Ho, Sept. 9, GNA - Papa Owusu Ankomah, Minister of Education, Science and Sports on Friday stated that apart from providing reading, writing and numerical skills, National Functional Literacy Programme (NFLP) was improving living standards of many Ghanaians through income generating activities.

He observed that, currently, 311 income-generating groups in the 10 Regions had been supported with credit facilities from the NFLP's recycling fund.

Papa Owusu Ankomah made the observation in a speech read on his behalf at the celebration of this year's International Literacy Day in Ho under the theme; "National Commitment and Support, Key to Sustainable Functional Literacy Programme".

The Minister said in 2005 alone, a total of 568,000,000 million cedis were disbursed to 200 groups throughout the country. He said, in addition, majority of the groups were also being linked up to micro financial institutions for credit support which had started yielding positive results.

Papa Owusu Ankomah said beneficiaries of the programme also acquired functional knowledge in family planning, drug abuse, child labour, teenage pregnancy, afforestation and improved agriculture among others.

"Our learners therefore, are now respected and are more articulate and confident. They no longer feel dejected, isolated and ignorant," he said.

Papa Owusu Ankomah underscored the importance of the programme, adding that, it had become increasingly clear that no nation cold achieve meaningful development with a predominantly illiterate population.

The Minister therefore, appealed to civil society and other Non-Governmental Organisations to complement government's effort in sustaining and extending the programme to reach the rest 47 per cent illiterate population of the country.

He also called for a concerted effort from all to consolidate the gains already made by the programme by creating opportunities for graduate learners to contribute more effectively to the improvement of the socio-economic conditions of their communities.

Mr Kofi Dzamesi, Volta Regional Minister disclosed that 60 per cent of the Region's population was illiterate, a phenomenon which, he said, was hindering the socio-economic development of the Region. He appealed to the authorities of the NFLP to work harder and ensure that their impact as well are felt in the Region. Mr. Dzamesi pledged the support of the Volta Regional Co-ordinating Council to help eradicate illiteracy as part of government's effort in moving the Region forward.

Madam Eunice Dapaah, World Bank Representative, commended the programme and urged authorities to make monitoring and evaluation an integral part of the programme.

She assured her outfit's continuous support to the programme to help eradicate illiteracy in the country.