SAN FRANCISCO/ SEPTEMBER 25, 2018/ Worldreader, the global nonprofit that helps the world read, in partnership with the Ghana Ministry of Education, today announces the launch of Ghana’s first-ever annual National Reading Day, bringing together the non-profit, private and public sectors to promote reading and celebrate life-changing reading initiatives across Ghana and Africa. Worldreader and the Ministry seek to raise awareness of the importance of reading, recognize readers throughout the country and highlight a large scale digital reading joint initiative between Worldreader and the Municipal Education Office in Kwaebibirem, called Ghana District Scale and supported by Amazon and private philanthropists.
As part of this initiative, Worldreader and the Ghana Ministry of Education are promoting reading via reading festivals, essay competitions and related events organized by the Ministry via the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, Ghana Library Authority, Non Formal Education Division and the Ghana Book Development Council. On National Reading Day, in every region of the country, reading activities are taking place. The Ghana Ministry of Education is working to empower its agencies to be innovative and creative to improve the reading culture in the country.
“We hope that through the institution of National Reading Day, we can encourage all key stakeholders to continue their efforts in helping us create a more literate nation,” said Dr. Adutwum, Deputy Minister of Education (General Education), Ghana Ministry of Education. “There is a deep need to amplify and better inform the public of the power of reading and the current Ministry initiatives to help communities read, learn and grow. The Ministry is seeking to stay creative and smart about improving literacy and reading skills among the youth across the nation and is thrilled to be using digital means to do so. We look forward to improving the culture of reading across Ghana with the help of organizations such as Worldreader.”
To mark the occasion, Worldreader Ghana Board member and Ghana’s beloved Rap Doctor, Okyeame Kwame along with his children, is supporting National Reading Day by launching a song and video about the power of reading to improve lives, titled Read. “Music is a powerful tool for inspiring and motivating the masses. It should also be used to help redefine and transform attitudes about reading among the youth. This is what we aim to achieve with this song,” stated Okyeame.
Citizens in Ghana can join National Reading Day by posting pictures and videos on social media channels, dancing to Okyeame’s reading song and using the hashtags #NationalReadingDay and #ReadingChallenge.
Amazon is supporting the National Reading Day effort by donating 10,000 Kindle devices to Worldreader over the next three years. The Ghana District Scale project will benefit from Amazon’s support and will be key in galvanizing entire communities around reading at the primary school level.
“Amazon and Worldreader share a belief that digital reading can create new reading and learning opportunities for people around the world,” said Sherif Yacoub, Vice President, Kindle. “We’re thrilled to support Worldreader and believe the Ghana District Scale project and National Reading Day will help strengthen reading in Ghanaian communities.”
A launch event will be held at the British Council in Accra, Ghana to commemorate National Reading Day with keynotes from the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Adutwum and Worldreader CEO and Co-Founder, David Risher. Ghanaian Musician and Worldreader Board member, Okyeame Kwame and his children Sante and Sir Kwame will also release their reading song and music video during the launch. On September 27th, Worldreader will hold a final reading durbar in Kwaebibirem, mobilizing parents, community members and invited guests to actively participate in reading initiatives.
“Reading is opportunity. It sets free the potential locked up in all of us. Worldreader aims to help a billion people read so they become tomorrow’s scientists, doctors, inventors, and explorers,” said David Risher, Worldreader’s CEO & Co-Founder. “We’re proud to be partnering with like-minded organizations in Ghana and around the world to build a culture of reading and help thousands improve their lives.”
Worldreader, the Ghana Ministry of Education and Okyeame Kwame encourage all citizens of Ghana to participate in Ghana’s first annual National Reading Day by sharing their reading moments on social media channels such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp. Just use the hashtag #NationalReadingDay #ReadingChallenge. Citizens are encouraged to post photos and videos of reading moments and/or dancing to Okeayame’s song, which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/OneMicGh.