The development of literacy skills through early experiences with books and stories is critically linked to children’s later success in learning to read. As Ghana continues to increase national literacy levels, parents and communities are called upon to help their children to read outside of the classroom, supporting what they learn from teachers and the school system.
The USAID Partnership for Education: Innovating Activity (Innovating) complements other initiatives taking place in the classroom and encourages all Ghanaians to build communities of reading throughout the country. Innovating works closely with the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service, and local stakeholders to raise public awareness about the importance of reading and the benefits of developing good reading habits. The activity focuses on the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western, Volta, and Northern regions of Ghana.
EDC staff working on Innovating are engaged in the following activities:
- Raising public awareness of the importance of reading for individual and national development through a national media campaign
- Promoting public action to encourage good reading habits at home as a complement to the classroom through a variety of activities in the five target regions
- Working with community organizations and volunteers to build a strong network of early-grade reading champions to promote reading locally
- Growing public-private partnerships supporting home and community-based reading
- Awarding grants to more than 800 communities and civil society organizations to support early-grade reading activities
- 800 grants will be issued to communities and civil society organizations to fund household reading activities
Ministry of Education, Ghana; Ghana Education Service; Participatory Development Associates