Regional News of Tuesday, 9 September 2025

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Engage Now Africa champions digital literacy push

‎ Cecilia Amankwah, Country Director for Engage Now Africa ‎ Cecilia Amankwah, Country Director for Engage Now Africa

Correspondence from Eastern Region

Engage Now Africa (ENA) recently observed International Literacy Day with a strong call to action, emphasising the critical role of "Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era." The event, held in Accra, highlighted ENA's unwavering commitment to extending the benefits of digitalisation beyond traditional sectors and directly to Ghanaian communities.

‎Cecilia Amankwah, Country Director for Engage Now Africa, underscored this vision, stating, "The benefits of digitalisation in Ghana now are mostly seen in financial or banking and health care sectors, but digitalisation goes beyond that, and Engage Now Africa is ready to bring digitalisation to your doorstep."

‎Cecilia Amankwah detailed ENA's multifaceted contributions to Ghana's development, which include formal and informal education, building and renovating schools and hospitals, and providing essential vocational training.

She highlighted the stark global disparity in internet usage, noting that in 2024, 93% of high-income populations used the internet compared to a mere 27% in low-income countries – a narrative ENA is determined to change through concerted literacy provision across the country.

‎"Since our inception, we have made significant strides in reducing illiteracy in Ghana by enrolling over 20,000 learners and successfully graduating approximately 15,000 learners," Cecilia Amankwah added. "We have also given and continue to offer skills training to over 10,000 of our citizens across Ghana."



‎The occasion was graced by King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the Ga Mantse (King of Ga) of the Greater Accra Region, who served as the chairperson. King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II expressed profound gratitude to Engage Now Africa for its invaluable work, particularly in Accra.

‎Emphasising the cultural significance of literacy, the king stated, "In our Ga communities, and across Ghana, literacy is not just letters on a page. It is how we pass on our history, preserve our traditions, and safeguard our identity. When we lose literacy, we lose memory. When we strengthen it, we empower the next generation to compete in the wider world."



International Literacy Day, observed annually on September 8, serves as a global reminder of the importance of literacy as a fundamental human right and a foundation for lifelong learning. Engage Now Africa's celebration in Accra not only honoured this global observance but also reaffirmed its proactive role in bridging the digital divide and fostering a truly literate and empowered society in Ghana.

‎The event successfully brought together prominent figures from across Ghana, reinforcing the collective commitment to fostering literacy and digital inclusion as fundamental pillars for national progress and cultural preservation.