By Morkporkpor ANKU
Accra, Nov. 15, GNA – Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, the Deputy Minister for General Education, says 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.”
Rev. Fordjour was speaking at the finals of the Second National Reading Festival in Accra on the theme: “Reading Treasures: Uncovering Hidden Riches.”
The National Reading Festival is an annual event organised by the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service and Ghana Library Authority (GhLA), in collaboration with the USAID through the Ghana Strengthening Accountability in Ghana’s Education System (SAGES).
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, others) in a conversation about the importance of reading for national development.
It was also to raise the profile of the library sector as key stakeholders in supporting education and life-long learning and 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 said the government believed that every child should have access to these treasures because they were not just stories; they were pathways to understanding the world and themselves.
He called on learners, parents, teachers, and community members to become treasure hunters, adding that “Let us make reading an adventurous quest.”
He urged stakeholders to organize reading challenges in schools, create community book exchanges, or host storytelling nights where they could share their favorite 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.
Rev Fordjour said together, they could ensure that every child could uncover their own hidden treasures through literature.
He urged learners that the true treasure lay not just in what they read but in how they applied those lessons to their lives, “Let us inspire each other to seek out these hidden riches with curiosity and passion.”
He said each book was a key that unlocked new worlds, introduced them to remarkable characters, and unveiled profound ideas that could change their lives.
“Just like a treasure map leading us to hidden ornaments, every page turned is a step closer to uncovering the riches of wisdom and creativity,” he said.
Ms Rasheena Reid, USAID/Ghana Education Office Director, said the United States through the USAID provided over $120,000 (over 1.9 million Ghanaian Cedis) to organize the 2024 regional and national reading festivals for Ghanaian children.
She said, “In today’s digital age, literacy remains the foundation of all learning. With each book open, we gain new ideas, cultures, and perspectives on life.”
She said this year’s funding covers 3,388 public primary schools in the Northern, North East, Upper East, and Upper West regions.
“This broad approach ensures that the impact of improved reading instruction reaches children throughout these areas, leaving no child behind,” Ms Reid added.
The United States is Ghana’s largest bilateral development partner and in 2023, USAID bilateral development assistance totalled over $150 million.
This funding covered education, agriculture, economic growth, health, governance, and more.
At the end of the contest, for the Basic 1 level, Master Hallelujah Acquah, representing the Western Region, emerged as the winner of the 2024 National Reading Festival.
Master Bernard Ofori from the Bono Region secured the 2nd position, while Master Adjei Emmanuel from the Ahafo Region placed 3rd.
In the Basic 2 category, Miss Samuella Essandoh from Agona West, representing the Central Region, claimed 1st position, while Miss Ama Nyantakyiwaa from Ahafo Region took 2nd place, and Miss Betty A. Ndage, representing the Bono East Region finished 3rd.
For the Basic 3 category, Master Eugene Magnus Bart Plange, representing the Western Region, secured the 1st position with Master Destiny Ballans from Bono East placing 2nd, while Ahafo’s representative, Miss Mariam Seidu, came 3rd.
GNA