By Stanley Kwabla Arku
Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has charged the newly inaugurated Governing Council of the Ghana Library Authority (GhLA) to lead efforts toward building presidential libraries for all former Presidents of the Republic.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Accra, the Minister described the lack of dedicated national spaces that document and preserve the legacies of Ghana’s past leaders as a major oversight. “We owe it to history, and to future generations, to create institutions that honour our leaders and tell Ghana’s story in full,” he said.
The proposed libraries, he explained, would serve not only as archives of presidential records but as educational spaces where citizens, especially young people, can engage with the country’s political and democratic journey.
Hon. Iddrisu also tasked the Board to rethink the role of public libraries in Ghana, pushing for a shift from traditional book lending to modern, tech-driven knowledge hubs. “The library of today must reflect the demands of today,” he stated. “We must expand digital access, promote STEM learning, and make libraries central to the Free SHS programme.”
He called for targeted investments in underserved communities and encouraged the Council to explore partnerships with the private sector to extend library services to rural areas. He stressed that access to knowledge must not be a privilege limited by geography or wealth.
“The strength of our library system is a measure of our seriousness about education,” the Minister declared. “We can no longer afford to treat it as an afterthought.”
Chairperson of the Council, Dr. Michael Ato Essuman, welcomed the charge and assured the Minister of the Board’s commitment to delivering on its expanded mandate. “This is a moment of responsibility,” he said. “We will work to make libraries more visible, more relevant, and more accessible to every Ghanaian.”