MTN Ghana, the mobile telecommunication services
provider, on Friday launched "Happy Minds Reading Clubs" to mark the end of its annual 21 Days of Y'ello Care programme.
A statement signed by Mrs. Georgina Asare-Fiagbenu, Senior Manager of Corporate Communications, said the launch of the Happy Minds Reading Clubs in Accra was also held concurrently in five communities in the country,
including Nima in Accra, Bonsu in Takoradi and Apemanim in Kumasi.
It said the beneficiary schools include the Nima Cluster of Schools, All Saints JHS and Bonsu JHS in Takoradi and Apemanim community in Kumasi, among others.
"MTN identifies reading as one of the greatest gifts any person can teach a child," the statement said.
It added that in spite of the modern bombardment of children with electrical gadgets and images, reading to children and having them read was still one of the most important skills to give a child.
The MTN staff, therefore, donated books worth thousands of Ghana Cedis to be presented to deprived schools to set up libraries to inculcate the reading habit in children at a tender age.
The MTN staff also visited the beneficiary schools to facilitate reading among the children.
Mr George Andah, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Ghana, was quoted as saying that reading promotes a child's cerebral and emotional development.
He said while positive interaction between parent and child is helpful, reading is always a sure way to gain a positive foothold in a child's life.
"Indeed books open doors to new ideas, cultures and concepts", he added.
Mr Andah said the internet was a good source of learning, but studies had shown that without reading capability both children and adults would not be able to use the internet effectively.
He called on parents to collaborate with teachers in the effort to make children familiar with books and with reading.
Present at the launch in the Nima Cluster of Schools were the Director for Pre-Tertiary Education for Ayawaso West, Mrs. Maria Quaye, the area's Circuit Supervisor for Education, Madam Abokpa and Mrs. Nabilla Williams, MTN Ghana Foundation Board Member.
The statement said this year's 21 Days of Yello' Care programme took staff members to various communities across the country to execute
community-based projects and programmes all aimed at improving the lives of people in communities where MTN operates.
This year's challenge was centred on Education, Health and Sports, and the statement said the exercise has been successful.