MP constructs library complex
A GH¢450,000 one-storey library complex constructed for the Akyem Swedru community has been inaugurated by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akyem Swedru, Mr Kennedy Osei Nyarko.
Advertisement
The library is equipped with 10 computers and accessories including printers; sets of furniture and textbooks.
The former MP for the Akyem Swedru Constituency, Mr Felix Owusu Agyapong, started the project and spent GH¢150,000 on it but could not complete it before the end of his tenure of office. Mr Osei Nyarko, who succeeded him, spent an additional GH¢300,000 to complete the facility.
Mr Osei Nyarko inaugurated the project and said he decided to complete it to encourage pupils and students in the area to develop the habit of reading to enrich their vocabulary.
He advised parents to invest in their children’s education so that they would grow up to become useful citizens to contribute their quota towards community and national development and also to cater for them in their old age.
The MP expressed concern about the poor results of the recent Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the Birim South District and urged parents, teachers and the pupils to take realistic measures to reverse the trend.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Birim South, Mr Emmanuel Kwakye, commended Messrs Owusu Adjapong and Osei Nyarko for their vision in identifying the need to provide a public library to encourage both the young and the old to cultivate the habit of reading.
He stated that “it has become a habit in Ghana to see succeeding politicians completely ignoring projects commenced by their predecessors. However, this bad practice was never exhibited by the MP, Mr Osei Nyarko. I say bravo to him.”
Mr Kwakye stressed that education had always and would continue to be the key to unlocking the doors of development of the nation. He added that it was important to invest in that sector and called on the government, politicians, civil society organisations, parents and non-governmental organisations to always support education.
He enjoined everybody to be custodian of the facility and its contents as that would help improve educational standard in the district.
The Birim South District Director of Education, Madam Stella Dogbe, complained about the falling educational standards in the district and urged parents to encourage their children to study hard by regularly providing them with their basic educational needs.
She encouraged schoolchildren and students to regularly use the library instead of roaming in town aimlessly.
The Paramount Queenmother of the Akyem Bosome Traditional Area, Nana Kwartemaa Minkyi, who chaired the function, also commended Messrs Owusu Adjapong and Osei Nyarko for their foresight and urged other politicians to emulate their example.