The United States through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provided over $120,000 (over 1.9 million Ghanaian Cedis) to organize the 2024 regional and national reading festivals for Ghanaian children.

The festivals were organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service, and the Ghana Library Authority, and aim to foster a culture of reading and improve literacy among students.

“In today’s digital age, literacy remains the foundation of all learning. With each book opened, we gain new ideas, cultures, and perspectives on life,” said USAID/Ghana Education Office Director, Rasheena Reid during the finale in Accra.

This is the second year USAID, through the Strengthening Accountability in Ghana’s Education System activity, is supporting reading festivals in Ghana. This year’s funding covers 3,388 public primary schools in the Northern, North East, Upper East, and Upper West regions.

“This broad approach ensures that the impact of improved reading instruction reaches children throughout these areas, leaving no child behind,” Reid added.

The finale of the 2024 Reading festival themed “Reading Treasures: Uncovering Hidden Riches,” will include reading and spelling contests, speeches, poetry recitations, cultural exhibitions, and more.

The United States is Ghana’s largest bilateral development partner. In 2023, USAID bilateral development assistance totaled over $150 million. This funding covered education, agriculture, economic growth, health, governance, and more.