Second lady urges librarians to educate citizens on new MDGs

The Wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Matilda Amissah Arthur has charged librarians in the country to take the lead role in educating citizens on the new MDGs goals by embracing the task of keeping up with new trends in the information sourcing industry.

She was speaking at the opening ceremony of the International Workshop on the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 on the Africa we want.

The Agenda 2030, which is a framework of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 associated targets, builds on the Millennium Development Goals. It was under the theme “Librarianship and the demands for new Leadership Skills,’’ at the Balme library at the University of Ghana Legon in Accra.

Mrs. Matilda Amissah Arthur said The Agenda 2030 seeks to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice and tackle climate change by 2030. The vision of the UN is for all countries to be involved in achieving the goals so that no one is left behind.So it was very important for the citizens to be educated on this three goals.

She said Libraries and information services support many aspects of the UN Agenda 2030 and it is for that reason that this workshop is being organized to sensitize stakeholders especially the library and information workers, on the vital role they have to play in development at every level of society.

Similarly, the Africa Union (AU) Agenda 2063 has specific roles for the information sector. Agenda 2063 is both a Vision and an Action Plan and based on seven aspirations. It is a call for action to all segments of African society to work together to build a prosperous and united Africa based on shared values and a common destiny.

It was a Collaborative International Workshop organised by the Nigerian Liberian Association (IT Section) in conjunction with the Ghana Library Association (GLA)

Mrs. Amissah Arthur,a librarian for over 30 years and the first female President of the Ghana Librarian Association , noted that it was very important for them to partners government and stakeholders in achieving the Millennium Development Goals

Mrs. Amissah Arthur said overtime library services have become more dynamic with technological advancement worldwide so the need to upgrade ways and systems that support sourcing of information.

Other speakers at the programme included the president of the Ghana Library Association Professor Perpetual Dadzie, Professor Ellis Badu the University of Ghana librarian. the keynote speaker for the occasion Ms. Radhika, Economic Adviser, UNDP , and Professor. Cephas N. Omenyo, Provost of College of Education ,UG.

The two-day workshop will address the following topics: like Contents of the UN Agenda 2030 and AU Agenda 2063.Areas of interest to libraries in the Agenda. Expectations of libraries and archives in the realisation of national and international plans Over 50 participants are attending .