Students in Ghana are gaining fresh opportunities to explore the richness of African literature as United Bank for Africa (UBA) Ghana deepens its investment in education and youth development. Through its flagship Read Africa Project, the bank has rolled out interactive reading clinics, book donations, and awareness programmes designed to boost literacy skills and build a strong culture of reading among young people.
The recent outreach took place at Fiaseman Senior High School in Tarkwa, Accra Academy in the capital city, and Osei Tutu Senior High School in Kumasi, where students and teachers received new collections of African books. Among the titles donated were The Kaya Girl by Ghanaian author Mamle Wolo and Segu by Guadeloupean writer Maryse Condé, both carefully selected to reflect African values, history, and creativity.
Representatives of UBA Ghana, speaking at the ceremonies in the three regions, said the initiative was part of the bank’s long-term commitment to help young Africans grow into leaders who are not only academically competent but also emotionally resilient and socially responsible. They described education as one of the most powerful tools for transformation, both for individuals and for communities.
The Read Africa Project, which has been running for years in several African countries where UBA operates, is timed this year to align with activities leading up to International Literacy Day in September. According to the bank, encouraging students to read African stories helps them connect with their cultural heritage, improve communication skills, and develop empathy.
In their remarks, school authorities expressed deep appreciation to UBA Ghana for what they described as a timely and impactful gesture. Teachers noted that many schools face challenges in providing students with up-to-date and engaging reading materials, and initiatives like this help bridge the gap. Some students also voiced their excitement, explaining that the donated books will not only help with their English and literature studies but also inspire them to imagine new possibilities.
Beyond donating books, UBA Ghana also used the platform to remind students of its National Essay Competition, an annual programme that challenges young people to showcase their writing and critical thinking skills. The competition awards university scholarships to the top three finalists, making higher education more accessible for outstanding students. By combining book donations with writing competitions, UBA is strengthening both literacy and academic performance while supporting families who face the financial burden of tertiary education.
The bank explained that its education initiatives are not just about academic success but also about character development. By reading stories rooted in African experiences, students are expected to learn values of empathy, inclusion, and respect for diversity. This, UBA believes, is critical in building the next generation of African leaders who will approach leadership with vision and humanity.
For UBA, the Read Africa Project is also about creating equal opportunities for young people regardless of their background. Literacy remains one of the major challenges in many African countries, and research has shown that students who read more perform better academically and develop stronger problem-solving skills. By putting books into the hands of students and encouraging them to read for pleasure as well as for study, UBA Ghana is giving them a head start in education and in life.
The project has also been praised by education stakeholders as a model of public-private partnership that directly benefits communities. They argue that banks and other corporations have a crucial role to play in national development, not just through financial services but also by supporting social programmes that empower young people.
Across Africa, UBA’s footprint in education continues to grow, with similar projects being rolled out in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and other countries. In Ghana, the momentum of this initiative is expected to inspire more students to cultivate the habit of reading and see books as a gateway to imagination, knowledge, and opportunity.
With this latest intervention, UBA Ghana has once again positioned itself not just as a financial institution but also as a partner in shaping the future of young Africans through education.
