The five-month reading competition, which would end by January 2018, is aimed at helping to ignite the passion and love for reading in the schools.

Winners and other deserving competitors would receive prizes including, laptops and other educational materials.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), a specialised agency of the UN, has set aside September 8, every year to mark the International Literacy Day.

It is aimed at highlighting the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies and this year’s celebration is on the theme: "literacy in a digital world".

Mrs Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, the Senior Manager, Corporate Communications of MTN Ghana Foundation, made known to journalists in Sunyani

The competitors would be made up of 100 boys and girls between eight and 14 years and would be selected from 10 schools in the region.

 They include students and pupils who are not good in reading and the selection would be made in consultation with the school authorities.

Mrs Fiagbenu expressed discomfort with the poor reading habit in many public basic schools in the country adding that the project would supply the competing children with a different reading book on weekly basis.

She said parents of the children would be engaged to monitor and ensure that they read the books.

"The competitors are expected to finish reading the books by the end of every week," she said adding that they would be examined to determine best readers after the competition for the prizes.

Mrs Fiagbenu said the outcome and impact of the competition would determine how the project would be expanded to benefit more school children.