- Salutations
- Honourable Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, MP,
- Honourable Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, MP,
- Board Chairperson for Ghana Library Authority, Dr. Helena Asamoah-Hassan,
- Board Chairperson of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Ms. Elizabeth Ohene,
- Chief Executive of Ghana Library Authority, Mr. Hayford Siaw,
- Director General of SSNIT, Dr. John Ofori-Tenkorang,
- Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan,
- Members of the Diplomatic Community,
- School children, media, distinguished invited guests, ladies, and gentlemen.
ALL PROTOCOLS OBSERVED
I wish to thank the Governing Board and the Ghana Library Authority management for the invitation to commission this library facility.
Building a culture of reading among citizens requires deliberate efforts on the part of parents and the State. Children in their formative years require consistent exposure to books to build and sustain interest in reading and also for knowledge.
It is on this premise that the 2018-2030 Education Strategic Plan is anchored: on making Ghana a learning nation. Ghana cannot be a learning nation if it does not prioritise access to knowledge resources through the public library system. Since 2017, the government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s investment in the Ghana Library Authority has been visible all over the country. The dynamism of its leadership to collaborate with international and local partners to drive growth is encouraging. The collaboration with Members of Parliament, District Assemblies, and development partners to expand the public library network in Ghana is inspiring.
As a government, we cannot do it all, and so it is worth noting the strides made in leveraging these partnerships to advance a culture of life-long learning in Ghana. If our country is to sustain growth in its economic performance, the need to build a literate society cannot be underestimated.
The ability of children to read and write by the age of ten is the surest way to close Ghana’s current learning poverty gap. We face a learning and human capital catastrophe without urgent action to reduce learning poverty. It is, therefore, exciting to witness the efforts of the Ghana Library Authority in revamping public libraries in the country and working to address the systemic challenges confronting the State in achieving those goals.
Through the Ghana Library Authority, Government has focused on key priority areas over the past six years to reach this far. They include:
- Strengthening the institution of the Ghana Library Authority: To deliver on its mandate through various capacity-building initiatives, both local and international. The development of a new scheme of service for the Authority has defined a new and progressive career pathway for staff. The government, through GETFUND, has also provided 20 new pickup vehicles for the Authority’s operations, including revamping its mobile library services by fixing its vans to be motorable. The government has also increased the personnel of the Library Authority to 532.
- Expanding the footprint of public libraries in Ghana: Government has helped increase the number of public libraries from 61 in 2017 to 115 at the end of 2022.
- Technology: We have provided internet connections to 29 public libraries and some 688 computers to support computer literacy initiatives at 67 public libraries across the country. Government has also invested in developing and rolling out the Digital Library App, currently managed by the Ghana Library Authority. The App, which is zero-rated by some of the telecommunication companies, allows every Ghanaian to have access to eBooks, videos, and audio resources. The government relied on GhLA during the COVID-19 school closure period to use this platform to assure learning continuity.
- Books: Government has increased the number of books on the shelves of public libraries from 393,430 in 2016 to 1,281,839 at the end of 2022, a 325% increase in six years.
- Renovation of old libraries: 48 out of the 61 libraries inherited in 2017 have received a facelift, creating a conducive environment for learners.
All the above investments demonstrate our commitment to improving literacy levels in the country and creating an enabling environment for every learner to thrive. Congratulations to the Ghana Library Authority for leading the charge to achieve this success in the thematic areas.
Your relentless efforts have led to the global recognition of your work. Congratulations on being named the Library of the Year for 2021 by the London International Book Fair Excellence Awards and on your recognition by the United Nations Public Service Awards for driving inclusive and equitable technology education in Ghana.
The library I am commissioning today is a step closer to getting more Ghanaian children to access relevant reading and learning resources.
I commend the Board and Management of SSNIT for collaborating with the Ghana Library Authority to undertake this project for the children of Accra. I take this opportunity to call on corporate institutions to emulate the example of SSNIT and to do more for the Ghanaian child. It is my vision to see every district in Ghana benefit from a befitting public library infrastructure of this nature.
Congratulations to all who have been part of this wonderful project.
I seize this occasion to congratulate the winners of the 2022 Vacation Reading challenge organised by the Ghana Library Authority with the support of Scholastic.
I hereby declare the National Children and Mobile Library duly commissioned.
Thank you.
