2024 National Reading Festival ends in Accra

The grand finale of the 2024 National Reading Festival has ended in Accra, showcasing the profound impact of reading on young learners.

The festival, organised by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Ghana Library Authority (GLA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), aimed to foster a culture of reading and improve literacy among students.

The festival, which included reading and spelling contests, speeches, poetry recitations and cultural exhibitions, was on the theme: "Reading treasures: Uncovering hidden riches".

The event was attended by educators, parents, government officials, primary school pupils, and literacy advocates across the country.

At the ceremony, the Greater-Accra Regional Education Director, Stephen Abamfo, emphasised the importance of reading, which he described as the gateway to imagination and knowledge.

"When we open a book, we are not just reading words but rather, we are embarking on an adventure that can transport us to different worlds," he said.

He further stated that books held "hidden treasures" in the form of lessons on culture, history and the human experience. He, therefore, urged young readers to explore various genres and uncover those riches.

The Eastern Regional Education Director, Dr Ivy Asantewa Owusu, emphasised that reading and understanding formed the foundation for a child's learning across all subjects.

“If a child cannot read and understand well, their foundation is weak. This applies to all subject areas, including mathematics and science,” she said.

Appeal

A survey, which was conducted by the West Africa for Worldreader in 2023, revealed that only seven per cent of students had books at home for reading purposes in Ghana.

Dr Owusu appealed to parents to take reading seriously and buy books for their children, revive the practice of evening reading sessions, and encourage the use of libraries among their children.

“We are using this platform to appeal to parents that they should take reading seriously. They should buy books for their children,” she said. 

Winners

The final competition had primary school pupils from basic one to two, representing all 16 regions.

At the Basic One level, Hallelujah Acquah, who represented the Western Region, emerged as the winner of the 2024 National Reading Festival, with Bernard Ofori from the Bono Region securing the second position, while Adjei Emmanuel from the Ahafo Region placed third.

For the Basic Two category, Samuella Essandoh from Agona West, representing the Central Region, claimed the first position and Ama Nyantakyiwaa from Ahafo, took the second place, while Betty A. Ndage, representing the Bono East Region, finished third.

At the Basic Three category, Eugene Magnus Bart Plange, representing the Western Region, secured the first position and Destiny Ballans from Bono East placed second, while Ahafo’s representative, Mariam Seidu, came third.