Cocoa Communities Library Project (CCLP)

Partner: Magic Libraries Foundation

Period: 2023 – 2026

Country of Operation: Ghana

Category: Education and Child Literacy

 

Project Snapshot

The Cocoa Communities’ Library Project (CCLP) is a collaborative effort between Participatory Development Associates (PDA) and the Magic Libraries Foundation. The project aims to improve the reading literacy of children and build a culture of reading in cocoa-growing communities in the Ahafo Ano South East and Ahafo Ano South West Districts of the Ashanti Region.

Initially implemented from 2023 to 2024 in 10 communities, the project has been renewed for an additional two years (2025–2026) and expanded to include 10 new communities. The initiative works closely with the Ghana Education Service, community leaders, parents, patrons, headteachers, and the children themselves, and is targeted at positively impacting the lives of 1,000 children.

 

Project Objectives

The main objectives of the project include:

1. Improve the reading literacy of children in cocoa-growing communities
2. Build a sustained culture of reading among children
3. Strengthen community involvement in children’s learning and development
4. Equip local patrons and educators with literacy facilitation skills
5. Promote child-centered educational engagement through structured reading activities

 

PDA’s Task

PDA leads the overall coordination and implementation of the project by:

1. Facilitating the formation and monitoring of community-based reading clubs
2. Organizing community-level reading assessments, literacy events, and training
3. Engaging key stakeholders including traditional authorities, educators, and parents
4. Procuring storybooks from local publishers to support reading clubs
5. Documenting lessons and impact through regular reporting and reviews

 

How We Went About It

Original Phase (2023–2024):
During the initial phase, PDA implemented a series of activities aimed at fostering a love for reading and enhancing literacy outcomes among children in ten cocoa-growing communities:

• Weekly Reading Club Meetings: Regular literacy sessions were held in community libraries, where children participated in guided reading activities to strengthen comprehension and cultivate a reading habit.
• Inter-District Reading Competitions and Quizzes: PDA organized reading competitions and quizzes among the various districts. These events encouraged friendly competition among young readers, helping to boost confidence and assess their understanding of texts.
• Annual Reading Festival: This district-wide celebration highlighted children’s achievements and promoted literacy through storytelling, drama performances, book exhibitions, and reading challenges.
• Training Workshops: PDA organized capacity-building sessions for teachers, librarians, and reading patrons, equipping them with practical tools to support children’s reading development.
• Community Engagements: Sensitization meetings were held with traditional leaders, parents, and other stakeholders to promote local ownership and ensure long-term support for the libraries and reading clubs.

Renewal & Expansion Phase (2025–2026):
Following the success of the first phase, the project was renewed for an additional two years and expanded to ten new communities:

• Contract Signing and Impact Reporting: In January 2025, the impact report from the first phase was finalized, and a new contract was signed to support the project’s expansion.
• Community Entry and Profiling: In March, PDA conducted entry visits and profiling exercises in the ten new communities. This activity provided vital insights into the communities’ contexts, helped identify children who would benefit from the initiative, and mapped out key local stakeholders and potential reading patrons.
• Reading Assessments: Literacy assessments were conducted to determine children’s reading levels and understand the factors influencing their reading interest. These findings are shaping the design of interventions for the new phase.
• Formation of Reading Clubs: Work is ongoing to establish reading clubs in the new communities. PDA is collaborating with local stakeholders to identify dedicated facilitators who can lead weekly sessions tailored to children’s literacy needs.
• Monitoring of Existing Clubs: PDA continued engagement with clubs established during the first phase. For example, a visit to the Kunsu Reading Club allowed the team to observe progress and interact with children, with the project coordinator participating as a guest reader.
• Procurement of Storybooks: The team has ordered 2,850 culturally relevant storybooks from Ghanaian publishers to support both existing and new clubs. These books are expected to be delivered by the end of April 2025.

Recent Activities (2025)

• Monitoring Reading Club Activities: Weekly reading sessions now run effectively in all 20 communities, with an average of 481 children participating in the new communities alone. Clubs meet once or twice weekly, engaging children in activities designed to inspire creativity and curiosity.

• Distribution of Storybooks: A total of 2,700 storybooks were distributed to the 10 new clubs, covering various reading levels and interests. Many children experienced independent reading for the first time.

• Reflective Workshop for Reading Facilitators: A training workshop was organized for 20 new and existing facilitators. Sessions covered reading facilitation strategies and child safeguarding, which participants highlighted as the most impactful.

• District Reading Activity (Ahafo Ano South East): About 120 children from nine clubs participated in a reading activity featuring storytelling, word formation challenges, and library visits. Children also explored the Asuadei Cluster Library, engaging with the librarian.

• Renovation of Cluster Libraries (Amangoase & Nyinanufu):

  • Amangoase: Repairs completed on broken structures, installation of ceiling, doors, and windows underway to prepare for tiling and painting.

  • Nyinanufu: Community is fixing the ceiling, wiring, and connecting the library to electricity.
    Local leaders have pledged support to ensure completion and sustainability.

• Community Engagements: Multiple meetings were held with chiefs, elders, and educational stakeholders to secure community commitment for library renovations and long-term sustainability of project resources.

 

Communities Involved:
Kwamekyemkrom, Pokukrom, Amangoase, Nsuta, Nyamebekyere 1, Ohiapae, Onyinanufu, Mmrobem, Nyamebekyere, and Kwakunum.

Stakeholders Engaged:
District Directors of Education, traditional leaders (chiefs, elders, spokespersons), and school-level actors (PTAs, SMCs, parents, headteachers, teachers).

Upcoming Activities

1. Reading activity for 10 clubs in Ahafo Ano South West District (Sept 2025).

2. Cluster-level reading competition (Nov 2025) for all 20 clubs.

3. Renovation and commissioning of Amangoase and Nyinanufu cluster libraries.

4. Procurement of additional storybooks for distribution.

5. Ongoing monitoring of reading clubs in all 20 communities.

6. Continued community engagement to support sustainability.