Second National Reading Festival Held In Accra

The Ministry of Education in collaboration with Ghana Education Service (GES), the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID), and other partners have organised the second edition of the National Reading Festival in Accra.

The event which was on the theme, “Reading Treasures: Uncovering Hidden Riches,” was to foster a culture of reading and improve literacy among students in the country.

In a speech read on his behalf, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, the Deputy Minister for General Education, said the government is committed to nurturing a love for reading among young learners.

He said, “We are dedicated to providing resources like libraries filled with diverse books, trained educators, who inspire curiosity, and programmes that celebrate literacy in all its forms.”

The festival commenced with reading competitions from the Circuit Level, with winners coming together for the District Contest, and then the ultimate winner representing the Metropolitan/Municipal/District, proceeding to the Regional Level and finally to the National stage.

It encompasses several activities such as exhibitions, reading & spelling competitions, speeches, poetry recitals and cultural displays.

The festival was to sensitize community members on the significance of transforming learning spaces to support reading and learning and to engage community members (children, youth, parents, and others) in a conversation about the importance of reading for national development.

It was also to raise the profile of the library sector as a key stakeholder in supporting education and life-long learning to increase the number of patrons, especially children, visiting the library and to guide parents and guardians on how they can support reading by children.

The minister further urged stakeholders to organize reading obstacles in schools, create community book exchanges, or host storytelling nights where they could share their favourite tales.

“Let us turn our neighbourhoods into vibrant hubs of literacy where every child feels inspired to explore the hidden riches within books,” the Minister added.

He acknowledged the incredible organisations and individuals who have partnered with the Ministry in this endeavour, saying their dedication and support were invaluable as they worked together to cultivate a culture of reading across the nation.

USAID Ghana Education Office Director, Rasheena Reid, explained that in today’s digital age, literacy is the foundation of all learning and this year, USAID through the Strengthening Accountability in Ghana’s Education System activity (SAGES) is supporting reading festivals in Ghana, since this year’s funding covers 3,388 public schools in the Northern, North East, Upper East and Upper West regions.

She said, “This broad approach ensures that the impact of enhanced reading instruction reaches children throughout these areas, leaving no child behind.”

At the end of the contest, the winner of the basic national reading festival was Hallelujah Amoah from the Western Region, with Bernard Ofori from the Bono Region placing second, and Emmanuel Adjei from the Ahafo Region taking the third position.

For Basic Two, the winner of the contest was Samuella Esandoh from the Central Region, with Ama Nyantakyiwaa from the Ahafo Region placing second, and Lady Julia Boatemaa Samuels from the Bono East Region taking third place.

For Basic Three, the winner of the contest was Eugene Magnus Bart Plange from the Western Region, with Mary Afriyie Asuamah from Bono East taking second place and Mariam Siedu from Ahafo Region taking third place.Ato Kwame, Peace FM Newsroom