Regional News of Saturday, 11 October 2003

Source: GNA

MP donates furniture to library

Bolgatanga, Oct. 11, GNA- The National Director of Ghana Library Board Mrs. Susana Minyila, on Friday expressed concern about lack of interest shown by some district assemblies in equipping libraries in the country.

She explained that with the decentralization polity, district assemblies were asked to put up and equip libraries in their districts and also pay the employees.

Mrs. Minyila said however that many libraries all over the country were in a poor state because the assemblies had not done anything to improve them.

She was speaking in Bolgatanga on Friday when she received a set of furniture donated by the Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga, Mr. David Apasira and some concerned citizens of the area for the Upper East Regional library in Bolgatanga.

She said communities that were interested could put up the infrastructure and apply to the library board for books and personnel.

Mrs. Minyinla noted that libraries could be supplementing formal education especially in areas where there are not enough teachers. She advised school children to take good care of the library books they use and not tear off pages from them.

Mr. Apasira donated 20 tables and 30 chairs at the cost of 11.1 million cedis from his share of the common fund, while the concerned citizens gave 30 chairs at the cost of 4.8 million cedis. Mr. Apasira said the services of libraries were very important as it is the only way majority of children could get good reading materials.

Mr. Joe Anaane, an Assistant Director of Education said the Catholic Relief Services has plans to help communities put up libraries and asked those interested to make contacts with the Ghana Education Service (GES) for direction.