Increasing Literacy

Adequate literacy can set a child on a path to success. On 20 February, in partnership with United Way Ghana, Ford South Africa set up a Reading Oasis in Onwe, in the Ashanti Region, to engage young learners through fun and interactive literacy activities. With support from Ghana Library Authority, United Way Ghana made books available to 121 young learners, assisted by 10 trained volunteers who read and narrated several stories to them.

During the pre-assessment of the young learners’ reading proficiency, they discovered that only 56% of the young people could read age-appropriate books. After engaging them weekly for five months, the percentage increased to 92%. Though the initial program has ended, the community leaders have taken up the mantle to continue running the program under the guidance of United Way Ghana and the Ghana Library Authority.

Bright Agyei Ababio, one of the beneficiaries, reflected, “At first, I did not like reading my notes and textbooks because it was difficult for me to read and understand them. But now, I enjoy reading, so I always read my notes. Thank you, Ford South Africa and United Way Ghana, for helping me to discover my love for reading.”