Amplio Network

As we hit the halfway mark of 2024, let's reflect on our progress:

▶ Improved CHPS zones with community-led initiatives for cleaner health facilities.
▶ Enhancing agricultural services for 7500 smallholder farmers in Northern Ghana.
▶ Fostering peace between Fulbe and non-Fulbe communities in Upper Western Ghana.
▶ Supporting 250 women in shea butter production to meet quality standards

Our goal: Double these achievements by year-end💪💪!

Visit our website to learn more!

At Amplio, we are fortunate to have a talented group of interns who contribute immensely to our work. We are so pleased to introduce to you Rashida Abdulai, Molly Dorr, and Portia Kwotua!

The Market Systems and Resilience activity has reached a milestone in building capacity for (AEAs) to promote , practices, and services among in Northern Ghana.

We conducted in Karaga, Sagnerigu, Nadowli-Kaleo, East Mamprusi, Wa East, Mion and Yendi with district offices of The Ministry Of Food And Agriculture Ghana, equipping AEAs with .

300 devices with vital content on practices have been deployed to communities.

This initiative supports communities, preserves traditions, and builds a .


Learn more about the MSR Activity here: https://www.amplio.org/post/amplio-to-promote-inclusive-agriculture-extension-services-in-northern-ghana

Photo credit : Fuseini of Amplio.

It's not a story but here's the moral: Raise a glass🥂 to the fearless women grabbing life by the handlebars and steering their own course.

They are conquering roads and doubts, running on pure resilience and determination!

🌍 Today, on , let's remember that access to safe, nutritious food is a fundamental right. 🍽️

Amplio is committed to promoting good agricultural practices and strengthening food systems to prevent foodborne diseases. 💪 Join us in advocating for from farm to fork! 🌿🍴

Small habits can make a big difference in reducing . When it comes to Amplio's audio , these 5 easy tips can help extend its lifespan significantly:

✅Remove the battery after use to prevent corrosion and leakage over time.
✅Avoid excessive volume levels that can blow out and damage the speakers prematurely.
✅Ensure adult supervision when children are using the device, to prevent rough handling or spills.
✅Keep liquids away from the Talking Book's buttons and interfaces at all times.
✅For the Talking Book version 2, always charge the battery fully before use to optimize battery cycle life.

What tips do you follow for making your electronics last longer? Share your advice in the comments!

Learn more at: https://www.amplio.org/

Photo by Simon Tang for Amplio.

New project alert! 🎉
With support from the Littorals Regional Initiative and funding from USAID - US Agency for International Development, we have launched an "Amplio Follow-on: Radio Drama and Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Intervention on Fulbe Inclusion" project to drive positive behavior change.

The plan? Adapt radio dramas into local languages, set up community listening groups, and equip health facilities with the technology packed with key messages.

A core focus is increasing inclusion and healthcare access for the Fulani (Fulbe) ethnic minority group.

We pay tribute to the courageous men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their valor and devotion allow us to live in freedom.

Ensuring that hard-to-reach communities and gain access to vital would be impossible without our incredible programs and field officers.
Our team contributes countless hours of diverse services and skills across various projects. From organizing stakeholder meetings, to facilitating trainings, to engaging with youth, their hard work drives our organization forward.

We are inspired every day by their passion, commitment and the expertise they bring to the table. Not only do they make our programs possible, but they show the communities the power of teamwork.

Visit our website ://www.amplio.org/ to learn more about our programs and SBCC activities.

The Amplio Talking Book (ATB) is an audio device designed for users. It delivers hours of content on , and to in any language.

Usage data and feedback enable monitoring of to continually update content. Amplio works with organizations to design customized listening models based on program objectives and target audiences.

Here are four common ways ATBs are used.
Click here 👉 https://lnkd.in/d5cMrq9r to learn more.

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." - Nelson Mandela.

In 2022, ILC Africa implemented the Ready2Read Malawi project in partnership with Amplio and the Association of Early Childhood Development in Malawi (AECDM). The project used the Talking Book as an solution to engage preschool children, educate parents and caregivers, and support 50 community-based centers (CBCCs) across the nation.

The project enhanced the educational experience for young , ultimately improving their performance in the classroom.

We firmly believe that all , regardless of circumstance, deserves access to .

Learn more about the Ready2Read project and other impactful projects here: https://lnkd.in/dZawYNsz

In 2023, Amplio's mission to empower the world's most vulnerable communities through reached an incredible #297,259 individuals across .

This milestone represents a significant stride towards bridging the knowledge gap in areas lacking internet, electricity and high literacy rates. It's a testament to the unwavering of our team, partners and the communities we serve who guide the creation of context-appropriate content.

We extend our gratitude to every supporter, partner and donor who believes in this mission to create positive change.

Our mission is to create positive in communities around the world. Through the USAID-funded Littorals Regional Initiative, we have employed approaches in the promotion of and enhanced interactions among traditional leaders, community members, high-risk youth groups (miners) and minority groups (Mossi and Fulbe) leading to the adoption of best practices for peaceful co-existence of border communities in the Upper West region of Ghana.

In partnership with Creative Associates International, we distributed a total of 180 to 80 groups (48 in Nadowli/Kaleo district and 32 in Sissala East Municipality) in 12 selected communities to deliver messages that address chieftaincy and land disputes, farmer-herder conflicts, illegal/irresponsible mining and the influx of violent extremist groups into the region.

So far we've seen a in behavior. Community members and Fulbe settlers now understand the importance of and are working diligently to sustain the projects impact after its completion.

Visit: https://www.amplio.org/ to learn more.
Photo Credit: Christine, Chee, Isaac, Vitus.

Our valued Board Members, Executive Director and Operations Manager from the embarked on an enriching journey to this week. The purpose of their visit was multifaceted, encompassing strategic discussions, collaborative planning, and creating stronger connections with the Ghana-based team and partners.

During their visit, the entire team engaged in crucial dialogues that focused on aligning our collective vision for continued and .

They also met with our cherished partner organizations including Creative Associates International and ACDI/VOCA, strengthening existing relationships and exploring potential avenues for future collaborations to contribute to the development of that address the unique challenges faced by vulnerable communities across northern Ghana.

As a gesture of warm hospitality Amplio's Ghanaian colleagues presented their visiting counterparts with beautiful smocks, fostering a sense of unity throughout the organization.

At Amplio, sustainable progress means shifting mindsets and behaviors. Our community-driven social and behavior change interventions are key.

Through activities like dialogues, storytelling, and interactive Talking Book discussions, we reshape perspectives on health, education, livelihoods and conflict.

Communities become their own agents of change. We remain committed to holistic solutions driving lasting positive change.

Amplio would like to extend sincere appreciation to all who engaged with our team at this year's . The opportunity to share the impact of our work in rural communities, meet partners from UNICEF Ghana, and Catholic Relief Services, learn about for from other organizations including , , , etc, and identify potential collaborations was tremendously valuable.

Kicking off an exciting week at the in Ghana! Today, we were excited to partake and learn more about and its power to drive through an insightful workshop by .

This immersive session explored using for targeted interventions in Social & Behavior Change (SBC) interventions. Just the start of 4 days packed with innovation! 🚀

Catch us tomorow between 8am and 5pm at Alisa Hotel. We will be exhibiting, networking and exchanging knowledge on how are impacting the world!

CAREGhana, through a partnership with Amplio Ghana brought Amplio Talking Books, to Women and their families in cocoa growing communities to strengthen financial literacy, household savings, and income-generating activities for women. Today we are celebrating resilient women cocoa farmers on !

Through our partnerships, women in rural communities have gained vital knowledge - from land rights to product packaging to family health practices.

Their determination to making a difference is unstoppable. Cheers to all the powerful women creating positive change!

Read more about CARE's Women for Change project here: https://lnkd.in/dRRhrVvR

Tostan faced challenges in using their Reinforcement of Parental Practices (RPP) module for sharing vital (ECD) information and tips with low-literacy caregivers in rural communities in Senegal.

When they learned about Amplio's , they recognized an opportunity for collaboration to facilitate the dissemination of these Vroom Tips more effectively.

Beyond their desire to make early childhood development knowledge broadly accessible to caregivers, Tostan also sought a resource that caregivers could retain to assist them in continually applying and accurately sharing their newly acquired ECD knowledge.

Through group workshops and home visits, Tostan introduced these accessible audio tips to over 7,000 caregivers across 30 communities. This powerful collaboration between Tostan, the Vroom team, and Amplio brought ECD practices to caregivers, overcoming literacy and technology barriers.

Check out a recent case study about this project by Vroom:https://assets.ctfassets.net/khbu829tujdl/3xYUQQoURi1NQ5VCYl7MRL/5a65815ef33b635b4021270a18e9efb3/Tostan_Case_Story.pdf

Learn more here: https://www.amplio.org/post/early-learning-in-senegal-with-tostan-vroom-and-talking-books

Photo credit: Tostan

We proudly join the celebration of 's 67th Day.

Amplio is happy to be in partnership with organizations with a shared mission to drive change in in Ghana through and . Together, we've made strides in education, health, financial literacy and agriculture.

May our collaborative efforts create an even brighter path forward for all.
We celebrate Ghana's rich , and .

Happy Independence Day!

In partnership with Amplio, UNICEF Ghana implemented a Talking Book initiative in northern Ghana's rural villages that drove a significant improvement in handwashing habits, with the rate of people washing hands before meals rising markedly from 72% to 89% over the course of the health promotion project.

Delivering vital audio messages, these battery-powered devices specifically designed for low-literate populations with no internet access made healthcare more .

We successfully reached over 110,000 people with information on water, and , leading to an improvement in the use of tippy taps and latrines (rather than ).



Read our case study➡️https://www.amplio.org/_files/ugd/b4c77e_b1d8269683984bb594d9d311f5a61463.pdf

At Amplio Network, transparency, learning, respect, responsibility, and partnership are at the heart of what we do.

We operate openly, foster ongoing growth, respect all people, take our duties seriously, and partner for greater reach.

Our values guide the use of our digital technology for knowledge sharing to empower vulnerable communities, and drive positive change for the underserved.

Next step after inception meetings in the 9 districts where Amplio is implementing the USAID-funded Feed the Future Ghana Market Systems and Resilience Activity, is content recording.

We are recording agricultural audio content in four local languages - Funsi-Sisali, Dagaare, Dagbani, and Mampruli in the form of drama and expert interviews.

Messages cut across best practices for crops such as maize, shea, bambara beans, soybean, cowpea, groundnut, moringa and vegetables, optimal land and seed selection, effective pest and disease control to maximize yields, among others.

Amplio will distribute this vital agricultural information via Talking Books to boost productivity for farmers in target communities.

-uri

We are grateful to have partnered with professor -Laure Fayard and family to feature Gilbert Nkpeniyeng's story on their "Tales of the Field and Design Thinking Roundtable" podcast.

By spotlighting how accessing educational messages via Talking Books sparked Gilbert's journey from rural Ghana to Cambridge, this episode encapsulates our mission of knowledge-sharing to empower communities worldwide.

Deep thanks to all who helped produce this - especially Gilbert for openly recounting his inspirational path.

Erin Inclan Fidelis A Da-uri STAR-Ghana Foundation

Listen to the Podcast here : https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/tales-of-the-field-amplio-talking-books-in-ghana/id1613526046?i=1000644322392

Led by ACDI/VOCA, the USAID Feed the Future Ghana Market Systems and Resilience (MSR) Activity is a five-year, $35.9M follow-on project to USAID/Ghana ADVANCE II.

As a selected sub-grantee, Amplio will play a key role through deploying our Talking Book technology to deliver educational content that fuels inclusive agriculture-sector growth.

We convened inception meetings with stakeholders across nine districts in Ghana's Northern, North East and Upper West Regions. These interactive sessions allowed for sharing ideas and insights to inform plans and approach and to build rapport and confidence that all stakeholders are committed to the project success.

Learn more about this exciting USAID initiative and Amplio's involvement through the links below! [https://www.amplio.org/post/amplio-to-promote-inclusive-agriculture-extension-services-in-northern-ghana -eqrxw353177] & [https://www.acdivoca.org/projects/feed-the-future-ghana-market-systems-and-resilience/]

For those living in rural communities, the growing digital divide presents a barrier to accessing information.

Poor infrastructure like roads, electricity, and internet connectivity hampers mobility and communication. However, we have a solution to reach the underserved.

The Amplio Talking Book device helps community health workers and agricultural extension agents to share knowledge without being limited by rural infrastructure challenges. Users can listen to audio content on health, agriculture, finance, social cohesion and more.

Additionally, the Talking Book allows for two-way sharing thanks to its built-in feedback feature. Community members can privately ask questions, share thoughts, or voice concerns.

This takes engagement to the next level despite limitations posed by remote rural settings.

Simon Tang and Thelma Anike, representing Amplio Network were super excited to participate and exhibit at Africa's 2024 Agricultural Festival themed "Feeding West Africa Sustainably: Creating Strong Ecosystems for Investment in Women-Owned Agribusinesses" on Thursday, January 18th, in Tamale, Ghana.

Hosted by MANYE GHFINESTFARMER and hayi moomen, highlighted incredible female entrepreneurs including Anna Samaké, driving across West Africa. This festival provided a platform for building connections with investors, agric enthusiasts, produce buyers and women agripreneurs accelerating progress in northern Ghana.

At its core doubled as a space where the hard work and ingenuity of farmers were recognized, applauded, and amplified. We had expert panelists like Dr. Linda Dari, Anatu Ben-Lawal and Kofi Gyamfi discussing the status of sustainable agriculture in West Africa.

Mr MUSAH TAYLOR, current Deputy Chief of Party under the Ghana Market Systems and Resilience (MSR) activity delivered a presentation summarizing the purpose and goals of MSR highlighting it's aim of linking smallholders to markets, inputs, and services in Ghana. (read more about MSR: https://lnkd.in/dd6BGFRF).

Aligned with the event's theme, Amplio showcased its approach to supporting women in agriculture through our that share knowledge on women's land rights and farming best practices among others, with women's groups and underserved communities around the world.

Thank you MBC Africa for organizing this impactful gathering. We appreciate the opportunity to witness the program firsthand and join the movement for .

Today, the Amplio Ghana team met with Olivier Girard and Margaret A Kyiu from Creative Associates International who were pleased to introduce a new Senior Program Development Officer, Abdul-Malik Abukari working on the Littorals Regional Initiative (LRI).

He was introduced to Amplio's GHA051 project geared towards “Promoting Positive Behaviors in Upper West Conflict Risk Border Communities.”

Join us in welcoming Abdul-Malik Abukari as we continue enabling peace and prosperity in northern Ghana! ⁠



Pictured in group photo left to right: Margaret A Kyiu, Simon Tang, Abdul-Malik Abukari, Gumah Aloysius Tiah, Olivier Girard and Danaa Fuseini.