Imbibe reading habit in children – GhLA

The Ghana Library Authority (GhLA) has urged Ghanaians to promote reading culture among children in order to lay a solid foundation for them in all facets of education.

Mr. Guy Amarteifio, Greater Accra Regional Librarian and GhLA Connectivity Coordinator said one cannot talk of development without mentioning libraries, noting that libraries are information oriented institutions which collect, organise, store and disseminate information to meet the needs of its users.

He said information is now being described as one of the factors of production if not the most important, and Ghana cannot acquire information or knowledge without reading.

Mr. Amarteifio gave the advice during a durbar of school children to mark this year’s International Childrens Book Day, which was instituted by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), in honour of the renowned Danish Writer, Hans Christian Andersen who contributed immensely to the development of childrens books.

He said the objective of the Day is to inculcate reading habits in children and young people. This year’s event is being sponsored by IBBY Ireland on the theme: Imagine Nations through Story.

He said the GhLA as part of its core responsibilities, educates, informs, entertains and promotes the cultural activities of its community.

Mr. Amarteifio enumerated a lot of projects GhLA had embarked upon, such as the mobile library project for school children, the creation of French corners to teach the public French, information and communications technology centres, extension of its closing hours from six pm to seven pm to enable workers to be able to make good use of the libraries to upgrade their knowledge.

He said due to their innovative efforts in promoting reading and learning, school children patronage of the Accra Central Library increased from 10,587 in 2012 to 15,206 in 2013, whilst that of adults increased from 22,614 in 2012 to 61,380 during the year under review.

He lauded Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) for equipping the Authority’s 10 regional and 26 districts offices with computers, photocopiers and scanners.

He appealed to the government, corporate entities and philanthropists to help the Authority to fix its numerous challenges such as broken down mobile library vans, lack of funds for electricity pre-paid payments, books and computers.

Mr. Samuel Aryee, Finance Director of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly asked the school children to take their studies very seriously, and to be respectful and obedient.

Dr. Perpetua Dadzie, President of the Ghana Library Association said reading is the key to unlocking one's imagination power.

She advised the children to read to enhance their knowledge base.

Mr. Kofi Attor, GIFEC Chief Executive Officer, advised teachers to encourage children to develop the culture and habit of reading.

GhLA organised reading, essay writing, spelling bee, quiz and poetry recital competitions for 15 junior high schools (JHSs), primary schools and pre-schools in the Accra Metropolitan Area as part of the day.

Each school was given a certificate of participation and a set of books, whilst individual contestants who distinguished themselves also received prizes.

Master David Sackey of Bethany Methodist Primary won the best contestant for the quiz category, while Benas Preparatory School was adjudged the overall best school for winning in the quiz, reading and spelling bee competition