Make reading daily habit — Samuel Aggrey
The President of the Ghana Library Association, Mr Samuel Bentil Aggrey, has urged students to make reading a daily habit to improve on their academic performance.
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He explained that “reading broadens one’s horizon and is the key to unlocking and realising the world.”
Mr Aggrey, who was addressing the 17th Graduation, Speech and Prize-giving Day of the Ave Maria School in Accra, said it was important for everyone to read since “God detests ignorance and considers it an abomination.”
The ceremony was on the theme: “Reading: An Enhancement to Holistic Life”.
Mr Aggrey said reading story books “exercises the brain and improves on one’s concentration” and added that “since you sit alone or in a group you are always focused on what is before you.”
He also pointed out that reading with understanding “enables students to make right and informed choices in life” and urged teachers to help students select useful books to read and engage them to ensure they understand what they read.
He, however cautioned that reading should be handled appropriately in order to derive its benefits and cited for instance that fictional books must be understood in their contexts by young people so that they do not get confused.
He called for adequate stocking of libraries with a variety of reading materials and the provision of a serene atmosphere, as well as friendly and professional staff, to help users of libraries realise the best from each visit.
The Headmistress of Ave Maria School, Mrs Florence Agordjor, said the school presented 84 students for the 2017 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and expressed the hope that they would excel.
She asked parents to prevent their children from spending their precious time watching movies but rather encourage them to read useful books to improve on their vocabulary.
Master Benjamin Nketsiah Quansah, 15, was adjudged the Overall Best Student in JHS Three. He was also the best student in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Integrated Science and Pre-Technical Skills.
Miss Josephine Akuamoah was the best student in English, Mathematics and Twi, while Miss Mimi Kumwa-Akyenba topped her class in Religious and Moral Education (RME), French and Home Economics.