Children Participating in Read Foundation International’s Read Legate Project over the week, captivated audiences at the 21st edition of the Ghana International Book Fair (GIBF), held at the Accra International Conference Centre.
The event saw the participation of ten top readers from RFI Ghana’s “Read Legates” project, representing various schools under the initiative.
The young “Read Legates” left a lasting impression on fair attendees as they actively engaged in seminars, panel discussions, stage performances, and reading sessions alongside renowned authors.
Their participation demonstrated not only their love for reading but also their confidence and eloquence in sharing ideas with the wider literary community.
In addition to the core literary activities, the Legates had the opportunity to visit a rare books library and partake in coding training sessions and demonstrations, introducing them to the intersection of technology and education.
This year’s fair, themed “Books and Culture in the Era of Artificial Intelligence,” brought together over 100 writers, publishers, printers, and technology innovators from across the globe. The four-day event aimed to inspire creativity, exploration, and development among participants through engaging discussions and interactive activities.
RFI Ghana’s Director, Issah Abdul-Wahab, highlighted the significance of bridging the educational divide between privileged and underprivileged learners by providing equal access to opportunities.
He acknowledged that such events have traditionally been attended by affluent families and those in urban centers, stressing the importance of making these experiences accessible to all students, regardless of background.“We are working tirelessly to create equitable learning opportunities through strategic collaborations and partnerships.
This initiative is just the beginning of greater things to come,” Mr. Abdul-Wahab stated. He also commended the involvement of parents and guardians, encouraging them to fully utilize the reading materials provided by RFI Ghana.
Imoro Alhassan, Project Manager at RFI Ghana guided the Legates through various exhibition stands, facilitating their interactions with industry experts and offering them insights and inspiration from the event.
The students described their experience as not only educational but also enjoyable, especially as they participated in activities like Kiddie E-sports, speed puzzle competitions, painting, and other creative art events.
Madam Lydia Asantewah Owusu, Project Coordinator at the Ghana Education Service, expressed her gratitude to Read Foundation International for sponsoring the students, noting that the exposure provided was invaluable.
She urged the foundation to extend its reach so that more schools and students can benefit from such initiatives.Parents also lauded RFI Ghana for its efforts.
Madam Merry Akua Odame, speaking on behalf of the parents, shared her excitement and appreciation, describing the experience as overwhelmingly positive and beneficial for the children.
