Stakeholders Warn of Deepening Literacy Gap as Ghana Holds Literacy Fair 2026

Stakeholders in the education sector have called for urgent and coordinated national interventions to address Ghana’s declining literacy levels following the successful launch of the maiden Ghana Literacy Fair 2026 in Accra.

The national launch, which marked the climax of a three-day literacy fair, was held at the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC)-Atomic under the theme: “Unleashing the Power of Reading to Transform Ghanaian Students and Youth.”
The event attracted more than 3,000 participants, including schoolchildren, educators, policymakers, development partners, and civil society actors. It featured a range of activities such as reading and speech marathons, storytelling sessions, choreography performances, and mentorship engagements, all aimed at promoting a stronger reading culture among young people.

Reading as the Foundation of Learning

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, the Technical Advisor to the Minister, Prof. George K. T. Oduro, emphasized that reading remains the foundation of all learning and a critical driver of national development.

“Reading is not just a school subject. It is the gateway for everything in school,” he said, noting that without strong reading skills, learners struggle across subjects such as mathematics, science, and social studies.

Prof. Oduro expressed concern about Ghana’s declining reading culture, citing national and international assessments that show many children fail to acquire foundational literacy skills in the early years of schooling.

According to available data, only about 8% of pupils in Primary Two and Primary Three demonstrate foundational literacy skills, while more than 60% fail to attain minimum proficiency by the end of primary school.

He warned that children who do not learn to read proficiently by Primary Three are more likely to struggle academically, drop out of school, and face long-term socio-economic challenges.
“The cost of inaction is high,” he cautioned.

He further outlined ongoing interventions by the Ministry of Education, including curriculum reforms, teacher training, phonics-based instruction, and the use of Ghanaian languages as mediums of instruction from Kindergarten to Primary Three.

“Our commitment is to make reading a national movement, not just a school activity,” he added.
Literacy as a National Emergency
The Executive Director of the Sophia Boadi Readathon International Foundation (SBRIF), Ms. Sophia Boadi, described literacy as a national emergency requiring collective action and sustained investment.

“We cannot industrialize without thinkers. We cannot lead Africa if our children only read for exams,” she stated.
She announced the launch of the National Readathon Challenge, a nationwide initiative expected to engage 500,000 students across Ghana’s 16 regions over the next 12 months.

The programme will also train 5,000 teachers, establish 100 libraries, and support the development of future generations of young achievers through literacy-focused interventions.

Ms. Boadi appealed to government institutions and corporate organizations to support literacy initiatives and urged the Ministry of Education to formally integrate the Ghana Literacy Fair and the Readathon Challenge into the national education calendar.
“We need more than presence; we need policy,” she stressed.

Promoting Reading, Writing and Cultural Identity

The Secretary-General of the Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA), Dr. Wale Okediran, encouraged students to develop consistent reading and writing habits regardless of their academic discipline.

He also urged young people to embrace indigenous languages and literature as a way of preserving Africa’s cultural identity and heritage.

“You can be a science student and also write,” he said. “The world today offers many opportunities, but you have to start by reading and passing your examinations.”

Moral Development and Mentorship

The National Director of the Schools Outreach Ministry of the Church of Pentecost, Pastor Frank Mensah Tandoh, highlighted the importance of integrating moral values with academic development.
He noted that the ministry works with schools and partner organizations to provide mentorship, character formation, and educational support for vulnerable learners.

Literacy as a Human Rights Issue

Delivering a solidarity message, Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, who also serves as Convener of the Youth Sub-Platform of the Ghana Civil Society Organisations Platform on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), described literacy as a fundamental human rights and development issue.

He explained that literacy empowers young people to understand their rights, resist misinformation, and contribute meaningfully to national development.

“Reading is power. Reading is liberation. Reading is transformation,” he said.
“A child who can read can better understand their rights. A young person who reads is less vulnerable to manipulation, misinformation, crime and exploitation.”

He called for increased investment in school libraries, digital learning resources, and sustained literacy interventions to equip the next generation with essential skills for development.

Conclusion

The Ghana Literacy Fair 2026 was organised by the Sophia Boadi Readathon International Foundation (SBRIF) in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA), the Schools Outreach Ministry (SOM), Pentecost University, and other stakeholders committed to promoting literacy and youth development.

Participants expressed optimism that the initiative will help strengthen Ghana’s reading culture and inspire sustained national commitment to literacy development among children and young people.