Professor Stephen Adai, former Director-General of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), on Friday, urged Ghanaians to develop the habit of reading, since it helps build up an individual's comprehensive and creative ability in the acquisition of knowledge for development.
He challenged Parents to encourage their wards to read books from infancy, to instill in them, positive attitudes, for a better life in future.
He made the call at a programme dubbed "Night of the Arts", organised by the Ghana Association of Writers and under the auspices of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) and the National theatre.
It was to recognize and appreciate the immense contributions played by writers in the country.
Professor Adai said the mark of a good leader involves total commitment to duty, which includes character, competence and care, and that, all this knowledge can be found in books.
He said most African leaders lack leadership qualities hence they govern according to their own parochial interest at the expense of their nations.
He urged African politicians to think positively in their work to help project the image of their various countries.
Professor Adai advised the youth to be focused and plan strategically for their future
and not to waste their productive hours browsing the Internet and watching films.
Professor Kwesi Agyemang, a former lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon, said a successfully leader is the one who gives direction and have a vision to mobilize the people to achieve a common shared objective.
"Reading is a very important part of our lives. We need to take time everyday and read at least 20 to 30 minutes. It really helps when you read out aloud and listen to yourself, and how you pronounce your words", he said.
He said it was important to take whatever steps needed to help one to learn the Art of Reading.
Professor Agyeman said being able to read fluently helps with comprehension and vocabulary and also memory skills, which gives one the confidence to keep on reading.
He said it was important to buy and read African novels to improve ones understanding of currents issues that affect developing countries and Africa in particular.