Boamang Wins Otumfuo Community Reading Challenge Jubilee Edition

A student of Nkwantakese D/A Junior High School (JHS) and representative of Boamang in the Afigya Kwabre North District of the Ashanti Region has emerged as the winner of the Jubilee Edition of the Otumfuo Community Reading Challenge (OCRC).

Francis Osei Boamah stood out among four female contestants who scrambled for the ultimate.

The event took place at Manhyia Palace on Friday, September 20, 2024.

Traditional authorities who graced the event were Asafohene Akyamfour Asafo Boakye Agyeman Bonsu who represented Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Otumfuo Hiahene, Nana Prof Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene II who is also Board Chairman of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation (OOTIIF), Konahene Nana Konadu Yiadom Kumanin IV, Tredehene Nana Nuben Sra III, Feyiasehene Nana Addae Gyamera, Kunsuhene Nana Agyeman Duah, Nkwantakesehene Nana Boakye Yam Ababio, Agogohemaa Nana Afrakoma Obuadum, Tafohemaa Nana Obi Yaa Atakora II and others.

Also present were the Member of Parliament (MP) for Atwima Kwanwoma, Kofi Amankwaa Manu, Deputy Education Minister, Hon. Kingsley Nyarko, Education Directors across the region and others.

60 Community Champions
60 set out on the journey to the final following their success at the community level.

They included representatives of Konongo, Mampong, Offinso, Boaman, Kodie, Ejisu, Twedie, Mampongten, Kenyasi, Kwadaso, Tanoso, Atonsu, Tafo, BuoKrom, Bantama, Santasi, Asafo, Suame, Breman and Domeabra.

Also included were Fomena, Nsuta, Agona, Drobonso, Kumawu, Adugyama, Effiduase, Mankranso, Kunsu, Abuakwa, Barekese, Kuntenase, Feyiase, Trede, Asawase, Asokore Mampong, Asokwa, Dekyemso, Oduom and Manso Nkwanta.

The rest were Manso Adubea, Jacubu, Akrofrom, Obuasi Tutuka, Obuasi Municipal, Adansi Asokwa, Bekwai, Dwaaso, Agogo, New Adubuase Asiwa, Ejura, Kona, Juaben, Tepa, Akomadan, Nyinahini, Toase, Nkawie and Oforikrom.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Foundation said the competition reflects Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s commitment to ensuring that every young person no matter their background get access to opportunities that nurture their love for reading and learning.

“What makes it remarkable is that of the 60 Community Champions, 52 are girls and eight are boys. This is a clear indication of how our young girls are stepping forward to claim their place in education. We are immensely proud of each one of them.”

“We have had contestants from every area in the Ashanti Region even from the remotest areas which tells us that the spirit of competition knows no boundary. This year’s journey has been an inspiration not just for our contestants but for all of us who have witnessed the determination, brilliance and potentials of our young ones.”

Calling for partnership to expand to other regions, Otumfuo Hiahene expressed gratitude to sponsors, guardians and the public for subscribing to the initiative.

“Otumfuo Foundation hopes to incorporate our brothers and sisters from Ahafo Region, Bono Region, Bono East and in all twi-speaking regions in this wonderful initiative.”

Reading Significance
In his remarks, the Deputy Minister for Education, Hon. Kingsley Nyarko underscored the significance of reading to education and human development.

“Reading comprehension is needed for us to benefit fully from the things in education. If you can read and read well, then it means your success in every facet of life is guaranteed. Those who read succeed, those who read progress, those who read are able to transform themselves, their families, their societies, and the nation.”

Commitment
Also speaking at the event, Asante Sika Dwa Mma, Asante group based in the United Kingdom (UK) committed itself to sponsoring a trip by the first three champions of the next edition (2025) to the UK.

“We are delighted to announce that the first, second and third winners will be sponsored on a fully-paid UK trip.”

Finalists
After going through the knock out stage and semi-final, five sailed through to the grand finale with their superb reading skills.

They included Francis Osei Boamah representative of Boamang Community, Salamatu Issah, representative of Mankranso Community, Maame Twumwaa Antwi Baffour, the representative of Feyiase Community, Akua Amankwaa, the representative of Twedie Community and Freda Mensah Acheampong, the Mampong Community.

The five battled in a fiercely contested race for the ultimate prize.

Winner
Francis took an early marginal lead in the competition and determined the pace of the second round having scored 48.6 with just a 0.4 margin away from Feyiase.

Twedie followed with 47.5, Mampong with 47.3 and Mankranso 46.4.

In the second round, Feyiase tried to no avail to beat the leader, though she managed to reduce the margin to 0.1, having scored 48.0.

Mankranso strived to take the third place in the second round with a score of 47.0, followed by Mampong with 46.9 and Twedie with 46.6.

Francis carried the day with a total score of 96.7. The second place was taken by Maame Twumwaa with a score of 96.2 while Akua took the third place with 94.3.

Freda ended the race with a total of 94.2 while Salamatu had 93.4.

Prizes
Aside from the bragging right, Francis Owusu Boamah took home ¢10,000 cedis, prizes from sponsors, Twellium Industry, Promasidor Ghana, Indomie, Madar etc, a full tertiary scholarship package and got ¢10,000 for his school.

The First Runner-up got a trophy, ¢6,000 each for herself and her school while the Second Runner-up also got a trophy, ¢4,000 each for herself and her school.

The third runner-up bagged a trophy, ¢3,000 each for herself and her school and the fourth runner-up pocketed ¢2,000 each for herself and her school.

All four also took home prizes from sponsors including Twellium industry, Promasidor, Indomie, Madar etc and tablets from their Members of Parliament.

Francis at the end of the event shared his excitement and experience with Opemsuo Radio’s Johnson Owusu Aduomi.

“I was nervous before the results of the first round were announced but after that my confidence was boosted.”

“I thank Otumfuo and his Foundation and pray for blessings for His Majesty. Long live the King,” he added.

About OCRC
The Otumfuo Community Reading Challenge was instituted by the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation (OOTIIF) in 2021, reflecting Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s steadfast commitment to the education of the youth of this country.

The maiden edition had over 7,500 students in schools in Kumasi Metropolitan Area participating. It was eventually won by George Dame, a representative of Anomanye.

In the second edition, 9,800 participated from schools within the greater Kumasi Area and was won by Lordina Serwaa Agyapong, representative of Tafo.

This year, the challenge was held in 43 districts in the Ashanti Region.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini