A not-for-profit organisation, Syldem Foundation, has launched a literacy drive programme aimed at providing female students of the Atiyinu Airfield Basic School with logistics to enhance their reading ability.

The Chief Executive Officer of Syldem Foundation, Sylvia Demanya, said the initiative was geared towards enhancing academic performance, critical thinking capabilities, and literacy of beneficiaries in English, French, and Spanish.

She added that members of the club would also be introduced to Artificial Intelligence (AI) to ensure they are equipped to navigate the world of information and technology, among others.

“This club launch is not just about introducing these pupils to reading materials; it’s about showcasing the future of vocabulary growth, grammar acquisition, writing skills development, artificial intelligence, and wellbeing to combat the feeling of loneliness,” she said.

She further indicated that herself, Kailey Georgina Allotey, and Imeta Akakpo initiated the programme with the hope of "setting this new standard as a recipe for success."

“This trio brings on board varied academic backgrounds and global exposure in French, Spanish, and English with a literature perspective.”

Madam Demanya stressed that the club would not lose focus on the development of local languages that plays an important role in the children's ability to learn foreign languages.

She added that the club will provide a platform to nurture the members with the ideals and values to help them to become people of substance in the future.

“Our mentorship will showcase to these young ladies the richness of education, shared human experience, meticulous planning and execution, and cultural heritage as a window into the soul of a culture, offering us a glimpse of history, values, and traditions,” she said.

The Headmistress of the Atiyinu Airfield Basic School, Benedicta Seyram Adzroe, appreciated the efforts by the Syldem Foundation to improve the standard of education.

She identified the establishment of the reading club as a major step towards improving the academic performance of the beneficiaries.

“Without reading, the child will not be able to do well in other subject areas, so we see this as a very great opportunity to improve reading and do well in other academic areas. So, we believe that it is going to go a long way to improve academic work in the school,” she concluded.