The Federation of Muslim Women Association of Ghana (FOMWAG) has launched a community-based literacy programme in the Ashanti Region, focused on improving educational outcomes for local children.

The initiative will target four municipalities and districts which include, Asokore Mampong, Ejura-Sekyeredumase, Bosomtwe, and Ahafo Ano South East - and aim to enhance the reading and math abilities of about 300 young learners.

The Community Empowerment through Child Literacy Project aims to support community-driven efforts, in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service, to enhance the literacy abilities of students in grades 2-6 at five disadvantaged schools.

Specifically, the project targets girls who are struggling with English communication and basic math concepts, providing them with the necessary skills to succeed.

Assessments from target schools have exposed a severe literacy gap, with students facing significant challenges in English communication and math comprehension.

Alarmingly, about 70% of these students are struggling with basic reading and writing skills, indicating a critical need for intervention.

A significant number of girls show reluctance to engage in class, demonstrating a lack of self-assurance by rarely answering questions or seeking clarification.

At the launch, Regional President Kabirat Ahmed Salihs stressed the programme seeks to foster a more inclusive and empowering learning environment, made possible partnership with the STAR-Ghana Foundation and support from William and Flora Hewlett Foundation the project seeks to foster a more inclusive and confident learning environment.

She stated that there is a need to tackle the key challenges hindering students' ability to read, write, communicate effectively in English, and grasp essential math concepts, to provide a strong foundation for their educational journey.

"The essence of the project is that we've realised that a lot of learners in our communities have difficulty in reading and writing and also expressing themselves in the English Language.

Some of them also have challenges with numeracy, so we're trying to see how we can solve this challenge," she noted.

Kabirat also mentioned that, the vital role of parents in supporting their children's academic achievement by actively monitoring their progress and engaging with teachers.

Meanwhile, the Municipal Director of Education, Samson Anawine, highlighted the importance of literacy and numeracy skills in children's educational development, stressing the need to instil a love of reading in children to enable them to pursue their academic interests successfully.

"Literacy is critical for our survival, there's no option than to encourage our children to be able to read so that this country can grow," he said.

The Otumfour Asenehene of Sepase, Nana Yaw Akuoko, commended FOMWAG for their commitment to education in the Municipality.

He advised parents to closely monitor their children's online activities and TV-watching habits to protect their academic goals.

He emphasized the importance of parents modelling good behaviour, as children learn from their actions, and stressed the need for responsible parental conduct to foster positive values in children.