By Dorothy Frances Ward
Efiduase (Ash), Dec. 20, GNA – The Saint George’s Library Fund (SGLF), a non-Governmental Organisation that promotes reading among the youth, has provided a modern library for the Effiduase R/C basic school in the Ashanti region, to improve reading skills among children in the community.
The SGLF was established in 2011 to bring literacy skills to as many children as possible in rural communities
Mrs Ophelia Opoku – Ansah Agyei, the Leader of SGLF, at the opening of the library, said the facility was established in honour of her late mother Madam Felicia Kusi-Mensah, who was also instrumental in empowering people and ensuring development in the area.
She said the mission of the SGLF was to set up community libraries to broaden the knowledge of rural folks.
Apart from promoting safe reading environment, it also provided literacy classes for illiterate adults, thus bridging the literacy gap and advancing knowledge in rural communities.
Mrs Agyei said the objective was to boost the confidence, self-esteem and job prospects of people in rural communities.
She said two of such libraries had been provided for Kweiman Presby School and Amrahia basic school in the Greater Accra region.
This would help inculcate the habit of reading in the Ghanaian child.
She advised the children to utilise the library to improve their vocabulary and reading skills.
Mr William Adjepong, the Sekyere East District Director of Education, said the carefully selected books, would help shape the morals of the children and improve their thinking.
He said that literacy education, which was lacking in the area would be promoted and as well, empower the community.
It would also ensure literacy sustainability and serve generations to come.
Mr Anthony Bonsu Agyei, the Head Teacher of the school, called on stakeholders to come together to pull resources to improve education in the area.
The Most Rev. Opoku Agyeman, in charge of the Konongo Diocese of the Catholic Church, said reading habits had declined in children due to the upsurge of social media.
He said the establishment of such colourful libraries would help bring reading habits back in the youth and improve their way of life.
He called on stakeholders and other organisations to emulate the gesture and work together to improve education delivery in their communities.
GNA