News Commentary on International Literacy Day

Today, September 8th is International Literacy Day. The Day was set aside by the UN to sensitize the world on the problems and challenges posed by illiteracy to personal growth; community development; national progress and global advancement.

Illiteracy is no respecter of persons, communities and nations. Its striking effects could be seen wherever it shows its ugly head. Undoubtedly, illiteracy is the main cause of ignorance, poverty, disease, squalor and underdevelopment.

Knowledge, they say is power. Literacy gives greater access to greater reservoirs of knowledge and builds confidences in the individual to enable him assert himself to strive for greater heights in life. It also has the power to turn ignorant persons into knowledgeable people; poverty stricken families into economically sound ones and dependable economies into independent ones.

This year's International Literacy Day therefore put the spot light on the empowering role of literacy and its importance for participation, citizenship and social development. Hence, the theme for this year's International Literacy Day Celebration in Ghana which is “Functional Literacy-key to National Participation, good citizenship and social Development”.

It is widely accepted that literacy skills are basic necessities for informed decision making and personal empowerment. The theme lends credence to the fact that national participation in the developmental agenda of the country at this moment is very crucial.

This is the time in which the barriers of sectionalism ought to be pulled down to make way for the full scale participation of all well meaning Ghanaians in the country's development. The talent of all Ghanaians should be exploited through literacy to push the nation's development forward. Literacy fosters good citizenship which is also a prerequisite for national development.

Good citizenship arises when the citizen knows his rights and understands his roles and responsibilities in the country. Most Ghanaians have not been able to exercise their rights and played the roles expected of them because of the barrier of illiteracy. I

lliteracy has denied people of their rightful places in their families, communities and the nation as a whole. It is in view of this that the important role being played by the National Functional Literacy Programme in unveiling the latent talents of learners to enable their useful skills to be tapped for development, should be commended by all.

It is an undeniable fact that the National Functional Literacy Programme being implemented by the Non-Formal Education Division of the Ministry of Education has contributed immensely towards ensuring good citizenship, national participation and socio-economic development. It has provided graduates of the programme with essential life, civic and occupational skills which are prerequisites for participation in national development programmes.

Its civic awareness component has prepared learners to actively and effectively take part in governance programmes at the community levels and accept the views of others as necessary ingredients for deepening democracy and community participation.

The infusion of income generating activities as part of the overall literacy delivery of the National Functional Literacy Programme has given thousands of adult learners the impetus for their economic liberation and those of their families.

In addition, learners have also contributed towards the direct socio-economic development of their communities. Some have led their communities to provide market sheds, wells, schools and other social facilities to improve the living conditions of their people.

As we mark International Literacy Day today, let us drum home the slogan “Each one, teach one” as a reminder that all of us have the onerous responsibility of mopping illiteracy out of the corridors of our dear country, Ghana.

BY ERIC AMANOR, NON-FORMAL EDUCATION DIVISION OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION.