Ghana Library initiates street campaign on reading
The Ghana Library Authority (GhLA) last weekend embarked on a nationwide ‘Read Walk’ to create awareness of reading and the existence of public libraries in the country.
The walk, which formed part of activities marking the 70th anniversary of the institution, was on the theme: “A sound mind for knowledge acquisition.”
Advertisement
Nationwide
Speaking to journalists in Accra after the walk, the Executive Director of the GhLA, Mr Hayford Siaw, said: “Promoting literacy and lifelong learning is at the heart of the institution and so we embarked on this walk to raise awareness of reading and encourage Ghanaians to make good use of the 71 public libraries across the country because they are functioning effectively.”
He said the walk was not only in Accra but in all the regional capitals, explaining that the nationwide walk brought together GhLA staff, management and some patrons who walked through the streets amid music and dancing; a display of placards and the sharing of brochures on the library’s services across the country.
Bibliotherapy
He said in recognition of the role of bibliotherapy in healing and its importance for children, the team in the Greater Accra Region, as part of the walk, made a stop at the Paediatric Department of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital and donated books to children after which it had a brief reading session with some of them.
“The situation was not entirely different from Cape Coast, as the team also donated books and consumables to the Ankaful Prisons.
“In Bolgatanga, Kumasi and Koforidua, the walk ended with an aerobics session primarily to encourage physical fitness and overall health and wellness among staff,” he said.
Year of Learning
The GhLA has declared 2020 as its Year of Learning on the theme: “70 Years of transforming minds through libraries”, to encourage Ghanaians to read to acquire knowledge and enhance their skills.
The areas of focus for the Year of Learning include improving service delivery through technology, promoting literacy and lifelong learning, increasing footprints and book stock; and renovating public and SHS libraries.
