Journey of Knowledge: The Reading Caravan Combines Literacy
and Tourism in Ghana
The Readers Bay Foundation has unveiled a groundbreaking
initiative known as ‘The Reading Caravan,’ which merges the excitement of tourism
with the love of reading.
Ghana’s first tourist-readers adventure, this one-day road
trip, captivates participants by integrating reading activities into their
travel itinerary. On Saturday, June 22, 2024, the Reading Caravan bus embarked
from Accra Mall at 8:30 am, charting a course for Larteh and Mampong Akropong
in the Eastern Region.
The journey's first destination was the Akonedi Shrine
Global Headquarters in Larteh Kubease, where attendees were briefed on the
shrine’s rich history. The second stop was Akropong Methodist Primary School,
where Irene Boakye-Danquah, founder of the Readers Bay Foundation, organized a
reading competition for the school children.
The enthusiastic students read aloud, with the
best-performing class earning recognition as the winner. This competition was
designed to foster a love for reading and enhance literacy among the children.
To support this mission, the foundation donated a variety of books to enrich
the school's library.
The final destination was the Anagkazo Bible and Ministry
Training Centre, where participants toured the extensive facilities, including
chapels, conference rooms, dormitories, and recreational areas.
In an interview, Irene Boakye-Danquah elaborated on the
foundation’s innovative approach: “In previous tours, we focused solely on
visiting schools and conducting literacy activities. This time, we are fusing
them with tourism because we believe that tourism can unveil many wonders to
the world. While we tour the country, we are also learning.”
The Reading Caravan initiative aims to elevate the
educational experiences of Ghanaian children to be on par with those in more
privileged circumstances, showcasing that with proper resources and support,
such aspirations are attainable. By merging literacy with tourism, the Readers
Bay Foundation continues to pioneer new methods to enrich the educational
journeys of Ghanaian children.
