'Don't Publish Low Class Books'

By Stephen Kwabena Effah
Saturday, 11 November 2006 (Page 3)

THE Ministry of Education, Science and Sports has warned publishers against putting low class supplementary books with sub- standard language onto the market.

"Any publisher found to have introduced low class supplementary readers with sub-standard language will be sanctioned," Angelina Baiden-Amissah, Deputy Minister for the ministry said.

She explained that such acts would in the long run "corrupt the intellectual ability of the reading public" and therefore asked publishers to desist from the practice.

The minister gave the warning at the 2006 National Reading Competition organized by the Ghana International Book Fair Trust as part of the 6th Ghana Book Fair in Accra on Thursday.

In all, some 60 pupils from 40 basic schools across the country received awards including reading and writing books, cash, school bags, T-shirts and wall clocks.

Mrs Baiden-Amissah observed that there are some books on the market which have spelling mistakes, grammatical errors and sub-standard language.

She spoke about what she called a silent revolution going on globally where children are now educating themselves through books, game devices, and the internet, and stressed that the Ghanaian child should not be left out.

Children must be enabled, through the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education programme to have access to quality education to be able to read and write.

She said reading enhances one’s vocabulary and raises the intellectual tone of society, adding, "Reading is an inexpensive means of developing the mind and a giant step towards academic excellence for a better future."

Mrs Baiden-Amissah said it is the duty of parents to guide children to mould their life for a meaningful adulthood and called on publishers and book sellers to aid this responsibility by providing children with reading materials and increased access to books.

The chairperson of the Trust, Akoss Ofori-Mensah, said besides helping to increase one’s vocabulary, books give emotional and social awareness, encourage creativity and raise the quality of learning.