The 2026 edition of Akra Reads! has concluded at the Korle Gonno Community Library, where SSB Memorial School emerged as the winner of the pilot Lade Wosornu Students Poetry Contest for Junior High Schools.
The annual festival brought together mainly students from across Accra for a programme of literary activities and competitions.
The poetry contest was jointly organised by the Creative Arts Agency of Ghana and Ghana Reads Initiative. Its aim was to encourage greater interest in poetry and promote the use and appreciation of Ghanaian languages among students.
Seven basic schools, representing both the private and public sectors, took part in the competition. They were Nanka Bruce Basic School, Glorious Prince Academy, SSB Memorial School, Hampstead Academy, SATOC Academy, Mamprobi Methodist Basic School and Josephus Memorial School.
Competitors were assessed across three sections: performance in English, performance in Ga, and a Questions and Answers round.
SSB Memorial School finished top overall after the three rounds. Hampstead Academy placed second, while Nanka Bruce Basic School completed the top three.
There were also awards for individual performances and specific achievements. Mamprobi Methodist Basic School received the prize for Best Performance in Ga, and Hampstead Academy won Best Performance in English.
The Best Spoken Word Award went to Samiratu Ismail of Nanka Bruce Basic School.
The poetry contest formed part of a wider programme at Akra Reads! 2026. Other activities included Yumvita Read n’ Bounce, Read n’ Play Video Game and Read n’ Chat with Linda Ampah.
More than 400 participants attended the festival across all of its sessions.
Yumvita Ghana, Osu Children’s Library Fund and Adwinsa Publications joined the Creative Arts Agency of Ghana and Ghana Reads Initiative as partners for this year’s edition.
The closing ceremony was attended by Mr. Carl Ampah, National Programme Officer at UNESCO Ghana; Mr. Gideon Aryeequaye, Executive Secretary of the Creative Arts Agency of Ghana; Mr. Benjamin Klu, Executive Secretary of the Ghana Publishers Association; and Mr. Albert Koomson, National Director of Ghana Reads Initiative.
Headmistresses, teachers and other guests were also present at the event.
