Ho schools get GH¢125,000 library facility
A community library project sponsored by the SIC Insurance Company (SIC), in collaboration with Joy FM’s “Read 100” project, at an estimated cost of GH¢125,000, has been inaugurated for schools in Ho at Ho-Kpodzi.
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The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ho-Central, Mr Benjamin Kpodo, and the SIC jointly sourced books valued at GH¢3, 000 from Afram Publications to stock the library.
In an inaugural address, the managing director of SIC, Mrs Doris Awo Nkani, said the project was undertaken in line with the social responsibility of the company, aimed at generating reading among the people, in support of the development of the nation’s human resource.
She said the company had over the years contributed to national development in several ways, and that the community library was one of such gestures, meant to take children off the streets to help them to improve on their reading skills for self-expression and pride.
Mrs Nkani said although the facility was located on the compound of the Evangelical Presbyterian schools it was provided for the use of the entire community.
In his address, Mr Kpodo, said the facility was towards the prosecution of the war against poor examination results in the municipality.
He said a World Bank report had revealed that pupils in primary two to six were unable to read, saying that such a report was dangerous for the future.
Mr Kpodo, therefore, commended the “Read 100” project by JOY FM and the SIC and appealed to other philanthropists to replicate the project in other areas of his constituency.
The Municipal Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mrs Dora Humado, announced that a five-member team had been constituted to manage the facility to enable pupils to discover reading as a foundation of knowledge.
She urged students and pupils to form reading clubs in schools with the view of generating interest in reading habits.
The chairman of board of directors of SIC, Mr Max Cobbina, said the provision of libraries was a test to pupils to learn independently without the supervision of their teachers, and that the SIC was ready to adapt to a new age when books were likely to become redundant due to the invasion of the electronic age.
The Manager of the “Read 100” Project, Mr Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, said his team would deliver management and project support while the SIC offered sponsorship support with the collaboration of the local community.
The Ho Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Isaac Kotobisah, commended the management of SIC and JOY FM for the enviable partnership and also thanked the MP and Afram Publications for supporting a worthy cause.
Tim Dzamboe/Daily Graphic/Ghana