Children’s Book Day marked in Cape Coast

This year’s international children book day celebration has been held in Cape Coast with a call on parents and teachers to inculcate the habit of reading in children.
The celebration which is to promote children books and honour the birthday of Hans Christian Anderson, the legendary author of plays, poems and classic fairy tales was on the theme “ a book is waiting for you, find it”.
Speaking at the celebration, the central regional librarian, Ms Elizabeth Arthur said the programme was to encourage children to read more books and to call attention to children books.
Ms Arthur noted that the ability to read has been an essential tool in the developing world of today as it greatly influences growth and development, indicating that in line with Ghana Library Board’s mission statement and objectives, various activities are being carried out in all libraries to disseminate information, promote reading and encourage library use.
She mentioned some of the activities as book and photo exhibition on topical issue, reading clubs, consultancy services to organisations and schools which intends to re-organise their libraries and attachment training for personnel from institutions, government department and schools on how to manage their libraries.
Ms Arthur appealed to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to join hands with the government to ensure enough provision of children books to make it more accessible to the pupils.
She also called on teachers and parents to encourage children to frequent the library and make use of the facilities provided for them to acquire more knowledge as well as to take very good care of the books they borrow from the library.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive of Cape Coast, Mr Anthony Egyir Aikins said government recognises the importance of reading and access to information by children hence its initiative to solicit for support from the Huawei Project of China to establish a technology park in Cape Coast to boost reading and learning.
Mr Aikins further said government was encouraging Non-Governmental Organisations to establish public libraries in various communities to make reading accessible to the reading public.
He acknowledged Ghana and Chelsea’s Midfield maestro, Michael Essien for contributing to the promotion of education by launching Michael Essien Foundation and Chelsea Football Club in the central region.
He said the gesture by the football legend has increased literacy level whipping active interest in about 35,000 children and pupils from the basic schools in the region whiles about 90,000 library books dubbed reading goals series detailing the life of Essien are involved in the programme to enhance the reading skills of children.
An educationist, Mr Simon Larbi who chaired the function lauded some of the programmes aired on television such as the Zain African Challenge and the Brilliant Science and Maths quiz and advised the children to watch them to improve on their academic knowledge.
He noted the country cannot allow illiteracy to dominate the nation hence the need for all especially students and teachers to encourage the habit of reading to spearhead the development of the economy.
A quiz competition on the day was organised for some students in the Cape Coast Metropolis and St Monica’s Junior High School and Golden Treasures International School were adjudged best schools in the primary and JHS levels respectively. They were awarded with books and other learning materials to improve their studies.