USAID Distributes Over 4 Million Books to Schools in All Districts

Amb. Robert Jackson listens to a child read one of the books distributed
Amb. Robert Jackson listens to a child read one of the books distributed
Yooku Ata-Bedu, USAID/Ghana

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Sara Stealy
+233 (030) 274-1979

Accra, GHANA – On June 7, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ministry of Education launched the distribution of over 4 million books in English and local Ghanaian languages to public primary schools in all 216 districts.  The aim is to improve the reading skills of nearly 2.8 million primary school students, enhance education policies and management systems, as well as strengthen parent, school and local government capacity to promote reading. The books will provide more access to reading materials and enrich the reading environment for kindergarten to primary 3 pupils in all of Ghana. U.S. Ambassador to Ghana Robert P. Jackson and Minister of Education, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang delivered remarks to commemorate the official handover of the books.

“These books will open minds, expand horizons, and introduce millions of primary school children across Ghana to new worlds and opportunities,” remarked Ambassador Jackson. “A literate, educated population drives development and builds nations.  But a 2013 test showed that the vast majority of Ghanaian primary school students are unable to read with fluency. I am happy to report that this is changing. One of the major drivers of this change is the strong partnership between the U.S. Government and the Ghana Ministry of Education.”

USAID and the Ministry of Education initiated the Partnership for Education: Learning program in 2015. This partnership supports the Government of Ghana to encourage children to develop their reading skills and stimulate parent or guardian interests in early grade reading, both in English and Ghanaian languages.

About USAID

USAID is the lead U.S. government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. For more than 50 years, USAID has supported Ghana in increasing food security, improving basic health care, enhancing access to quality basic education, and strengthening local governance to benefit all Ghanaian people.