Portia Dzifa Dzilah: A Teacher Changing Lives in Rural Ghana
Portia Dzifa Dzilah is more than a teacher at Pakro Anglican Basic School in the Akwapem South District of Ghana’s Eastern Region she’s a force of change, compassion, and hope.
In Pakro, a farming community often plagued by challenges like truancy, teenage pregnancy, and low school enrollment, especially among girls, Portia has chosen to stand in the gap. Instead of turning away, she has dedicated her life to transforming the lives of her students and their families.
Championing Equal Opportunities for All
Portia believes that every child deserves a chance, regardless of their background or the obstacles they face. As a modern 21st-century educator, she combines personal sacrifice with the power of social media and community outreach to support her students.
Through her own resources and crowdfunding efforts, Portia has:
Provided school uniforms and shoes for over 100 students
Donated exercise books and learning materials for Primary and Kindergarten pupils
Advocated especially for girls’ access to education
Acts of Kindness That Change Futures
Portia’s compassion reaches far beyond the classroom:
She found a sponsor for a girl at risk of dropping out, ensuring her education continued.
She raised funds for two families to send their daughters to Senior High School and still supports the girls today.
When a young boy kept skipping school due to hunger, Portia began feeding him daily. Thanks to her support, he sat for his BECE this year and is awaiting his results.
She helped relocate a girl with serious family challenges to a safe, supportive home in Accra, where she now attends Senior High School.
Going the Extra Mile Literally
During the BECE exams, Portia personally accompanies her students to another town where the exams are held. There, they sleep in classrooms for a week. Portia ensures they’re well-fed, emotionally supported, and prepared to do their best.
After the exams, she hosts a special celebration called the “Feast of Togetherness” at her home a moment of joy, reflection, and encouragement. This annual tradition has made her a beloved figure in the community.
Empowering the Next Generation
Portia also leads the school’s Gender Club, where she teaches:
Life skills like soap-making and crafts
Health and education awareness, especially for girls
Character development, guiding boys toward becoming respectful and responsible men
She stays after school to tutor struggling students, refusing to let anyone fall behind.
A Decade of Dedication and Impact
For over 10 years, Portia Dzifa Dzilah has been more than just a teacher. She’s a mentor, advocate, caregiver, and role model. Her commitment to reducing teenage pregnancy, increasing school attendance, and creating opportunities for every child makes her an inspiring force in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
Through small acts of love and consistent dedication, Portia is rewriting the future one child at a time.
