currently airing on TV in Ghana, highlighting the unique features of each show and their contributions to promoting education. Additionally, it will provide an overview of the content covered in these programs, the time, hosts, and TV channels where they air and how they are helping shape the future of learning for young people across the country.
Here are the Top 10 Best Educational Programs on TV in Ghana:
- Ghana National Science and Maths Quiz
- Heritage Ghana
- Nkwa Hia
- Talented Kids
- Yolo TV Series
- Ghana Learning TV
- Ghana Police Watch TV Series
- Health TV Ghana
- McBrown’s Kitchen
- Joy Learning
- Ghana National Science and Maths Quiz
The Ghana National Science & Maths Quiz is the longest-running independent production on television in Ghana. It’s a quiz programme on science and maths that began in 1993 in Ghana.
Three schools compete in each contest and each school is represented by two contestants. Every contest is composed of five rounds. Since its inception in 1993, only 11 schools have managed to win the NSMQ Trophy, making it one of the most prestigious and difficult titles to claim in Ghana.
The idea for the production of a quiz program is to encourage the study of the sciences and mathematics in Ghana as most students find these subjects particularly challenging. The quiz has since 2014 involved 135 schools from all parts of Ghana who compete for the sought-after title and has since made maths and science exciting to lots of kids in Ghana.
The program is very popular with not only its main target group – Senior High School students – but also with parents and, especially, with former students (old boys and girls), who take great pride in the performance of their schools on this programme.
The objective of the National Science & Maths Quiz has been to promote the study of the sciences and mathematics and help students develop quick thinking and a probing and scientific mind about the things around them while fostering healthy academic rivalry among senior high schools. Without a doubt, these aims have been achieved.
If you aim to inspire your ward to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), then this programme is the best in Ghana to help your child. It is educative, challenging, and exciting to watch, everything you need in an educational programme.
It airs on GTV during the quiz season every Saturday at 11 am and Wednesdays at 4 pm and usually almost all other TV stations broadcast it as well. You can also stream it live on YouTube.
2. Heritage Ghana
Heritage Ghana is an educational program on UTV Ghana that educates Ghanaians both young and old about their traditional heritage. The host of the programme is Naposohemaa Adwoa Yeboah Agyei.
The show highlights Ghanaian culture, an important aspect of social studies education in Ghana. Youths learn about Ghanaian culture in school: traditional marriages, puberty rites, festivals, naming ceremonies, and more, all these are brought to you live on UTV’s Heritage Ghana Show.
Many students in Ghana only learn about culture in school and may not have witnessed it themselves, especially children who live in the city and big towns. This show is very informative and allows students to see various aspects of Ghanaian culture live.
UTV’s Heritage Ghana won the Best TV Programme in Akan in 2019
3. Nkwa Hia
Hosted by Afia Amankwaah Tamakloe, Adom TV’s health talk show launched in 2016, informs Ghanaians about necessary health and preventive care. The show airs on Adom TV every Saturday at 6:30 pm, discusses a wide range of health issues including disease, research, genetics, chronic illness as well as everyday health developments and has caught on with many Ghanaians.
Nkwa Hia means Life is Important in the Akan Language and features many health experts who educate Ghanaians about various health issues. The Nkwa Hia programme is focused on increasing national awareness of major health issues and promoting a better understanding of the role of health education in Ghana.
Join millions of viewers in watching Nkwa Hia which has grown to become one of the most-watched health programs on television in Ghana today.
4. Talented Kidz
DJ Switch, Mara Yayra, and Nakeeyat Dramani host Talented Kids, a TV3 programme which first aired on January 31, 2001. It is a weekly show which airs from 4 pm to 6 pm every Sunday. It is one of the most exciting and fun reality shows for kids in Ghana.
Kids showcase their exceptional talents and extraordinary, entertaining performances that captivate the old and young alike. Talented Kidz is open to children aged 7 to 12, showcasing a variety of talents such as dancing, singing, acting, acrobatics, magic, spoken word, poetry, and more. They compete as individuals or in groups in 13 weeks to share their talents on stage with Ghanaians.
Over the years, it has served as a valuable platform for nurturing and developing young talent, offering opportunities for children to refine their skills and gain exposure on a national stage.
5. Yolo TV Series
YOLO (You Only Live Once) is a popular Ghanaian teenage TV series and the sequel to the iconic series Things We Do for Love. Premiering in 2016, the series is produced by Farmhouse Productions and airs on TV3 Ghana and Africa Magic. The show currently has about 8 seasons and is still airing.
YOLO addresses the challenges faced by adolescents, providing guidance and advice on issues like peer pressure, relationships, and personal responsibility. Its core message highlights that our choices have consequences—reminding the youth to make wise decisions as “You Only Live Once.” The show aims not just to entertain but to inform and educate, encouraging viewers to avoid actions they might regret.
Some key lessons from the TV series are: promiscuity is wrong, avoiding negative peer pressure, learning how to socialize, and not being ignorant about adolescent reproductive health issues. If you loved the show Things We Do For Love, then you’ll fall in love with this educative TV series for youths in Ghana.
6. Ghana Learning TV
Ghana Learning TV as part of initiatives towards innovative distance learning, was launched by the Ghana government to roll out a 24-hour free-to-air educational channel, available to deliver lessons to students across the country. This was in response to the COVID-19 pandemic but has since been utilized by students from Kindergarten to Senior High School to learn various subjects online.
Ghana Learning TV (GLTV) is now accessible on StarTimes channel 312, GoTV channel 315 as well as all digital TV channels in Ghana.
7. Ghana Police Watch TV Series
Hosted by Israel Laryea, a broadcaster, Ghana Police Watch seeks to educate Ghanaians on how to protect themselves against the latest tactics by criminals to rob people. It features a discussion segment focused on the work of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.
The discussions cover a range of important topics, including enhancing the capacity of the police to effectively investigate cases and the ongoing progress of e-policing, a project aimed at transforming police operations and procedures through the use of technology.
Ghana Police Watch is broadcast across all major television networks in Ghana and can now be viewed daily. Additionally, the series is set to expand to regional TV stations, starting with Coastal TV in the Central Region, airing on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. with a repeat on Fridays at 11 a.m.
8. Health TV Ghana
I recommend an entire TV station, Health TV, launched by the Ministry of Health (MOH), because all its programmes are educational. Health TV operates a 24-hour public health education and health promotion service that aims to help Ghanaians make informed decisions about their health and well-being. Various health shows and documentaries will provide health information on vaccines, hygiene, and discoveries about treating various chronic diseases.
One of their TV series “Atoua” literally meaning Should it Happen to you in the Akan Language, is a series to aid family planning education in Ghana. The programme educates young people, parents and all on key issues relating to reproductive health.
In Ghana, there are several misconceptions, myths and rumours about family planning resulting in the fear in a vast majority of sexually active youths and married people of the side effects of family planning. Watch this educative programme to learn about family planning and other health-related issues.
9. McBrown’s Kitchen
The McBrown Kitchen is a popular Ghanaian television show hosted by actress Nana Ama McBrown. Originally airing on United Television (UTV), the show is now broadcast on TV3. You can also watch the show on YouTube. It is a cooking show where celebrities are interviewed while preparing their favourite dishes, offering a unique blend of culinary demonstrations and engaging conversations with Ghanaian stars.
Watching the show will teach you new and innovative ways of cooking some of Ghana’s local dishes and it will entertain you as well. You listen to interesting conversations between Nana Ama and celebrities like Akua Donkor, Yvonne Okoro, Berla Mundi, Kofi Kinaata, Kwame Eugene and more.
10. Joy Learning Channel
Joy Learning Ghana’s first educational learning channel, was launched on December 30, 2019, with the primary goal of enhancing teaching and learning through television. The channel currently focuses on delivering the Senior High School (SHS) and Junior High School (JHS) curriculum, offering lessons that are free and accessible to students nationwide and beyond.
This ensures that all students have an equal opportunity to learn while enjoying an engaging learning experience. The channel is structured into segments for SHS 1, 2, and 3 classes and features lessons on core subjects, along with some elective subjects. Joy Learning aims to provide comprehensive educational content that supports students in their academic journey.
One of their programmes The Teacher and You airs on Saturdays at noon. This is an online classroom you can join for free on Zoom. It is an interactive class and outstanding students are awarded with learning materials: books, bags, stationary, etc.
Joy Learning features lots of educational programmes including The Career Trail, which is about to start its second season. The host of the programme is Irene Adubea Aning and it airs on JoyNews at 6 pm and 4 pm on Joy Learning. The programme educates young learners who wish to become entrepreneurs and learn from accomplished Ghanaian entrepreneurs who share their stories and lessons with them.
Essay writing competitions, riddles and clubs are all part of its initiatives. Joy Learning is available on Multi TV, Facebook, YouTube and online. Learn English, Biology, Mathematics and more on this very educational TV channel in Ghana.
11. In Bed with Adwen
In Bed with Adwen is an exceptional sex education programme aired on e.TV Ghana. It is a top-rated adult education programme that gives an in-depth analysis of relationships and adult sex education among others. The show is currently in its second season.
Famous Ghanaian celebrities are featured on the show as panellists to share their insights on how to please their partners in bed. The show is hosted by Justice Boakye Danquah popularly known as Adwen on e.TV every Friday from 10 to 11 pm. Kindly note that this show is not suited to persons under 18 years old and advisedly is for married couples.