The competition, which took place on October 31, 2026, at the Gagnoa city hall, was organized as part of the second phase of a pilot project aimed at encouraging parents to read with their children and younger siblings. The event targeted learners from non-formal education and literacy centers. Doumbia Amadou will represent the Gagnoa Regional Directorate of National Education and Literacy (DRENA) at the national finals in Abidjan.
According to Doumbia, his victory was a result of hard work and dedication. He revealed that he often stayed up late studying, driven by his desire to improve his reading and writing skills. Doumbia began attending classes in 2022, at the age of 23, and has since made significant progress. He expressed his frustration with being unable to read and write, which motivated him to work harder.
The competition consisted of several stages, including reading a text, answering questions, writing a message on WhatsApp, and performing calculations using a mobile phone calculator. Five contestants participated, including one male. The project, initiated in 2025, aims to promote literacy and encourage a culture of reading among adults and children.
Kouamé Vaka Engéline, the project coordinator, explained that the initiative seeks to address the high rate of illiteracy in Côte d'Ivoire, which stands at 46.5%. The project focuses on creating autonomous learners who can continue to develop their skills independently. Engéline emphasized that the goal is to produce ambassadors who can promote literacy among their peers.
The project covers five communes, including four learning cities (Dimbokro, Boundiali, Bouaké, and Gagnoa) and one creative city (Korhogo). The Gagnoa DRENA has 80 literacy centers with 1,060 learners, of whom 865 are women. The centers offer non-formal education and literacy programs for adults who missed out on formal schooling.
Yamba Salmata, the regional director of education in Gagnoa, expressed her satisfaction with the progress made by the learners. She noted that it is remarkable to see adults who have never attended school before learning to read, write, and calculate. Salmata emphasized the importance of literacy and encouraged the continuation of such initiatives.
The competition is part of a larger effort to promote literacy and reduce illiteracy in Côte d'Ivoire. The project's success has encouraged stakeholders to consider scaling up the initiative nationwide. Doumbia Amadou's victory is a testament to the potential for adults to acquire new skills and improve their lives through literacy programs.
Key points
- Doumbia Amadou, a 25-year-old blacksmith, won the regional intergenerational reading competition in Gagnoa, Côte d'Ivoire.
- The competition was part of a pilot project aimed at promoting literacy and encouraging a culture of reading among adults and children.
- The project seeks to address the high rate of illiteracy in Côte d'Ivoire, which stands at 46.5%.
