The National Center for Culture, on Wednesday, October 6, came alive with a series of events in commemoration of the Ghana Reads Festival.

The occasion saw scores of book-lovers, including state dignitaries and students from various institutions converge at the center to mark the occasion. The festival was in line with World Reading Day celebration which is celebrated on every first Wednesday of October.

It commenced with a series of speeches from the guest speakers and ended with each one of them taking their turns to read a book.

First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei-Owusu, Country Representative for UNESCO, Abdourahamanne Diallo, Executive Director of the Ghana Book Development Council (GBDC) and the Secretary-General for the Pan African Writers Association, Dr Wale Okediran (all guests at the event) read a book from Adwinsa Publications, titled ‘Nii Noi the Sanitation Officer.’

There were also poetry recitals from students of the St. Mary’s Girls Senior High School and the Accra Girls Senior High School, all in Accra.

Addressing the gathering during the event, keynote speaker, Mrs Ernestina Lartey Asuinura who is the Executive Director of the Ghana Book Development Council (GBDC) entreated students to cultivate the habit of reading since “nothing can be achieved without the habit of reading.”

She noted that achieving ones aim in life is highly dependent on prioritizing education as well as taking reading seriously. She noted that reading enriches the mind and broadens ones scope of knowledge. 

On this basis, she urged all students to be ambassadors of reading, making sure to read regularly and also urge their mates to do same.

Also, the 1^st Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei Owusu, who graced the occasion with his presence as the Special Guest highlighted the importance of reading, acknowledging that reading is an essential part of every child’s life.

He indicated that “any child who reads has a lot of self-confidence. He/she can express himself confidently anywhere at any time. A child who doesn’t read, on the other hand, is afraid to express himself anywhere.”

“Reading is like putting blood in your body. It energises you but most importantly, it helps you to communicate effectively,” adding that "reading boosts the confidence in every individual, especially that of children.”

He, thus, urged parents to motivate their kids to read by providing them with more reading materials.

“Parents must make it a point to provide books for their wards at every given opportunity. Most of the time, I purchase more books for more wards than I buy clothing for them. So I urge all parents to do same.”

Taking his turn to speak at the gathering, Dr Wole Okediran, lamented the lack of interest in reading due to the advent of social media and other entertainment materials such as Netflix, etc.

He, thus, urged the students to prioritise reading and “take every opportunity to read.”

Furthermore, Dr Okediran entreated the students to develop their writing potentials since writing books for publication is a great venture they can tap into.