Ghanaian author, Portia Arthur engages kids at The Reading Hub; preaches the importance of reading

Ghanaian author Portia Arthur on Sunday honoured a visit to The Reading Hub in Buduburam to preach the importance of cultivating a reading culture among children.

The 29-year-old shared time with the kids at the club, educating them on the need to take reading seriously.

The Reading Hub is a club with a vision to raise a generation of avid readers to become great leaders.

The club is on a mission to provide a serene and enabling atmosphere in all communities in Ghana where children gather, network and grow their passion for books.

Portia took the kids through various reading habits, before sharing gifts to those to excelled in a mini-spelling competition she organised.

“It is good to look up to people. To have mentors like our main character, Milly in the book, AGAINST THE ODDS we just read. However, don’t copy blindly. Pick up the good things about the person and build on it. Most importantly, be original, be creative, work hard and hard stop praying,” Portia urged them.

On cultivating a culture of reading, she said: “Reading is not just about accumulating more vocabulary, although it is very important for effective communication. Reading broadens our knowledge to face obstacles and be a better version of ourselves. 

“No matter what you want to become in the future, education is key because it helps to manage ourselves, boost our confidence and voice out effectively whether written or oral. Lastly,, always share a book with family and friends.”

The Founder of The Reading Hub, Ms Harriet Woode, also expressed her gratitude to Portia for taking time off her busy schedules to inspire the kids.

“I express our deepest thanks for your presence and gifts during our session yesterday, 10th November 2019. Your presence served as a source of great motivation to the children at The Reading Hub,” she said in an appreciation letter.

“I had so many students tell me that they would also love to become authors after their encounter with you yesterday. You really impacted them.”

Portia is currently a writer/journalist at Pulse Ghana (Pulse.com.gh), where she serves as head of the health and lifestyle desk in the newsroom.

The mother of two is on a mission to cultivate a culture of reading among Ghanaian children, especially those living in deprived areas.

She launched her debut book titled “Against The Odds” in November 2017. The book was launched as part of her “Book Per Child” project which aims to inspire the next generation of children through reading.

Last year she began the distribution of her books to some students and churches in a bid to instil the culture of reading.

The project is currently in its formative years, but the long-term goal is to help as many pupils nurture their writing skills.

Some weeks ago, Portia donated 100 copies of her maiden novel to students of Bokemi Academy in Kokrobite.

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