The Ghana Library
Authority (GhLA) marked World Book and Copyright Day this year by pledging to
utilize technology to enhance the country's literacy rate. Mr. Hayford Siaw,
the CEO of the authority, stated that the organization has implemented
innovative programs over the past four years that have aided Ghanaians in
accessing relevant knowledge.
Hayford Siaw, stated that the GhLA has introduced several
innovative initiatives over the past four years to connect Ghanaians to
relevant knowledge.
One of the initiatives, Read2Skills, has provided over 44,000 Ghanaians with
the opportunity to study and obtain micro-credential accreditation for free.
The GhLA also deployed a Digital Library App that was zero-rated by some
telecommunication companies, rolled out Early Grade Community Reading
Interventions, and established youth engagement centers, among other
initiatives.
Previously, individuals had to visit the George Padmore Library to apply for
International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN), International Standard Serial
Numbers (ISSN), and International Standard Music Numbers (ISMN). However, the
process has been automated, enabling clients to apply for them digitally from
anywhere in Ghana.
The CEO also mentioned other notable achievements of the authority, such as
increasing the number of public libraries in Ghana from 61 in 2017 to 109 in
2022 and renovating 79 senior high school libraries and 49 public libraries out
of the 61 libraries that existed in 2018. The GhLA has also recruited 179
personnel to enhance work activities, bringing the total personnel strength to
566 as of the end of 2021. The authority is presently negotiating a new
condition of service with the Fair Income and Salary Commission.
Due to its unmatched change, the GhLA received two significant global
recognitions last year, the London Book Fair International Excellence Award for
Library of the Year and the United Nations Public Service Award for its work on
the hands-on mobile ICT classes project to drive inclusive and equitable
technology education in Ghana.
Dr. Helena Asamoah-Hassan, the Board Chair of the GhLA, commended the authority
for its excellent work through its various initiatives and worth applauding.