Accra, Dec. 12, GNA – The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has ended its three-year Unlock Literacy Project with over 10,000 pupils from Afram Plains enclave, improving their reading skills significantly.
The Unlock Literacy project implemented by World Vision Ghana is an evidence-based literacy approach to improve children’s core reading skills and also improve teaching methods for classroom reading as well as engaging students, families and communities in reading activities outside the school.
The project funded by KOICA at a cost $1.5 million was undertaken in the Afram Plains North and South Municipalities (2019-21) with more than 10,000 children from 80 communities being able to read with comprehension by the completion of grade three.
Thus, 53 per cent of boys and girls from these communities are able to read fast and better in the Mother Language as well as other languages.
Mr. John Ntim Fordjour, Deputy Minister for Education, speaking at the dissemination and closing ceremony in Accra, lauded World Vision and KOICA for the laudable initiative and assured them of government’s continued partnership.
“Literacy skills have become fundamental to making informed decisions, personal empowerment as well as participation in the local and global community.
“At the SDG Summit held in New York in 2015, world leaders agreed on a global partnership to work collectively to eradicate poverty, hunger, disease and also improve upon the lives of people. One of such goals is to ensure an inclusive and equitable quality education and also promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
“The Unlock Literacy project is to augment government’s efforts in achieving this goal and we are most grateful.
“The government’s priority in education is to make sure every child literate have access to basic education. This is evidenced by the government’s support for numerous interventions such as the USAID Partnerships for learning and Unlock Literacy,” he said.
He implored the district education offices to work hard to sustain the project and should make it becomes more viable and urged stakeholders to make sure that the gains made are sustained.
Mr. Moo Heon Kong, Country Director KOICA Ghana in his remarks stated their global strategic vision for inclusive development through quality education and also ensuring the right to education for all.
“This project has been a holistic and evidence-based approach but not without its share of challenges. And I am delighted to see that we have achieved remarkable results as anticipated over those challenges based on every stakeholder’s commitment and endless endeavour,” he said.
Madam Betty Nana Efua Krosby Mensah, Member of Parliament for Afram Plains North, in her address at the event, lauded KOICA and World Vision for the nitiative which had benefited many children in her constituency.
She however lamented on the inadequate educational infrastructure and the teacher deficit in the area which made it difficult in undertaking the project.
The Unlock Literacy programme recently won the UNESCO Prize for Education for Sustainable development back in November.
GNA