President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has made it clear that the naming of a library at Frafraha after his late father had nothing to do with him and that he did not influence the decision that was taken by the Ghana Library Board (GLB). Speaking at the commissioning of the project at Frafraha near Adentan in the Greater Accra Region recently, he said, “before I am predictably accused by my political opponents of seeking the unwarranted glorification of my father, it must be put on record that this decision was taken solely by the governing board without any input or knowledge by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.”
Meanwhile, “My siblings, Marigold, Edward and I, thank the Ghana Library Authority once again, for the honour done the memory of our late father, Edward Akufo-Addo,” President Akufo-Addo added.
110TH LIBRARY
The Edward Akufo-Addo library is the 110th public library under the Ghana Library Authority (GLA).The facility will enable residents of Frafraha and its environs to have access to quality educational materials. The library is stocked with 21,679 books for both adults and children.
It has a 250 seating capacity library, and also equipped with 50 computers for digital skills training and for access to the library’s digital repository. The library also has free Wi-Fi connectivity for users.
COMMISSIONING
Delivering his address at the short ceremony, President Akufo-Addo appealed to Ghanaians to support his administration’s drive to expand access to libraries across the country.
He said while emphasizing that the accessibility of libraries is essential for sustainable development.
The President was not happy that after 71 years of public library services in the country, most Ghanaians still did not have access to such important community anchor institutions “whose role in the growth and development of our society is extremely positive.”
However, he was impressed with the growth drive by the GLA, highlighting the expansion of library network through various strategic partnerships, and the introduction of the digital library, the provision of access through mobile phones, the increase of books on the shelves of libraries across the country.
According to the President, the Government had over the last five years redefined the mandate of the GLA and charged it to be responsive to the growing needs of the Ghanaian population.
ENCOURAGEMENT
President Akufo-Addo ceased the opportunity to encourage all Ghanaians to support the expansion of library services for the benefit of all. He opined that the nation cannot achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 4 by relegating the development of libraries to the background. The goal 4 requires that countries promote quality education for all.
The President observed that the renovations carried out on dilapidated libraries, the availability of internet and computers, the reintroduction of mobile library services, as well as the design of many other innovative solutions and programmes, were geared towards making Ghana a truly reading and learning nation.
He commended some individuals, including his wife, Rebecca, the deputy majority leader in parliament and member for Efutu constituency, Alexander Afenyo Markin, and Mr. Eugene Arhin, the director of Communications at the Presidency, who have made considerable contributions to the expansion of library services in the country.
The “Rebecca Foundation” has built and handed over 10 library facilities to the GLA and is working on six more. Mr. Afenyo Markin has constructed, furnished and handed over 13 library facilities to the Authority, whilst Mr. Arhin recently handed over a fully furnished library at Awutu Breku in the Central Region.
