Reading is an essential requirement in democracy – Anis Haffar

Founder of Gate Institute, Anis Haffar, has charged Ghanaians to develop a reading attitude because it is an essential requirement in a democracy.

He believes that in democracy, one needs to read to understand whether what the political elite are saying is the truth or not. The masses should be able to read the newspapers so that they would become critical thinkers.

“In a country like Ghana which had its independence in 1957, only a few people read,” he said.

According to Mr Haffar even though there are no statistics to back his assertion, one would be able to decipher from conversations with people.

“We have to bridge the gap between literacy and illiteracy” he stressed.

Explaining his claims he stated that “If you look at the opportunities available in the 21st century, it is all directed to the internet, how many people can access the internet in a meaningful way for information?”

He said Ghanaians need to access the internet to look at the research that others have spent millions of dollars and pounds to do, in order to benefit us and this can be achieved through reading.

Mr Haffar believes in order to ensure that students do not abuse the internet, some sites that are not beneficial to students must be blocked.

He added that school kids must be educated with regards to the proper use of the internet.

“Everybody wants to be seen adding proper value to who they are. We have to begin to look at very intrinsic ways of satisfaction. Meaning that you are going to this site looking at information that will develop you as a person.”

Anis Haffar was the chairman for the launch of 2018 Ghana National Association of Private Schools’ week celebration which took place at the British Council in Accra.

The focus of the GNAPS celebration is to ensure that every child is equipped with skills and tools to read fluently and also develop the reading culture by the third grade.

The 2018 GNAPS week celebration is to reflect and undertake a deeper retrospect on educational policies and practices that enhance the socio-economic welfare of the people. The outcomes of the activities have not only enhanced the cooperation and collaboration among stakeholders but have strengthened the practice.

The theme for the 2018 GNAPS week celebration is ‘Promoting a reading culture: the key to the information age.”