University of Ghana Library Services Hosts GLA Biennial Congress And AGM

The University of Ghana Library Services has hosted the Ghana Library Association (GLA) Biennial Congress and Annual General Meeting at the Balme Library on the theme ‘Libraries and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Ghana.’

In her welcome address, Prof. Perpetua S. Dadzie, President of the GLA, reminded guests and stakeholders that access to information should be universal, that there is a need to work harder in order to maximise the quantity and quality of information available to the public, and that making such information publicly accessible was vital in helping the country achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She noted that libraries are strategically placed to perform such a role; and that the GLA in particular has made efforts to sensitise its members through various workshops. Mrs Dadzie thanked several individuals for their support. These include but are not limited to Her Excellency Mrs. Amissah-Arthur, Valentine Bannerman, Comfort Asare, Mr Samuel Aggrey, and Dr. Helen Hassan.

Delivering the keynote address, Her Excellency Mrs. Matilda Amissah-Arthur emphasized the need to position Ghana’s libraries as original search engines, stocked with relevant and accurate sources of information to deal with emerging issues on the continent. She added that access to information is critical for human development, as libraries can be a source for people to improve their lives. She suggested that periodic training of library staff and users, such as that which occurred in the recent Information and Library Week, could be held alongside seminars and workshops to improve library services, and in collaboration with task forces tasked to plan strategies on how best the seventeen SDGs could be fulfilled.

Professor Samuel Agyei-Mensah, Chairperson of the event, observed that the theme of the Congress was particularly relevant, given that every government would have to achieve the UN 2030 Agenda for SDG. He congratulated the GLA for taking steps to help people make informed choices by providing them with accessible sources of information and congratulated Her Excellency Mrs Matilda Amissah-Arthur, a former president of the GLA, on her contributions towards improving literacy by stocking basic schools with approximately four million books, setting up a computerised library in Accra, and editing books for a number of publishers in addition to her efforts through her NGO, ‘Reading for Life.’ The Provost was excited that additional targets had been set for the SDGs, which addressed issues such as reproductive rights and infant mortality, issues he revealed were important to him.

The General Manager of EPP Book Services, Mrs. Brookman-Amissah, pledged GHc30,000 worth of books to the Balme Library.  EPP Book Services has partnered with the Ghana Library Association (GLA) for its “Stock Your Library Project”.  The project is meant to equip libraries across the country with books and other learning materials to enhance teaching and learning. Five basic public schools (La Nkwantanang Cluster of Schools, Madina in the Greater Accra Region, Police Barracks Primary School and SDA Primary School from the Northern Region, and Catholic Basic School and Presby Model School from the Central Region) which the GLA has adopted to carry out reading activities were the initial beneficiaries of GHc10,000 each worth of books. 

Balme Library is the first public university library to be a beneficiary of this project.

Present at the ceremony were also representatives and partners of the GLA, Ghana Book Development Council, and Ghana Book Publishers.