Accra, Aug. 7, GNA - The fifth Pan African Reading Conference opened in Accra on Tuesday with a call on African governments to make human resources development the thrust for growth and development. "We should focus on raising investment in people and knowledge, promote the acquisition of basic skills, including digital literacy and broaden opportunities for innovations and adaptation of flexible modular for learning," Professor Dominic Fobi, Minister of Education, Science and Sports (MESS) stated.

The conference was under the theme; "Literacy for Human Liberation."

Prof Fobi whose speech was for him, urged African governments to recognise challenges posed to Africa's growth and development by the rapid transformation in information, communication and technology. He mentioned rapid growth of scientific-technological change, social-cultural change, the threat of obsolescence, psychological threats and the threat to traditional education as basic problems that Africans must embrace to operate effectively in the global market. He called for urgent actions through reforms and recognition of education as the master key with a multi purpose usage to open the door to prosperity while closing the door to poverty and under development. Prof Fobi said Africa needed enlightened people to drive the continent's development agenda.

The four-day Conference seeks to promote the culture of reading in schools and colleges and assist in reducing the high illiteracy rate in Africa.

It would also offer Africa a common voice to speak on the world platform on literacy education and reading technology. Speakers included Professor Clifford Nii Boye Tagoe, Vice Chancellor of University of Ghana, Prof Barbara Walker, president-elect of International Reading Association, Mr Sam Andema, Chairman of International Development in Africa Committee and Prof Miranda Greenstreet, former Director, Institute of Adult Education.