{"3":{"id":"GL6yO5","title":"History and Vision","article":"

The Ghana Library Authority (GhLA) was formally established in 1950 and forms a critical part of Ghana's historical artefacts. It was setup to improve literacy outcomes, which is key to the development of the country. This is done through the provision of information services which seek to improve reading outcomes, leading to increased public awareness as a critical component of the overall strategy towards tackling illiteracy, poverty, disease and unemployment related problems.<\/span><\/p>

Over the years however, the GhLA has experienced monumental challenges in maintaining operations with a view to enabling literacy driven efficacy. These challenges are varied and multifaceted in nature and range from financial, operational, service delivery and program efficacy barriers faced by the organization. These internal and external drivers have exerted negative push and pull forces on the organization driving it into a de-prioritised organization within the universe of public services.<\/span><\/p>

The GhLA is entering a new phase of rebirth after years of stagnation with a view to achieving growth, diversifying delivery channels; radical redesign of library services, business model & service delivery optimisation, organisational restructure and leadership transformation.<\/span><\/p>

According to the Ghana Statistical Service (2010 Census), the national average for literacy in Ghana is 74.1% with some regions in the lower quartile recording as low as 37.2%. Such statistics galvanize well meaning global citizens to act with a view to changing the status quo.<\/span><\/p>

Internal insights suggest strong patronage across our network by Ghanaians of all age groups as they seek to utilize our core services or facilities for self-study. This inherently is a demonstration of the uniquely untapped potential available to grow library services and its associated efficacy related impact.<\/span><\/p>

Inherent in this universe of problems is an unprecedented opportunity for your organisation to actively contribute towards improving the efficacy of library services in direct support of this country's development growth agenda. Three innovative product models have been designed to allow for easy integration with our core program delivery model. This is expected to enable a strong value proposition for your business inclusive of the following \u00e2\u20ac\u201c (1) potential tax reliefs, (2) the ability to articulate a dual purpose narrative which revolves around business growth specifically profitability while driving social impact; (3) increase government and community relations through engagement with this innovative initiative while (4) increasing volunteerism within your organisation.<\/span><\/p>

This working relationship will be enabled through the execution of an MOU to formalise working relationships and provides the framework for world class performance measurement and reporting on your social impact investment portfolio. It is envisaged such reporting will cover social impact, operational, customer experience and program efficacy related metrics which will be shared with your organisation on a quarterly basis. Such reporting will be used to drive partner engagement discussions as we seek to collectively improve reading habits in Ghana.<\/span><\/p>


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Origin and Growth<\/span><\/h3>

The Ghana Library Authority (formerly Ghana Library Board) was established out of a generous contribution of \u00c2\u00a31,000 donated by the late RT. Rev. John Orfeur Anglionby, the then Anglican Bishop of Accra. In 1946, the Aglionby Library Management Committee worked with the British Council Advisory Committee towards library development in the then Gold Coast. The work of the Committee resulted in the passing of the Gold Coast Library Board Ordinance, Cap 118, in December, 1949, which became operational on January 1, 1950.<\/span><\/p>

The Library Service run by the Ghana Library Authority (GhLA) then became the defacto public library service in Ghana. It is one of the pre-independence heritages birthed in a single room in 1950 at the King George Memorial Hall with an initial collection of 27,000 books and total member of 3,000. Today the GhLA which epitomizes one of the rich heritages of this country has grown to possess a total of almost 700,000 books underpinned by a membership supported by a footprint of 63 branches (10 Regional Libraries and 53 Branches) across the country. Over the years the Ghana Library Authority's service has experienced monumental challenges in maintaining operations with a view to enabling literacy driven efficacy. The noble objective of positioning the GhLA as a best in class institution which seeks to reinforce good reading habits can be seen to be at risk given the monumental financial, operational and program efficacy challenges faced by the organization. According to the <\/span>UNESCO Institute for Statistics<\/a>, global literacy rate for all people aged 15 and above (15+ polled together as adult growth rates) is positioned at 86.3% with Ghana currently positioned at 76.6% in 2015 from 57.9% at an average annual growth rate of 15.30%. This however discounts literacy rates of non-adults (those below 15+) where there is a dire need to improve literacy if improvements in adult literacy rates are to be sustained.<\/span><\/p>

There is therefore an urgent need and a necessarily requisite call to action, with the need for an associate positive response driven by champions of good such as your organisation in partnership with the GhLA to collectively influence literacy rates in Ghana through the power of the collective in influencing reading habits.<\/span><\/p>

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Public Library system, an enabler of development<\/span><\/h3>

The work that the GhLA does goes a long way to determine the extent to which information can first be stored, accessed and managed in a way that enhances the ability of the public to acquire knowledge in satisfaction of their general information and specific educational needs. Such combined repository of knowledge and its associated usage is consequentially critical to our ability to tackle illiteracy, poverty, disease, unemployment related problems.<\/span><\/p>

As part of carrying out its mandate, the GhLA engages in activities like preparing and disseminating guidelines for the establishment of public, community and school libraries to improve the capacity of the population in reading and information seeking and retrieval towards life-long learning.<\/span><\/p>

The GhLA through its regional and branch libraries is focused on encouraging the public to enjoy and excel in reading, writing, general literacy and general information share across all age groups.<\/span><\/p>

Such shared learning when adequately scaled leads to the evolution of skilled, well rounded human resources critical to the development of the country. <\/span><\/p>

  <\/p>","description":"The Ghana Library Authority (GhLA) was formally established in 1950 and forms a critical part of Ghana's historical artefacts. It was setup to improve literacy outcomes, which is key to the development of the country. ","date":"2019-02-18","type":"Info"},"0":{"id":"TJMMWb","title":"Parliamentary Education Committee Pledges Support for GhLA\u2019s Literacy Initiatives","article":"

A delegation from the Ghana Library Authority (GhLA), led by its Acting Executive Director, Mr. Alhassan Betintiche Ziblim engaged the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education in a meeting aimed at strengthening collaboration to advance literacy development and improve public library services across the country.<\/p>

The meeting, chaired by the Member of Parliament for Akatsi North, Hon. Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, provided an opportunity for the Authority to brief the Committee on its ongoing programmes, key achievements and the challenges confronting the public library sector.<\/p>

During the engagement, Mr. Ziblim highlighted a number of initiatives being implemented by the Ghana Library Authority to promote reading, expand digital access and strengthen community learning spaces. He noted that public libraries continue to play a critical role in supporting education, lifelong learning and equitable access to information, particularly for children and young people in underserved communities.<\/p>

He further emphasized the Authority\u2019s commitment to modernizing library infrastructure and expanding services to ensure that libraries remain relevant learning hubs that support Ghana\u2019s national development agenda.<\/p>

Members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education commended the Ghana Library Authority for its sustained efforts in promoting literacy and improving access to learning resources across the country. The Committee acknowledged the growing impact of the Authority\u2019s programmes in schools and communities and underscored the importance of continued investment in the public library system.<\/p>

In response to the briefing, the Committee pledged its support to help strengthen the work of the Ghana Library Authority, particularly in areas related to improving library infrastructure, expanding access to books and digital resources, and enhancing literacy initiatives nationwide.<\/p>

The Ghana Library Authority reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with Parliament and other national stakeholders to ensure that libraries remain accessible, inclusive and impactful institutions that support learning and development for all Ghanaians.<\/p>","description":"A delegation from the Ghana Library Authority (GhLA), led by its Acting Executive Director, Mr. Alhassan Betintiche Ziblim engaged the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education in a meeting aimed at strengthening collaboration to advance literacy development and improve public library services across the country.","date":"2026-02-24","type":"News"},"1":{"id":"sZMsTe","title":"Atwima Inter-Schools Cultural Debate Kicks Off at Kofi Kingston Library","article":"

The Ashanti Regional Library, has officially launched the Atwima Inter-Schools Cultural Debate at the Kofi Kingston Library and Digital Centre, bringing together basic school pupils from across the Atwima area for a dynamic exchange of ideas rooted in Ghanaian culture and language.<\/p>

The debate forms part of the Library\u2019s literacy and cultural engagement initiatives aimed at nurturing confident communicators, critical thinkers and culturally aware young learners. The competition also aligns with efforts to encourage the use and appreciation of Ghanaian languages among school children while strengthening their research and public speaking skills.<\/p>

Participating schools in the maiden edition of the debate include:<\/p>

-Techiman Presbyterian JHS<\/p>

-Denkyembourso M\/A JHS<\/p>

-Tanoso Anglican \"A\" JHS<\/p>

-Tanoso Anglican \"B\" JHS<\/p>

-Tanoso Anglican \"C\" JHS<\/p>

-Sefa Boakye International JHS<\/p>

The atmosphere at the Kofi Kingston Library and Digital Centre was vibrant as pupils interacted, exchanged ideas and celebrated Ghana\u2019s rich cultural heritage.<\/p>

The initiative reflects the Ghana Library Authority\u2019s commitment to promoting literacy beyond reading by integrating cultural education, public speaking and critical thinking into library programming. By providing such platforms, the Authority continues to position libraries as active community learning centres that support holistic education.<\/p>

The Kofi Kingston Library and Digital Centre, one of the flagship libraries of the Ghana Library Authority, continues to serve as a hub for educational innovation, youth development and digital learning in the Ashanti Region.<\/p>","description":"The Ashanti Regional Library, has officially launched the Atwima Inter-Schools Cultural Debate at the Kofi Kingston Library and Digital Centre, bringing together basic school pupils from across the Atwima area for a dynamic exchange of ideas rooted in Ghanaian culture and language.","date":"2026-02-23","type":"News"},"2":{"id":"C7ABBl","title":"Ho Central MP Donates Legislative Materials to Volta Regional Library","article":"

The Volta Regional Library has received a set of legislative materials from the Member of Parliament for Ho Central, Hon. Edem Kofi Kpotosu, in a move aimed at expanding public access to parliamentary information and strengthening civic education in the region.<\/p>

The donation included copies of parliamentary Acts and Legislative Instruments passed during the first meeting of the Ninth Parliament of the Fourth Republic. The materials have been deposited at the regional library in Ho to serve as reference resources for students, researchers and members of the public seeking to better understand Ghana\u2019s legislative processes and governance framework.<\/p>

Presenting the materials, Hon. Kpotosu noted that laws enacted in Parliament should be accessible to all citizens, regardless of their location. He explained that making these documents available through the public library system would help bridge the information gap between lawmakers and the communities they serve.<\/p>

The Volta Regional Director of the Ghana Library Authority, Mr. Bright Ofori, received the items on behalf of the Authority and expressed appreciation to the Member of Parliament for supporting the work of public libraries. He indicated that the materials would enhance the library\u2019s reference collection and support learners, particularly students studying government, law and civic education.<\/p>

Mr. Ofori further emphasized the importance of making legislative resources accessible to all categories of users, including persons with disabilities, noting that efforts are underway to convert such materials into accessible formats in line with international frameworks that promote inclusive access to information.<\/p>

The presentation ceremony brought together officials from the education sector, students, community members and representatives of professional bodies, highlighting the shared interest in promoting knowledge of Ghana\u2019s laws and democratic institutions.<\/p>

The Ghana Library Authority continues to work with public institutions and partners to strengthen its collections and ensure that libraries remain accessible centres for learning, research and civic engagement across the country.<\/p>","description":"The Volta Regional Library has received a set of legislative materials from the Member of Parliament for Ho Central, Hon. Edem Kofi Kpotosu, in a move aimed at expanding public access to parliamentary information and strengthening civic education in the region.","date":"2026-02-23","type":"News"}}