Senya Bereku (C/R), Nov 29, GNA - The Ministry of Education, Science and Sports has spent 19.73 billion cedis through the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) in rehabilitating a number of libraries over the past three years.

The Ghana National Commission for the United Nations Education Science and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) also provided over 11.74 billion cedis for purchase of 10 mobile libraries for the regions to support the expansion such facilities in the country. Mr Ato Essuman, Chief Director of the Ministry of Education Science and Sports, announced this at the inauguration of a refurbished community library at Senya Bereku in the Central Region.

Mr Essuman, who is also a Member of Council of State, said the government had shown commitment to making library facilities accessible to rural communities to enhance the country's democratic dispensation and was facilitating re-stocking of existing libraries and the use of mobile library vans.

The Chief Director noted that the objective would be defeated if the libraries were not patronized.

He admonished teachers to encourage students to cultivate reading habits to promote library services. "Our young men and women become actively informed when they read while the elderly do not easily relapse into old age when they also make good use of the library," he stated. Mr. Essuman noted that constant use of books cultivated the mind and forged a reading culture capable of increasing the literacy level of the people and thereby giving a better understanding of programmes and policies of government. 29 Nov. 07