The Lawerh Foundation and educational technology firm AyaPrep Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a Dangme-language mathematics module, in a move aimed at addressing the persistent poor performance of Ghanaian students in the subject.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Chief Servant of the Lawerh Foundation, Dr Issaka Lawerh Tetteh, said the initiative is designed to tackle what he described as the “root cause” of learning difficulties in mathematics — language barriers.

“We cannot continue to address the symptom of poor performance in maths exams in Ghana without treating the root cause,” Dr Tetteh said. “When a young learner first encounters abstract concepts like algebra or geometry in a language they are still mastering, it creates an immediate cognitive hurdle. By bringing mathematics into the Dangme language, we are bringing it into the heart and mind of the learner. This is not just translation, it is transformation.”

The MoU was signed on December 10, 2025, at the head office of the Ghana Bureau of Languages in Accra.

It formalises a partnership that will see the Lawerh Foundation fund the development and integration of a Dangme-language mathematics module into the AyaPrep mobile application.

AyaPrep is known for its curriculum-aligned digital learning tools that support students preparing for national examinations. Under the agreement, a team of subject matter experts, linguists and pedagogical specialists will work together to ensure the new Dangme module communicates mathematical concepts clearly while reflecting the cultural context of learners.

Dr Tetteh, a native of Ayikuma in the Shai-Osudoku District and a Dangme speaker, said the idea was inspired by his own experiences and long-standing observations of how language affects comprehension in classrooms.

The project will be rolled out in phases, beginning with curriculum mapping and dialect standardisation for Dangme.

This will be followed by content development and pilot testing in selected schools within the Shai-Osudoku District and other Dangme-speaking communities. A full public release will then be integrated into the main AyaPrep app.

The Lawerh Foundation hopes the initiative will not only benefit Dangme-speaking learners but also serve as a model for introducing other Ghanaian languages into digital learning platforms.

“This is about reclaiming our heritage and using it as a tool for national development,” Dr Tetteh added.