KPMG, a leading global professional services firm, in partnership with Rainbow Trust Foundation has embarked on a literacy initiative aimed at nurturing a reading culture among young learners at the Kotobabi Cluster of Schools in Accra.

The programme forms part of KPMG’s corporate social responsibility efforts to promote education and youth development in Ghana. Staff volunteers from KPMG spent the day reading with pupils, donating books, and engaging them in fun, interactive literacy activities.

Speaking at the event, Partner, Accounting Advisory Services at KPMG, Reindolf Annor, emphasized the importance of reading as a foundation for academic success and lifelong learning.

"At KPMG, we say that we want to inspire confidence and empower change. We want to empower young learners to read, and by doing so, we believe they will become better leaders tomorrow," he stated.

Senior Manager, Accounting Advisory Services at KPMG, Patience Mawushie Dzikunoo, underscored the importance of the initiative and shared plans to enhance it with a spelling bee competition.

"We encourage the children to read because reading opens up their minds, improves their vocabulary, and makes them better overall. This year, we are introducing a spelling bee competition because we want to ensure that after donating the books and reading with them, they are understanding and learning from what they read," she added.

Dorcas Gyasi, a student at the school, shared her excitement and stressed the importance of cultivating a reading habit.

"I am happy that KPMG came to our school to help some of us read, because not all of us know how to read. They brought us some storybooks, and I learned many new words. I encourage other children to improve their reading and learn how to spell words," she said.

Founder and CEO of the Rainbow Trust Foundation, Oseaeuonkosuo Hemaa Nana Akosua Agyapomaa, highlighted how KPMG's initiative aligns with their vision. She reiterated its significance in celebrating World Book Day.

"World Book Day is set aside to promote education and literacy. By celebrating programs like this, we are sensitizing children in the community about the importance of reading. A reading child is a winning child," she noted.

The initiative marks the beginning of a broader commitment by KPMG to support basic education through reading programs in underserved communities across the country.