By Kodjo Adams/Christabel Kporvie
Accra, Sept. 6, GNA – Professor George K. T. Oduro, the Technical Advisor to the Minister of Education, has called for renewed commitment and stronger partnerships to advance literacy and lifelong learning in Ghana.
He said continuous learning was essential to equipping citizens with the knowledge and skills required for national development.
Prof Oduro made the call at a stakeholders’ engagement to mark the International Literacy Day, celebrated on September 8.
It was on the theme: “Emerging Issues, Challenges and Opportunities in Literacy and Lifelong Learning in Ghana.”
He said literacy and lifelong learning should not be treated merely as educational concepts but as essential components of individual and national development.
“Learning is a lifelong journey,” he said, stressing that just as people cannot stop ageing, “we cannot and must not stop learning.”
Prof Oduro said a learning society must provide opportunities for people to continually acquire knowledge, skills and competencies regardless of their age or circumstances.
He noted that available national and international data showed that Ghana had made significant progress in literacy, although estimates from different sources varied.
The progress provided a strong foundation for renewed efforts to ensure that every Ghanaian acquired the competencies necessary to participate meaningfully in national development, Prof Oduro said.
The Government, he said, viewed literacy as resting on four key pillars: language, mathematics, science, and cultural literacy.
He explained that language literacy enabled people to read, write, communicate effectively, comprehend information and participate confidently in society.
Mathematics literacy, Prof Oduro noted, was necessary for quantitative reasoning, problem-solving, managing personal and household resources, interpreting data and making informed decisions in everyday life.
He said Science literacy enabled citizens to understand the natural and technological world, apply evidence-based reasoning, and respond appropriately to health, environmental and technological challenges.
He identified cultural literacy as equally important, saying it helped citizens to understand, appreciate and preserve Ghana’s diverse histories, languages, values, traditions and identities while promoting peaceful coexistence and national cohesion.
Prof Oduro said the four pillars must be strengthened within a lifelong learning framework because globalisation, technological advancement and the rapidly changing knowledge economy were making continuous skills development increasingly important.
“Learning can no longer be confined to the classroom,” he said, noting that learning opportunities should extend to homes, communities, workplaces and digital platforms.
He acknowledged challenges confronting literacy and lifelong learning programmes, including inadequate and unpredictable funding, limited learning materials and well-trained personnel.
He called for stronger collaboration among government, development partners, civil society organisations, communities and other stakeholders to help address those challenges.
“A literate society is an empowered, healthy and productive society,” Prof. Oduro added.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Kodjo Adams [email protected]