Literacy in Public Space
Introducing literacy into public spaces.
Mmofra Book Strolls
Mmofra Foundation adapted the ‘Book Stroll’ or “Picture Book Parade” concept for a Ghanaian context in collaboration with U.S. writers Sarah Warren and Catherine Urdahl who are active proponents of outdoor public book walks.
With permission from authors and publishers, enlarged pages of selected children's books written in English and local languages were created to promote cultural enrichment among children and make reading a fun activity. Balanced on easels, these panel pages were strategically placed throughout various spaces as part of public gatherings. Here are three examples:
Book Stroll at Joy FM Party in the Park, Aburi Botanical Gardens.
This is an annual end of year Family Party organized by Joy FM, a leading Accra-based radio station. Drawing about 2000 people, the 2023 edition was held on December 23, at the Aburi Botanical Gardens, a public botanical garden forty-five-minute drive from Accra. The attractive book strolls and the children’s corner puzzles engaged the attention of both children and adults. Reading in this setting was both a peer group and family-oriented activity.
Book Stroll at Mmofra Place, Accra
At this facilitated event, the book strolls on display were Suma Went Walking by Nana Dadson. (English and Ga editions, Afram Publications, Ghana, Ltd) and City Sounds by Kathy Knowles (Osu Children's Library Fund). The event’s 200 attendees were mainly children, especially from schools surrounding Mmofra Place, including Bethany Methodist School, Dzorwulu Junior High School, Golden Age International School, Lincoln Community School, and Vichans School. Along with reading, there were also puzzles developed from the books, giant scrabble, as well as scavenger hunts, and the very popular ‘dancercise’ choreographed from traditional Ghanaian dances.
'Pa Gya! A Literary Festival in Accra’
A collaboration between the Writers Project of Ghana & Goethe-Institute Ghana and the Foundation for Contemporary Art-Ghana, this three-day literary arts festival was held from October 13 to 15, 2023, featuring activities such as reading, panel discussions, performances, book launches, literary prize awards, art talks, art and literary exhibitions, and film screenings. The event was attended by over 1,500 people, offering a great opportunity for children and adults to interact with literature.
Writers On Wheels
An innovation of Mmofra Foundation and its partners based on a familiar mode of urban information dissemination, Writers on Wheels replaces the mobile billboard affixed to a basic bicycle chassis, with banners printed with notable quotations and excerpts from the writings of distinguished Ghanaian authors.
The purpose-built bicycle carriages along with their riders, are normally hired to move through the city, intersecting with pedestrians, drivers, and other road users on their journey.
The celebrated Ghanaian authors and poets selected were Nii Ayikwei Parkes, Atukwei Okai and Ama Ata Aidoo. All are nationally recognized, with Okai and Parkes being of Accra heritage themselves. Aidoo, who died in 2023, is arguably the most famous contemporary African woman writer. Yet it is also true that their works have not been read by a majority of residents of the city.
