The Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS), in collaboration with the Ghana Library Authority (GhLA) and Parliament, have held “Parliament Reads 2020.”

It was under the theme “Inspiring the Next Generation Leaders to be Readers.”

The event which was held at the forecourt of the Speakers Block in Parliament on March 4, was graced by the Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Michael Oquaye.

He took time to welcome the participating pupils to Parliament with handshakes, after which he gave a short address and read a few pages to encourage the participants to read continually.

“In this world of ICT, everything is regulated by knowledge, therefore, reading forms a very essential part of your growth.” The Speaker noted.

Prof Ocquaye counselled the pupils not to use television as a substitute for books.

The Parliamentary Select Committee on Education, Parliamentary Press, Parliament Library and the Protocol Department, were fully represented at the event, alongside some Members of Parliament, who read pages to and interacted with participants.

On his part, Alexander Roosevelt Hottordze, legislator for Central Tongu Constituency also advised the pupils to take reading seriously if they want to be prominent citizens in future.

He added, “Knowledge is like a Baobab tree, very huge, hence you need to read a lot in order to acquire knowledge. I would not have become a Member of Parliament if I had not taken my reading seriously.”

The MP for North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa encouraged the Upper Primary pupils to adopt a reading culture after having interacted and read aloud to the pupils.

The pupils took turns to excitedly visit the Ghana Library Authority’s Mobile Library Van and selected books of their choice to read.

Pupils and staff were given the opportunity to observe Parliamentary proceedings from the Gallery of the Chamber.

The Parliamentary Librarians also gave participants, a tour at the library.

Although a maiden edition, it has been instituted as an annual event, to bring students in close contacts with MPs and other prominent dignitaries.

The event falls under the united objective of both GNACOPS and GhLA, to inculcate the habit of reading in Ghanaians, especially children.

Student participants and their staff were filled with excitement for being part of the programme, which offered to them, an opportunity to interact closely with the lawmakers of this country.