Ghana Education Ministry Renews Pledge to Enhance Literacy Skills Amid Declining Reading Proficiency

Discover how Ghana’s Ministry of Education is tackling falling reading abilities in primary schools through festivals like iREAD and the National Reading Festival. Key insights for educators, parents, and policymakers.

Introduction

Ghana’s Education Ministry has reaffirmed its strong commitment to boosting literacy rates among basic school pupils, addressing a national concern over declining foundational reading skills. This pledge came during the inaugural iREAD Festival in Accra, organized by the iREAD Ghana Foundation in partnership with Baatsonaa Junior High School ‘B’. Under the theme “Read Today, Lead Tomorrow,” the event highlighted the urgency of reversing trends in poor reading proficiency revealed by nationwide assessments.

Foundational literacy forms the bedrock of educational success, enabling students to comprehend texts, think critically, and excel academically. In Ghana, early-grade reading assessments, such as those conducted annually, have consistently shown drops in oral reading fluency and comprehension among primary pupils. The Ministry’s interventions aim to foster a nationwide reading culture, making events like the iREAD Festival pivotal in this effort.

Why Literacy Matters in Ghana’s Education Landscape

Literacy is not just about decoding words; it’s essential for lifelong learning and national development. According to verified reports from Ghana’s educational bodies, strong reading skills correlate with better performance in math, science, and overall schooling outcomes. The iREAD Festival exemplifies practical steps to ignite passion for reading among young learners.

Analysis

The Education Ministry’s renewed dedication signals a proactive response to empirical data from national standardized tests, which indicate persistent declines in basic reading abilities across public primary schools. Principal Programme Officer Isaac Atta Baah, speaking for the Minister, emphasized ongoing interventions to strengthen foundational literacy.

This commitment builds on established programs like the annual National Reading Festival, which the Ministry organizes to promote reading habits. The iREAD Festival complements these by featuring interactive activities tailored to engage pupils, demonstrating a multi-faceted approach to literacy enhancement.

Declining Reading Skills: Data-Driven Insights

Nationwide early-grade reading assessments (EGRA) in Ghana have documented year-on-year drops in key metrics, such as words read correctly per minute and comprehension accuracy. Public schools, serving the majority of pupils, face resource constraints exacerbating this issue. The Ministry’s strategy focuses on scalable interventions, including school-led festivals, to address these gaps.

Role of Partnerships in Literacy Initiatives

Collaborations between foundations like iREAD Ghana and local schools, such as Baatsonaa JHS ‘B’, amplify impact. Headmistress Akua Serwaa Yankey highlighted the lack of dedicated libraries as a barrier, underscoring the need for infrastructure to support consistent access to books.

Summary

In summary, the Education Ministry’s reaffirmation at the iREAD Festival underscores a holistic push to improve literacy amid declining reading skills in Ghana. Key highlights include support for reading festivals, diverse event activities, calls for library establishment, and pupil enthusiasm. Organizers advocate for broader stakeholder collaboration to sustain these efforts nationwide.

This event not only celebrated reading but also spotlighted actionable steps toward reversing literacy declines, aligning with the Ministry’s annual National Reading Festival.

Key Points

Practical Advice

To support Ghana’s literacy boost, educators, parents, and communities can adopt these verifiable, evidence-based strategies drawn from successful reading interventions.

For Teachers: Implementing Daily Reading Routines

Incorporate 20-30 minutes of daily guided reading in class, focusing on phonics and comprehension. Use activities from festivals like spelling bees to make sessions engaging, as proven effective in EGRA improvement programs.

For Parents: Home Reading Habits

Read aloud to children nightly, discuss stories, and visit local libraries. Programs like Ghana’s National Reading Festival provide free resources; parents can replicate festival contests at home to build enthusiasm.

For Schools: Building Literacy Infrastructure

Prioritize library setups, as urged by Headmistress Yankey. Partner with NGOs for book donations and organize mini-festivals modeled on iREAD to sustain reading culture.

Community Involvement

Stakeholders should fund and volunteer for events, ensuring sustained access to books and motivational programs, mirroring the iREAD model.

Points of Caution

While initiatives like the iREAD Festival are promising, caution is needed to ensure long-term success.

Avoiding One-Off Events

Festivals must integrate into curricula, not remain isolated; otherwise, gains in reading skills may fade, as seen in past short-term programs.

Addressing Resource Gaps

Public schools’ lack of libraries hinders progress; without targeted funding, appeals like those from Baatsonaa JHS risk going unheeded.

Monitoring Progress

Rely on annual EGRA tests for measurable outcomes, avoiding anecdotal success stories alone.

Inclusivity in Programs

Ensure rural schools benefit equally, as urban events like iREAD in Accra may not scale without national coordination.

Comparison

Comparing the iREAD Festival to the Education Ministry’s National Reading Festival reveals synergies in approach. Both emphasize fun, competitive activities to promote literacy, but iREAD is school-specific and foundation-led, while the National event is government-orchestrated annually across regions.

Versus International Models

Ghana’s efforts align with UNESCO-backed programs like the African Storybook Project, which provides free digital books to combat declining reading skills in sub-Saharan Africa. Unlike Kenya’s successful Tusome Pamoja initiative—boosting oral reading fluency by 30% through scripted lessons—Ghana focuses more on festivals, suggesting potential for hybrid models.

Past vs. Present Ministry Efforts

Previous years’ National Reading Festivals have increased participation, but persistent EGRA declines indicate the need for iREAD-like innovations to complement them.

Legal Implications

Ghana’s Education Act (2008) mandates free, compulsory basic education, implicitly requiring adequate literacy provision. The Ministry’s commitments align with the 2019 National Pre-tertiary Education Curriculum Framework, which prioritizes foundational literacy. Non-compliance in resource allocation, such as libraries, could invite scrutiny from bodies like the Ghana Education Service, though no direct legal actions stem from the iREAD event. Policies emphasize equitable access, supporting calls for infrastructure like those from Baatsonaa JHS.

Conclusion

The Education Ministry’s reaffirmation at the iREAD Festival marks a vital step in combating declining reading skills in Ghana. By backing festivals, advocating libraries, and fostering collaborations, stakeholders can cultivate a generation of confident readers. Sustained action—blending events, routines, and infrastructure—will transform literacy challenges into triumphs, ensuring pupils read today to lead tomorrow.

This pedagogical push not only addresses immediate declines but builds a resilient education system for Ghana’s future.

FAQ

Sources

• Life Pulse Daily: “Education Ministry reaffirms dedication to spice up literacy amid declining studying abilities” (Published November 25, 2025).
• Ghana Ministry of Education official statements on National Reading Festival.
• Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) reports by Ghana Education Outcomes Fund and partners.
• UNESCO Institute for Statistics: Literacy data for Ghana.
• National Pre-tertiary Education Curriculum Framework (2019), Ministry of Education, Ghana.
• Education Act (2008), Republic of Ghana.

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