Freda Acheampong wins 4th Otumfuo Community Reading Challenge
A 14-year-old pupil of the Mensah Saahene M/A Junior High School (JHS) in the Mampong Municipality in the Ashanti Region, Freda Owusuaa Acheampong, has won the 2025 edition of the Otumfuo Community Reading Challenge (OCRC).
With the maiden edition held in 2021 and spearheaded by the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation, the OCRC aims to enhance the literacy skills of JHS pupils in reading both English and Twi.
This year’s edition saw the participation of candidates from 60 communities drawn from across the region, with five finalists, made up of five girls, making it to the grand finale.
Outcome
At the end of the close all-girls contest, Owusuaa Acheampong had 93.5 points to win the challenge. Rose Korkor, 14, of the Kunsu Camp D/A JHS in the Ahafo Ano South West District had 93.2 points to place second.
Afia Henewah Annin of the Obuasi SDA JHS secured 92.5 points to win the third position, while Magdalene Duodu Akwabang, a pupil of the Manuel International School in the Atwima Kwanwoma District, had 91.1 points to clinch the fourth position.
Josephine Afrifa Kuffuor, a 13-year-old pupil of the Prempeh Experimental Basic School, won the fifth position with 90.5 points.
The winner received GH¢10,000 and other assorted items, including a fully funded university scholarship. Her basic school received GH¢10,000 as well.
The finalists, who placed second to the fifth positions together with their basic schools, received GH¢6,000, GH¢4,000, GH¢3,000 and GH¢2,000 each.
As part of the prize package, all five finalists would embark on a sponsored trip to the United Kingdom (UK).
The competition was on the theme: “Promoting English and Twi reading among JHS students”.
Commendation
Addressing the ceremony held at the Jubilee Hall, Manhyia Palace, last Friday, the Chief of Feyiase, Nana Addae Gyamera, commended the Asantehene for instituting the event, which is intended to improve the academic performance of the pupils in English Language and Twi.
He underscored the importance of encouraging reading among pupils, as it builds their confidence and helps them see beyond their surroundings and dream beyond their circumstances.
He said, “In a world that ticks by the second, a reader is never left behind as he or she is abreast of all happenings through reading”, and stressed that when a child reads constantly, it would result in the nation's development.”
He urged parents and school authorities to invest in physical and electronic books to build the capacity of school pupils and students and enable them to catch up with the ever-changing global world.
Well-received
The Board Chairman of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation, Nana Professor Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene II, expressed delight that the event had been well-received since its inception.
He stated that the OCRC continued to encourage pupils to embrace reading as a very important aspect of their educational paradigm, stressing “undoubtedly, better reading skills among pupils is key towards achieving better academic outcomes.”
He advised the school pupils to be disciplined in their academic pursuits, as it is the surest way to attain better laurels academically.
He further entreated parents to instil a high level of discipline in the children in the house for their mutual benefit.
While lauding the finalists for giving a good account of themselves and charging them to continue to excel up to the tertiary level, he said the challenge, as envisioned by the Asantehene, would become a flagship event under the foundation’s educational agenda.
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