BECE candidates can barely read: Asanko Gold Ghana to help reverse that in Amansie South District

The Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates in Amansie West and Amansie South districts, located in the Ashanti region, often struggle with reading and writing skills, resulting in an alarmingly high dropout rate. These districts in the Ashanti region are among the most impoverished and remote rural areas. There is a severe shortage of trained teachers in the region, with approximately 500 teachers needed to fill teaching vacancies.

The low school attendance is a significant issue, with many students opting to participate in unregulated gold mining, known as 'galamsey', instead of focusing on formal education. Consequently, BECE candidates are unable to comprehend examination questions, showcasing the poor quality of education in the area.

Asanko Gold Ghana has launched a 'Literacy Improvement Project' to address this debilitating situation. The project involves the distribution of GES-approved reading books, encouraging engaging literacy activities, building teachers' professional competencies, and organizing activities to foster interest in reading and literacy.

A critical part of the initiative includes the deployment of mobile and virtual libraries to schools, granting pupils regular access to a diverse selection of books and digital learning resources. The partnership between Asanko Gold Ghana Limited and the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation supports this endeavor.

Asanko Gold Ghana General Manager, Mr. Justice Fenteng, explained that the project aims to establish a consistent supply of reading materials essential for cultivating a lifelong reading habit, ultimately fostering resilient communities beyond the mining industry. He stated that the project's success will not be determined by the number of books distributed, but by the curiosity it instills in the students.

Mr. Fenteng emphasized the importance of reading skills in today's world, highlighting that the project's success lies in fostering curiosity among children.

Simon Ampomah Anrwi, the Amansie South District Director of the Ghana Education Service, praised the Literacy Improvement Project, stating that it would improve teachers' ability to enhance literacy outcomes among pupils. He noted that the project is particularly crucial, as children who cannot read in BECE struggle to pursue further education, hindering their ability to compete with urban students.

Nana Gyansah Tabi, the Regent of Kwabenaso, pledged the traditional authority's support for the project, explaining that the lack of reading interest stems from a lack of role models, parental guidance, and community support.

The launch of the Literacy Improvement Project was marked by the distribution of GES-approved reading books, furniture, and other teaching and learning materials to the beneficiary schools.