Audio By Carbonatix
The third Ministerial Roundtable for African Ministers with oversight responsibilities for Libraries has opened in Accra under the auspices of the Ministry of Education.
The two-day conference is under the theme, “Libraries on the African Development Agenda: Progress made” and strategically falls within the framework of the AU 2063 Agenda, the Charter for African Renaissance and the related outcomes of the AU Commission meeting held in Algeria in October 2018.
The conference is aimed at providing leadership and guidance on how governments can integrate libraries in their national development plans and ensure allocation of resources towards the achievement of the development goals.
The Education Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, who played host at the opening of the conference, reiterated the essence of libraries and information access.
“Information has become very crucial to every enterprise in life, hence its acquisition, storage, dissemination, evaluation and use needs to be properly positioned. Libraries play a role in the organization of the deluge of information available today as a consequence of technological advancement,” he said.
The Education Minister further stated that the government under the leadership of President Nana Akufo-Addo recognises the importance of libraries in development and has rolled out interventions that have seen rejuvenated public library services in the country.
The sector Minister added that reforms that have taken place at public libraries in Ghana include, “an increase in staff strength at Ghana Library Authority, opening of new libraries, renovating existing libraries, increasing the number of books and adoption of technology in various forms of operations and service delivery.”
He also noted, “Africa must redouble our efforts in support of our libraries if we want to make significant strides in the attainment of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.”
At the end of the conference, African governments are expected to make commitments to strategies mapped out, for the development of libraries on the continent.
Thirty-two African countries are represented at the conference consisting of Ministers of State, Directors of Libraries, High Level and Emerging Library leaders.
The Education Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, who played host at the opening of the conference, reiterated the essence of libraries and information access.
“Information has become very crucial to every enterprise in life, hence its acquisition, storage, dissemination, evaluation and use needs to be properly positioned. Libraries play a role in the organization of the deluge of information available today as a consequence of technological advancement,” he said.
The Education Minister further stated that the government under the leadership of President Nana Akufo-Addo recognises the importance of libraries in development and has rolled out interventions that have seen rejuvenated public library services in the country.
The sector Minister added that reforms that have taken place at public libraries in Ghana include, “an increase in staff strength at Ghana Library Authority, opening of new libraries, renovating existing libraries, increasing the number of books and adoption of technology in various forms of operations and service delivery.”
He also noted, “Africa must redouble our efforts in support of our libraries if we want to make significant strides in the attainment of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.”
At the end of the conference, African governments are expected to make commitments to strategies mapped out, for the development of libraries on the continent.
Thirty-two African countries are represented at the conference consisting of Ministers of State, Directors of Libraries, High Level and Emerging Library leaders.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Barcelona close to deal for Arsenal’s Jesus
1 hour -
Three-week international break a concern – Mourinho
1 hour -
Bellingham scores as Mourinho’s Real win again
2 hours -
Tech trouble leaves Chelsea game ref without comms
2 hours -
Wife of man who died after turbulence sues airline
2 hours -
Russia says it helped to repel Niger attempted coup
2 hours -
Michail Antonio helps young Ghanaians chase Premier League dreams
4 hours -
Zambian opposition leader charged with treason
4 hours -
Iceland votes against restarting EU membership talks
4 hours -
WhatsApp chat used to launder cash for crime and extremism
4 hours -
US judge blocks Pentagon’s Anthropic blacklisting
4 hours -
Tinubu files case in US court to block release of alleged drug trafficking record – Lawyer
4 hours -
‘Powder Guy’ denies $32,000 visa fraud charges
5 hours -
Two suspects arrested over lynching at Daboya
5 hours -
Mobile phones contributing to Christians’ spiritual decline – Bishop Patu
5 hours