Government backs e-Ananse libraries project

Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Deputy Minister of Education, has promised government support towards the establishment of e- Ananse libraries in the country.

According to him, the Akufo-Addo led administration is committed to enhancing more libraries to provide more space for community activities, such as a children's learning space, digital learning area, among other initiatives, for better growth.

In a keynote address at the launch of e- Ananse libraries at the University of Ghana, Legon campus last Friday, Dr. Adutwum said:

''When you see the private sector engaging in building libraries, it becomes more of better initiative for country building. And as you all know, the Akufo-Addo government is committed to a better standard of our educational system. I commend West Blue for this, there are more other things you could have done, but decided to invest in libraries, the Ministry promises to support this”.

Dr. Osei Adutwum said the establishment of the library was very appropriate and timely, adding that, in a growing competitive world, life-long learning had become the only way to grow intellectually.

He said knowledge could only be acquired through reading and that Ghana had no option than to reignite the reading culture in the country for better progress.

He indicated that studies had also revealed that many children in sub-Saharan African countries struggle at the lower primary level to read in the official or any local language. He said even in instances where they are able to read, they do not understand what they have read.

He tasked the owners of the library to try more in establishing similar initiatives in the deprived communities.

''Even though this is located at a more better place, reach out to the Zongo communities, reach out to the inner community because when the story of this e- Ananse is being written, what will make it stand out is when you could say that a student called Ibrahim, used to walk here from Madina, visited this library many times, and you can say, your success in measured in terms of how Ibrahim became a medical doctor or a lawyer in spite of his humble beginning.

“When the results happen to be that, Adam from the Zongo community became a teacher or journalist because he visited this library frequently. That’s the positive results needed. This new sort of technology library reaching out to them would do all the miracle,'' he added.

The launch was not only on the celebration of the opening of the new libraries, but a commemoration of Ghanaian story-telling in all its forms, from the oral to the written.

The launch also saw many dignitaries gracing the event, they were Mr Kofi Asante, CEO of GIFEC, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Deputy Minister of Education among others.

Music Interlude was adhered by Kwan Pa Music Band, the group treated patrons to good Ghanaian music

About e-Ananse Libraries

The e-Ananse Libraries are to help revitalize Ghana’s reading culture and provide people with the tools to compete in the 21st Century by giving them access to high-quality contemporary literature, state-of-the-art computing facilities, and world-class literary events.

The two libraries situated at the University of Ghana, Legon campus and Osu has an e-Ananse technology centre, christened the Innovation Hub, which is equipped with internet-enabled PCs to give library-members access to the full range of resources available on the World Wide Web.

According to Authorities of the library, to register as a member of the e-Ananse Libraries cost of 20 Cedis per year for adults and 10 Cedis Per year for children and opened from Tuesdays to Fridays, 12 PM - 8 PM as well as on Saturdays, 10 am - 6 PM.