Oduom Rep Wins 2026 Otumfuo Community Reading Challenge
Joycelyn Akosua Manu Duah, a student of Weweso M/A JHS ‘A’, has emerged as the winner of the 2026 Otumfuo Community Reading Challenge (OCRC).
The finals were held on October 2, 2026, at the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Jubilee Hall at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
Joycelyn, who represented Oduom, beat four other contenders, including representatives from Barekese, Kumawu, Twedie, and Duayaw Nkwanta, to clinch the ultimate prize.
She scored 47.6 points in the first round and 47.6 points in the second round, for a total of 95.2 points.
Second place went to Stephanie Agyeiwaa, rep for Duayaw Nkwanta in the Ahafo Region, with 95.1 points.
Twedie’s Magdalene Duodu Akwabang placed third with 94.3 points, Kumawu’s Randy Yiadom came fourth with 92.9 points, and Barekese’s Samuel Kyeremeh placed fifth with 91 points.
All five finalists received prizes from sponsors of the programme, including tablets and cash.
The event was graced by Nana Prof. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene, Otumfuo Hiahene; Baffour Owusu Amankwatia VI, Bantamahene; Esther Donkor, Atwima Nwabiagya North Municipal Director of Education; Daniel Kyei, Atwima Kwanwoma District Director of Education; Dorothy Opare, Oforikrom Municipal Director of Education; and others.
In his address, Nana Prof. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene, who doubles as Chairman of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation (OOTIIF), said the initiative reflects the vision of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, to promote a strong culture of reading among young people.
“It doesn’t matter what you become later on — if you can’t read, you cannot analyse anything. Whether you are a physician, lawyer, carpenter or whatever you become, you have to be able to comprehend,” he said.
Expansion
The revered traditional leader expressed delight at the expansion of the challenge to cover the Ahafo Region this year and announced plans to extend it to other regions.
“I am pleased to see Duayaw Nkwanta as one of our finalists from Ahafo. We want to create more opportunities for young people across the regions, and hopefully we will extend to Bono, Bono East, Oti and all others,” he stated.
He encouraged students to see the challenge not only as an opportunity to win prizes but as a lifelong platform to develop the habit of reading.
“The knowledge and confidence gained through reading will remain with you long after this competition, and we are very grateful to our anchor partners.”
