Francis Asenso-Boakye, Deputy Chief of Staff
LACK of interest in reading of books among Ghanaian students has become a major concern to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, headed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The government has realized that most of the students, especially those in the basic schools, don’t have the passion for reading and this unpleasant behaviour is adversely affecting their studies.
The NPP government, notably the Ministry of Education, led by Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh affectionately called ‘Napo’, has therefore decided to roll out pragmatic measures to urge students to read books.
This new programme, which would become a reality very soon, would serve as motivation to the students to start reading books on a daily basis to help improve their academic performance so they can pass their examination.
The Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Francis Asenso-Boakye, who made the disclosure in Kumasi, was of the view that the government is not happy when it is reported that Ghanaian students don’t like reading.
According to him, reading has several benefits for students. He stressed that aside opening the mind of students; reading has the tendency to help students look sharp and brilliant.
“The Ministry of Education has plans of rolling out an effective programme to enhance reading among students in the country, especially at the basic level”, he said during a donation programme at Bantama.
Mr. Asenso-Boakye, who donated reading books and computers to six schools at Bantama in Kumasi, which is his constituency, entreated teachers and parents to play vital roles to ensure that their children start reading books.
According to him, students who have passion for reading stand the chance of becoming exceptionally intelligent, and therefore urged students to inculcate the habit of reading.
Mr. Asenso-Boakye also said teaching of students should not be the sole responsibility of teachers, indicating that parents and guardians should play key roles to help teach and train their children to become responsible people in the future.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi