Make use of libraries in the country – Ghana Library Authority to Ghanaians

Acting Chief Executive of Ghana Library Authority (GLA), Hayford Siaw has said the GLA will by end of this year stock its libraries across the country with 100,000 new books and is calling on Ghanaians, especially students to utilize them to acquire reading and writing skills.

World-leading book donor, Book Aid International which is partnering the Ghana Library Authority in the 'Year of reading' project has already supplied the Authority 30,000 of the books and will be providing the rest as the year goes by.

Speaking to the media at the Ghana Library Authority during the World Book Day celebration, Mr Siaw stated that encouraging children to read will promote literacy in the country.

“This year, we are adding over 100,000 books to our collections and there is no better way than engaging with children on such an important day to make sure that our doors are opened and to expose them to the varied materials that we have to promote learning outcomes in this country.”

He added that “we are funded by public purse so if we don’t go out there for Ghanaians to make use of the resources that government of Ghana has committed in supporting us, then, we wouldn’t have lived up to expectation. For us, the increase in the number of people borrowing our books, visiting our libraries, utilizing our resources will be essential for the growth and development of the library authority”.

On February 19, 2019, the GLA launched 2019 as the year of reading with the theme ‘Reading for progress’ and Mr Siaw said his outfit hopes to see an increase in people utilizing public libraries in the country.

Head of Corporate Affairs for the Authority, Veronica Ofosuhemaa Owusu-Ansah noted that the Authority is revamping the 61 libraries they have across the regions and are looking forward to adding fifteen more so more people can have access to a library facility.

She added that the Authority is developing an app where e-content of books will be uploaded for easy access.

She said, “On the digital front, we are automating our system to the extent that when you have to visit our library in Wa and there is a particular book that you need there, you’d have to go on our app which is underway to aid in the mobility of persons in accessing a book”.

Reading Ambassador for the Ghana Library Authority, Rami Baitie noted that Ghanaians find it pretty difficult in reading but urged them to start reading the dailies and fictional story books.

“I discovered that this country, it’s very difficult to get people to actually pay attention and say yes, I’ll read that book. Now, people don’t have to read textbooks, they can read fictions, read anything. My job is to just make them aware so they start reading something. Start with the Daily Graphic and move on from there.” Mr Baitie said.