The Ghana Library Authority recorded a significant increase in library registration in the Ashanti Region between 2017 and 2018.

Mr Hayford Siaw, Executive Director of the Authority, said from 4, 000 registration in 2017, the figure rose to 40, 000 in 2018, and attributed it to increased public sensitisation campaigns, initiated by the Authority, on the importance of reading.

Currently, he said, there were more than 15 accredited libraries across the Region, that were providing services to the public. Mr Siaw, who was speaking at the inauguration of the New Tafo (Krofrom) Community Library/ICT Centre at a ceremony in Kumasi, stressed that this year was declared ‘Year of Reading’.

“This is in line with the government’s policy to promote a knowledgeable and well-informed society, while boosting the human resource base of the nation. The Library/ICT Centre was funded through the Urban Development Grant of the World Bank, with assistance from the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly. The Assembly provided 200 chairs, 34 tables, 31 desktop computers and one projector to help refurbish the facility.

The ultra-modern facility is the first of its kind to be provided to serve the interest of basic schools in New Tafo and its environs and is designed to whip up the interest of school children in reading.

Mr Siaw hinted that the facility would be managed by a professional librarian, and urged the community to take advantage of it to enhance their literacy levels.

Mr. Osei Assibey-Antwi, the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), said the Assembly had prioritised education at all levels and would continue to mobilise the needed resources in support of infrastructural development across schools in the Metropolis.