By Tilda Acorlor
The Project Manager of a Non-Governmental Organisation, Savana Signatures, Raphael McClure Adomey says every child has the right to read and should have materials that make this statement possible.
He said this when he led a team from Savana Signatures to support schools with reading materials in Heve E.P. Basic School, Lume Agogoe Basic School, and the Adabraka E.A Basic School in the Ho and Hohoe Municipalities of the Volta Region.
The support to schools is a pilot program under Savana Signatures dubbed “My Book Buddy” project which seeks to stimulate language development, reading skills, imagination, and creativity. It has the potential to increase literacy awareness in schools and communities and integrates library resources into children’s learning environment.
My Book Buddy is also aimed at bringing the traditional library closer for easy learning and inculcating the habit of reading into children.
The support is worth several amounts of Ghana Cedis which included Bookcases, Books, Branded a variety of storybooks, Branded school bags for the children, notebooks and other learning paraphernalia.
Mr. Adomey noted that there is a growing concern about children not reading to develop their literacy and handwriting skills.
He said the reason is inadequate resources and the willingness to support these children with reading materials.
“Reading is gradually becoming unattractive,” he said.
“These books are not foreign books they are books by Ghanaian authors, reading will stimulate your children’s language development, and skills, it will make them perform better at school, and create literacy both at home and in the community,” he added.
The project manager reiterated that teachers should have sessions with the pupil where they can build their reading skills.
The Headteacher of Ho Heve E.P Basic School said: “on behalf of the Chief of Ho Heve, Togbui Anikpi III, SMC, PTA, Pupils and Staff of Ho Heve, we wish to express our deepest thanks to you and your organisation for such a wonderful gift and presentations. We are most grateful and God bless you thousand times. The Pupils of Ho Heve said, they will never forget Savana Signatures even as they grow. God bless Savana Signatures.”
They pledged the reading materials will be in good use for the benefit of the students.
“We are grateful to Savana Signatures and their directorate for the support, we promise to take good care of the books so academic work will be improved.”
The Chief Inspector of Schools at the Ho Municipal Education Directorate, Mr Ben Kofi Agbadzete, implored headteachers and teachers to allow students to access the books so that they will positively impact their lives.
“Please make good use of the books, the effect of the judicious use of these materials will make a positive impact on the lives of the students,” Mr Agbadzete said.
Savana Signatures is an NGO in Ghana and has its headquarters in Tamale and operational office in the Ho, the Volta Region of Ghana. Its mission is to initiate positive change among girls, women, youth, and vulnerable populations of Ghana using innovative solutions to facilitate their reproductive health and rights, quality education and skills development.
