Accra: Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Education, has emphasised the need for Ghana to revive its reading culture through deliberate investment in libraries across all levels of education. Speaking before the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament on Monday, in Parliament House, Mr Iddrisu noted that reading habits in the country had declined significantly, affecting learning outcomes and civic awareness.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Iddrisu said, “The reading culture in Ghana needs to improve.” He highlighted the contrast between Ghana and other countries, mentioning how people abroad are often seen reading newspapers to stay updated. Mr Iddrisu expressed concern over the country’s dwindling reading culture and stressed the importance of addressing this issue to enhance civic consciousness and educational results.
Mr Iddrisu revealed that concerns about inadequate library facilities had been consistently raised during his regional visits. He recounted his experiences, stating, “I was in Bono Ahafo, and the Omanhene invited me and raised concerns about the Sunyani Regional Library. The same concern was raised in Koforidua. When you go to many schools, they do not have adequate support when it comes to their libraries,” he added.
To address this issue, the Minister announced that the Ministry of Education would soon present a motion before Parliament to ensure that every school had access to library facilities. He also hinted at exploring the possibility of introducing digital libraries to promote reading and research among students. “We need to invest more in libraries. If we have the resources, we should be thinking about getting a digital library across our educational levels,” he told the Committee.