This is to ensure that users can access information and materials, including books online whilst the mobile library scheme would afford the rural population the opportunity to have access to ICT, the Internet and e-books.
To that end, GIFEC has presented five computers to each of the 10 regional public libraries nationwide. In line with this, GIFEC has organized a one-day workshop for regional, district and mobile library officers to sensitize them on the revival of the libraries.
In attendance were Prof. Harry A. Akussah, Head of Information Studies, University of Ghana, Mr. Kosi Kedem, Board chairman of GLB, Mrs. Ekua Tachie Menson, Acting Executive Director of GLB and Mr. Kofi Attor, the Administrator of GIFEC.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Minister of Education, Mr. Alex Tettey-Enyo, said the current trends of development on the global scene, project a scheme of dynamics that needs not only to be carefully considered but followed in order not to be left out. “As a matter of fact, Library and Information Services for a people are expected to serve as meter to reflect the true picture of knowledge and information resources in the world at any point in time,” he added.
Sadly, however, he observed, many people acknowledge Libraries as museums of archaic knowledge and are therefore not attractive enough to meet the desirable expectations, tastes and learning styles of the modern generation.
“It is obvious that one strategy that would address this problem is to make the Library and information services in a more attractive way such that it meets the expectation, tastes and learning styles of prospective clients. In the present information society and global knowledge economy, this cannot be done without connectivity to the international knowledge database,” he said.
He said discussions are still on-going to facilitate the provision of last-mile connectivity salutation under the e-Government Project being undertaken by the National Information Technology Agency of the ministry of Communications for the benefit of at least all regional Libraries. So far, GIFEC has established 120 Community Information Centers nationwide.
The NDC government is steadily demonstrating a commitment to exploring all avenues to ensure that provisions are made to invest in human capital development that would ultimately drive the overall development agenda for Ghana.
He presented to the Ghana Library Board, three copies of the entire content of the Digital Science and Mathematics Online Portal for Junior Senior High Schools to be loaded on computers in all Libraries.
The executives of the GLB thanked GIFEC and government for their commitment in improving the public libraries. The executives of the GLB thanked GIFEC and government for their commitment in improving the public libraries.
GIFEC was set up in 2005. Its main objective is to provide financial resources for the establishment of universal service to ensure access to ICT and basic telephony by rural communities in Ghana. This includes facilitating and providing internet, multimedia, broadband and broadcasting services to underserved rural communities.
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Quelle/Source: Peace FM Online, 07.06.2010
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