The illiteracy rate of 30.2% is a cause of worry, but the government will deal with it – Dr Apaak

 

The illiteracy rate of 30.2% is a cause of worry, but the government will deal with it – Dr Apaak

At the 58th International Literacy Day celebration in Tamale, the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, drew attention to the troubling 30.2% illiteracy rate recorded in the 2021 Population and Housing Census. 

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, he described the figure as a national concern that demands urgent action, even though the country currently boasts a literacy rate of 69.8%.

Dr. Apaak stressed that no nation can achieve true development without making education a top priority. He pointed out that illiteracy continues to limit many citizens from fully participating in the digital economy and benefiting from modern opportunities. 

According to him, the persistence of a sizeable illiterate population is not only an educational issue but also a barrier to national progress.

He assured the gathering that government is rolling out several programmes aimed at reducing what he called “learning poverty.” 

These include the Communities of Excellence Programme (CEP), Complementary Basic Education (CBE), and the National Standardized Test (NST). Each of these initiatives is designed to give more citizens the opportunity to acquire functional literacy skills that will help them contribute meaningfully to the country’s growth.

The Deputy Minister also pledged strong government backing for the Complementary Education Agency (CEA), which was created to provide alternative learning opportunities for out-of-school children and adults. 

However, he admitted that the agency is struggling with serious operational challenges. Currently, it operates with just over 1,700 staff instead of the required 6,000, a shortfall that has weakened its capacity to function effectively. 

He added that the delay in securing a Legislative Instrument (LI) has further slowed the agency’s growth and limited its ability to recruit new staff to replace retirees.

He revealed that the Ministry of Education is working to migrate CEA staff into the Public Service structure while pushing for the approval of the LI to enable the agency to access resources and expand its reach. He gave assurance that these processes will be fast-tracked to ensure the agency fulfills its mandate as a third force in the nation’s literacy drive.

Dr. Apaak concluded by urging stronger partnerships with non-state actors, stressing that the government alone cannot transform education. He maintained that with a united effort and the right level of commitment from all stakeholders, Ghana can write a new chapter in its literacy journey and significantly reduce the worrying illiteracy rate.