TURNING PAGES INTO SCROLLS: IS GHANA’S YOUNG GENERATION LOSSING THE CULTURE OF READING

At bus stops, in classrooms, and even in libraries, one scene has become increasingly common: young people glued to their phones, scrolling through TikTok, replying to WhatsApp messages, consuming an endless stream of digital content. Amid all the tapping and swiping, books, newspapers and magazines are quietly disappearing from their hands.

For educators, librarians, and literacy advocates, this shift raises an uncomfortable question: are young people losing the culture of reading?

READING FOR GRADES NOT FOR PLEASURE

Reading has long been considered the foundation of learning it sharpens critical thinking, expands vocabulary, and strengthens writing. But recent studies suggest many Ghanaian students now read mainly to pass exams, not for pleasure or personal growth.

Linda Danso, a Level 300 student at the University of Media Arts and Communication (UniMAC), says social media has gradually taken the place of leisure reading in her life. “Most of the reading I do is for assignments and examinations,” she said. “After lectures, I usually spend my free time on social media because it feels easier and more entertaining than reading.”

Her course mate, Bright Laryea, tells a similar story. He used to read novels frequently in senior high school but rarely finds the time now. “Between lectures, group work, and social media, I barely finish one book in a month,” he said.

WHAT THE NUMBER SHOW

The trend isn’t just anecdotal. A study at Koforidua Polytechnic found that 62% of respondents read mainly to pass examinations, while 81.9% had not read a single novel or fiction book in the previous two academic semesters. Researchers concluded that reading habits directly influence academic performance.

The picture looks similar in Greater Accra. A study at Eastbank Senior High School found that only 45.19% of students showed a strong appreciation for reading, with many citing distractions at home and a lack of conducive reading spaces as key barriers.

IN THE CLASSROOM THE EFFECT IS VISISBLE

Mr Daniel Boateng, a lecturer at UniMAC, says the decline in reading is showing up directly in students’ academic work. “Students today prefer summaries and quick information,” he explained. “Many are unwilling to engage with lengthy texts, and that affects their ability to analyse issues critically.”

For him, reading should serve a purpose beyond examinations. “Students who cultivate a reading habit tend to communicate better, think more deeply, and perform better academically.”

A PROBLEM THAT STARTS EARLY

The challenge doesn’t begin at university it starts much earlier. According to a 2023 survey by the Ghana Library Authority, fewer than 30% of public schools in Ghana have functioning libraries, limiting many children’s access to books and reading culture from the outset. The same survey found that library visits among 18-to-25-year-olds have dropped by more than 30% over the past five years — a decline that closely tracks the rise in smartphone ownership within that age group.

Fourteen-year-old Samuel Asare, a Junior High School student at King David High School, sees the pull of the phone firsthand among his peers. “Many students would rather watch videos than read storybooks,” he said. “Even when we have free time, most people pick up their phones first.”

STILL,  A FLICKER OF HOPE

Not every young reader has been lost to the screen. Ten-year-old Selina Boateng, a primary school pupil at Teshie Salem Presby, says reading remains one of her favourite activities. “I like reading storybooks because they teach me new things,” she said enthusiastically. “I especially enjoy stories about animals and adventures.”

At the Accra Central Library, librarian Rebecca Tetteh has watched the relationship between young people and books change over the years. “We still see students coming to the library, but the numbers are not what they used to be,” she said. “Many young people see reading as a school activity rather than something they can enjoy.”

To reverse the trend, libraries have introduced reading clubs, storytelling sessions, and book discussion programmes aimed at making reading feel voluntary rather than compulsory. “When children discover books that match their interests, they become more excited about reading,” Tetteh added.

FELT BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

The decline is also being felt in the marketplace. Bookseller Emmanuel Nyarko says textbooks still sell well because schools require them, but novels and leisure books have seen a sharp drop in sales. “Parents are willing to buy textbooks because they are compulsory,” he explained. “But many do not see storybooks as a necessity.”

Newspaper vendors have felt a similar shift. Standing beside his stand in Accra, Kwame Ofori remembers when newspapers were a daily habit for students and workers alike. “Years ago, students and workers bought newspapers every morning,” he said. “Today, most people simply read headlines on their phones.”

THE NEXT CHAPTER

Technology has made information more accessible than ever but literacy experts argue that scrolling through short-form content cannot replace the deeper benefits of sustained reading. As Ghana continues embracing the digital age, the challenge may not be pulling young people away from technology altogether. It may instead be finding ways to make reading relevant, enjoyable, and accessible within a world built around screens.

Whether through school reading programmes, library initiatives, book clubs, or parental encouragement, many believe the future of Ghana’s reading culture depends on deliberate effort to reconnect young people with books.

 

By Diana Laryea

EMAIL: [email protected]