90k digital library users in Ghana not enough, we can do better – Haruna

The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has expressed disappointment with the current 90,000 (90k) digital library users in Ghana, describing it as “woefully insignificant”.

Why are the 90k digital library users in Ghana not enough?

Speaking at the inauguration of the Ghana Library Authority Board with the support of his Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, Mr. Iddrisu noted that the country has about 90,000 digital library users, a figure he believes can be improved.

“We can do better than that,” the sector minister said, urging the new board to work towards increasing access to digital library services across the country.

He highlighted the importance of digital innovation in modernising library services, stating, “You don’t expect children to be piling up books. Digital innovation.”

The minister encouraged the board to develop public-private partnerships to expand access to library services, leveraging the country’s land infrastructure to drive growth.

“Feel free to develop public-private partnerships. That allows you to have expanded access to library services across the country,” he advised.

According to him, presidential libraries would serve as a repository of knowledge, documenting the contributions of past presidents to the country’s development. “We should be able to honour all the presidents who have served our country with a presidential library, no matter your performance, whether you did good or bad to the republic,” he stated.

The minister drew inspiration from the United States, where presidential libraries are a common feature. “Those of you who are familiar with the United States, when you travel to the Lincoln Memorial, you will find a library in honour of the president,” he noted.

He explained that these libraries keep records of both the good and bad deeds of past presidents, serving as a learning tool for future generations.

Minister Iddrisu tasked the Ghana Library Authority to work with the private sector to establish these libraries, which would preserve the country’s history and provide a valuable resource for learning.

“So I am tasking you to work with the private sector so that we can have the monument of the presidential library in honour of those who have served our country,” he said.

Mr Iddrisu also tasked the board with reviewing and modernising library legislation, developing policies that enhance service delivery, and promoting new partnerships.

90k digital library users in Ghana and how to improve the number and access

According to the education minister, the library board must work with him to help increase access and patronage.

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“My advice to the new board would be to work with me to review and modernise library legislation, develop policies that enhance service delivery, and promote new partnerships,” he stated.