In a vibrant blend of traditional reading advocacy and modern digital empowerment, the Accra Golden Lions Club has donated over 1,000 books to libraries and schools across seven communities in the Winneba area.
The “Golden Readers Project,” launched Friday, is a bold step toward transforming local youth from passive consumers of digital content into critical thinkers and future innovators.
The donation, featuring a diverse collection of storybooks, textbooks, and educational resources sourced globally, was unveiled during a dynamic, technology-enabled ceremony that saw Lions members participating both in person and remotely from Accra.
For the Accra Golden Lions Club, this year’s legacy project marks a deliberate pivot. Following last year’s “Golden Toys” initiative for childhood cancer units, the club shifted its focus to literacy after library officers flagged an urgent need for reading materials. But the club’s vision goes beyond simply stocking shelves; they aim to rewire how children interact with knowledge.
“We want to ensure that the kids in these communities build a habit of critical thinking. We need this as a country to be able to solve problems,” said Nehemiah Attigah, a key project lead and software engineer.
Attigah seamlessly bridged the gap between printed pages and digital screens. While the donation provides the physical tools for learning, he challenged the students to harness technology intentionally. Pointing to the popular social media app TikTok, Attigah urged the youth to bypass the endless scroll of entertainment for the platform’s educational STEM tab.
“You don’t want to live your life as just a consumer. You want to be an innovator or a creator,” Attigah told the captivated students. “The only way to build yourself is to acquire knowledge, and the only way to acquire knowledge is to read.”
The event’s guest speaker, revered literacy expert Lion Dr. Helena Asamoah-Hassan, echoed the urgency of early intervention. Speaking virtually to the room, she stressed that literacy—whether in a mother tongue or English is the bedrock of a successful life.
However, Dr. Asamoah-Hassan was quick to remind the young recipients that knowledge requires stewardship. Delivering a passionate mini-lesson on book care, she directed the Ghana Library Authority staff to strictly supervise the new collection.
“Teach these young ones that when you are reading, you don’t fold the book in half, you break the spine. You don’t write in the book, and you don’t fold the corners of the pages,” she instructed. “Find a bookmark. These books must last so that other young people can come and use them.”
With a playful nod to the famous literary orphan, Lion Dr. Asamoah-Hassan charged the library staff to be like “Oliver Twist” and hold the Accra Golden Lions Club accountable for returning with more donations in subsequent years.
The event also spotlighted the power of community networks. Lion Sylvia, a member who relocated from Nigeria to Ghana in 2024, shared how joining the Lions Club provided her with a vital professional and social support system in a new country. She encouraged the students to join Leo and Lions clubs as they advance to senior high school and higher institutions, emphasising that the networks built today would open doors tomorrow.
The ceremony closed not with a ribbon cutting, but with a resounding, coordinated cheer spelling out “CHEER” to thank library staff and educators. Then, the real work began: the adults and children broke into small groups, picked up the newly donated books, and started reading.
In an age where attention spans are increasingly fragmented by digital noise, the Golden Readers Project is a timely reminder: whether it’s turning a physical page or clicking a STEM tab, the future belongs to those who read.
Special Gratitude to RedOak Publishers, Child Online Africa, Ama Ata Aidoo Foundation, Saka Homes, and our numerous donors for their support.
