SERVICE THROUGH CREATIVITY AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – Livingstone Delali Agbo

During my first two semesters as a Master of Social Work student at the University of Delhi , I was placed with Sanjeevani Life Beyond Cancer (LBC) for my fieldwork. Sanjeevani LBC is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing holistic and comprehensive cancer care across India. Under the guidance of my fieldwork and agency supervisors, I was introduced to a new realm of community health education , patient care, and stakeholder engagement . As part of my fieldwork experience, I took the insights and tools gained from Sanjeevani and conducted  cancer prevention and healthy lifestyle awareness events in selected senior high schools,  churches, and other institutions in Ghana . Through these events, I was privileged to reach and impact over 2,050 participants . Livingstone facilitated a session on cancer prevention and healthy lifestyle for students at Human Factor Leadership Academy Senior High School This experience sharpened my skills in public speaking, stakeholde...

I’m beyond excited to share a major highlight from my creative journey. I was recently selected as one of the artists for the Diversity in Neuroscience project, an inspiring initiative by GH Scientific , supported by the International Brain Research Organisation (IBRO) . This project brings together science and art to tell powerful stories about brain research in Africa. I had the honour of creating two original pieces: The Guardians of the Mind and The Healing Touch of Nature . Livingstone Delali Agbo worked on art projects for  the  Diversity in Neuroscience  project. 🎨 The Guardians of the Mind This piece was inspired by the groundbreaking work of Prof. Patrick Amoateng , whose research focuses on epilepsy, psychosis, depression, and other neurological disorders . My artwork presents an abstract form of the human brain, divided into sections that represent various mental health challenges. Surrounding the brain are guardian-like figures, symbolic protectors repres...

Why Creativity in the Classroom Matters Across the world, millions of children sit in classrooms every day without truly being included in the learning process. Barriers such as poverty, disability, rigid teaching methods, and unequal access to resources continue to limit their potential. My Master’s research at the Department of Social Work, University of Delhi , set out to explore one central question: How does creative teaching help make education more inclusive, engaging, and effective for all learners? Drawing on evidence from primary schools in Ghana and India , this research examined how creative teaching methods such as music, storytelling, drama, games, visual arts, and project-based learning can improve learning outcomes and promote inclusion, particularly for children in underserved contexts. Livingstone Delali Agbo engaged primary school students at the Ankase Matamalam Basic School, Ghana, to understand how they feel about their teachers and learning in the school. What...

When Misinformation Becomes Dangerous Breast cancer is one of the most talked-about cancers globally, yet in Ghana, it remains deeply misunderstood. During my work in cancer awareness and social work, I repeatedly encountered beliefs that were not only inaccurate but also  dangerous . From myths about bras and mobile phones to the belief that breast cancer affects only women , misinformation continues to delay screening and cost lives. This blog article draws from my conference research conducted during my fieldwork with Sanjeevani Life Beyond Cancer , combining academic literature with data gathered from awareness campaigns and surveys across Ghana .  Examples of the misconceptions captured in students' artworks during the awareness campaign at Ave-Dapka Senior High School. Understanding Breast Cancer Beyond the Myths Breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in breast tissue, most often in the ducts or lobules. According to the World Health Organizatio...

When we signed up as fellows with Lead For Ghana in 2016, we knew we were stepping into a space of transformation, but we didn’t fully grasp the depth of change we would experience and help shape. Assigned to Metsrikasa D/A Basic School in the Volta Region, my co-fellow Obed Nhyira Sam and I faced classrooms where many students struggled to read or write. What followed was a journey of learning, collaboration, and hope, a story of how purpose and perseverance can move the needle for underserved communities. In September 2016, Obed and I began teaching mathematics and English, respectively, at Metsrikasa D/A Basic School as part of Lead For Ghana’s pioneering fellowship cohort. We joined a national effort to expand educational opportunities for all Ghanaian children, especially those in under-resourced communities like Metsrikasa. Despite a solid six weeks of intensive training at Ashesi University, nothing could prepare us for the magnitude of the literacy challenges we encountered. ...

Growing up, school wasn’t easy for me. I struggled, especially with mathematics, and found the system harsh. But somehow, I’m here today: a proud educator and Lead For Ghana Fellow. This is not just my story. It’s a reflection on educational inequity, second chances, and why I believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, no matter where they come from. Livingstone Delali Agbo in a pose with pupils of Metsrikasa D/A Basic School. As a child, I found education incredibly difficult. I remember being caned repeatedly, and I wrestled constantly with mathematics. If it hadn't been for the persistence and care of my teachers, I might have dropped out as early as Class 3. In fact, I did leave school for a while. For nearly two months, I roamed the streets during school hours. Every morning, I’d dress in my uniform, take lunch money from my mother, and disappear, returning home only after school had closed. No one knew... until I was caught. This early experience taught me so...

We are all born into a world with different life outcomes. It is never a child’s fault to be born with a disability or to face conditions beyond their control. And yet, too often, society makes them feel left out. In 2017, during the Global Peace Games organised by FIFA and Play Soccer Ghana , I had the privilege of spending time with pupils at the Cape Coast School for the Deaf and Blind . It was a mixed feeling: joyful yet humbling. Livingstone plays cards with students of  Cape Coast School for the Deaf and Blind The smiles on their faces as we played together brought me so much happiness. The pupils engaged fully in the games they loved, creating an atmosphere of fun and belonging. And yet, there was also the sobering reality: they could not hear my words nor enjoy the music playing in the background. Communication was limited to gestures, a reminder of the barriers they face every single day. In that moment, I reflected on how even those of us who have voices often struggl...

Every movement begins with a moment. For me, it was volunteering during the Amuzudeve Easter Outreach Project in Ghana’s Volta Region. That experience helped shape my mindset, clarified my purpose, and ultimately inspired what is now known as “The Volunteering Experience (TVE),”  a DCA initiative focused on community impact through creative service. Livingstone showed some materials needed for tie-dye making during a training session for the community. I believe there’s a unique spirit that comes with volunteering, one that shifts your focus away from yourself and toward the needs of others. It humbles you, empowers you, and compels you to take action that improves lives, communities, and the world around you. Once you experience that shift, it’s hard to turn back. It changes your mindset, fuels your passion, and transforms your attitude toward life and leadership. I had the privilege of volunteering with the NeedBe Foundation , in partnership with Everyday People GH , durin...