More than 400 basic school learners from five schools in the Ga North Municipality took a collective pledge to continue reading throughout the vacation as Brighter Future Africa, in partnership with the Ghana Library Authority, officially launched the 2026 Holiday Reading Challenge at the Asofan Community Library in Ofankor-Accra on Thursday.
The event, which coincided with “Our Day”—the last day of school for the academic calendar—sought to redefine how learners perceive the vacation period, transforming it from a time of academic pause into an opportunity for continued intellectual growth.
Combating Holiday Learning Loss
Speaking to the press alongside the event, the Executive Director of Brighter Future Africa, Daniel Korley Botchway, explained that the initiative was designed to tackle the phenomenon of holiday learning loss—a situation where learners forget nearly half of what they had learned in the previous term by the time schools reopen.
“We believe that reading is the door to all learning. Even if you are going to learn mathematics, science, and the rest, you need to be able to read, and it is our way of complementing government’s efforts in helping to deepen learning in this country,” Mr Botchway stated.
He emphasised that while children are excited to go home on the last day of school, the message to them is clear: “Even though you are going home and even though school is on vacation, public libraries are open. Don’t stop learning. Don’t stop reading”.
Challenge Details and Participation
The Holiday Reading Challenge requires learners to read and submit book reviews for six age-appropriate books within the vacation period, with schools scheduled to reopen on September 8.
Mr Botchway stressed that the competition is open to all learners—both public and private schools—and participation is completely free. Entries can be submitted at any public library, posted to Brighter Future Africa, or uploaded digitally through the organisation’s website.
“We want to motivate learners to continue learning,” he added.
Call for Parental Support
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Municipal Chief Executive, Akwetey Agbo, the Deputy Director of the Ga North Municipal Assembly, Roseline Attistobey, commended Brighter Future Africa and the Ghana Library Authority for the collaboration.
“Education indeed is a lifelong journey, and reading remains one of the most effective ways to acquire knowledge, improve creativity, build confidence, and prepare for a brighter future,” she said.
She encouraged learners from Asofan M.A Basic School, Ofankor Anglican Basic School, Ofankor MA Basic School, Amamole MA Basic School, and Omanjo MA Basic School to cultivate the habit of reading every day.
“Books are powerful tools that open doors to endless opportunities. The more you read, the more knowledge you acquire, and the more knowledgeable, confident, and successful you become,” she told the learners.
Ms Attistobey also appealed to parents and guardians to support the initiative by motivating their children to visit the library regularly during the holidays.
“Let us all work together to nurture a generation of readers, a generation of thinkers, a generation of innovators, and a generation of responsible citizens,” she urged.
Library as a Second Home
Edward Addo-Yobo, the Greater Accra Regional Librarian, speaking on behalf of the Executive Director of the Ghana Library Authority, Ziblim Alhassan Betintiche, described the event as “the beginning of a new journey, a journey of books, imagination, creativity, and lifelong learning”.
He outlined four key objectives of the programme: promoting a culture of reading, introducing learners to the Asofan Community Library, developing young library ambassadors, and supporting lifelong learning.
“The library is your second home. Walk in with curiosity. Pick up a book and let your imagination take you places you have never seen or you have never been,” he told the learners.
New Library Serving the Community
The Asofan Community Library, which hosted the event, is a new facility serving both school children and the wider community. Afia Nyarkowaa Obeng Manu, the librarian, explained that the library operates from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturdays.
She noted that while borrowing services have not yet commenced, learners are encouraged to visit and read on-site. Parents are also required to register their children, providing contact details to ensure accountability.
The learners were taken on a guided tour of the library facility, familiarising themselves with the resources available to them throughout the vacation period.
The Holiday Reading Challenge 2026 officially runs until schools reopen, with winners to be selected based on the quality of their book reviews.
By Kingsley Asiedu
