The Ghana Book Development Council (GBDC), an Agency under the Ministry of Education, is kick-starting a reading promotion programme in the Shai Osudoku District in the Greater Accra region.

The exercise which began February 2019 forms part of it campaign, dubbed, “Learn to Read; Read to Learn” aimed at promoting reading among Basic school children. The campaign which was launched in June 2018 also ensures that Book booths stocked with assorted reading books which are indigenously produced are provided to public Basic schools, to supplement school libraries or serve as libraries in schools without library facilities.

Speaking about the importance of the exercise, the Executive Director of Ghana Book Development Council, Mrs Ernesticia Lartey Asuinura, said, “it is important that every child, no matter where he or she lives, is exposed to books and the benefits of life-long reading right from infancy. Apart from the vocabulary and knowledge one acquires from reading books, reading is also a very good exercise for the brain and sharpens our intelligence. Therefore everybody, especially children, must learn to read and read to learn for life.”

The District Director of Education for Shai Osudoku, Mrs Elizabeth Awoonor-Williams, also said the district was privileged to be chosen to implement the reading promotion programme. She further emphasized her commitment in ensuring the programme is implemented successfully. She added, “This programme would go a long way to improve the reading and creative skills of the pupils in the district for a brighter future tomorrow.

The Ghana Book Development Council (GBDC) is an Agency under the Ministry of Education mandated to oversee the development, regulation and effective planning of the Book industry in the country. One of its functions is to promote reading and creative-writing among school children.