Public Library Service cries out

Keta, Dec. 13, GNA - Mr. Omari Tenkorang, Acting Director of Ghana Library Board (GLB), has said it was time to breathe a new lease of life into the public library service.

He appealed to Metropolitan, Municipal and District assemblies to use a percentage of their revenue to assist libraries in their communities. Mr. Tenkorang said this in an address read on his behalf on Wednesday at an awards ceremony to crown an inter-schools essay competition, organised by the GLB for basic schools in the Keta Municipality to commemorate Ghana's 50th independence anniversary. He said the new education reform required a comprehensive library policy for schools.

"If libraries in schools and communities are not re-energized, we may continue to record poor performances in examinations in the Basic and Senior High schools which will seriously affect tertiary education". He said the GLB was organizing programmes and competitions for pupils and students to whip up their interest in reading and use of public libraries.

Mrs. Freda Y. Koasi, Keta Municipal Director of Education, said the cumulative effects of competitions for pupils and students such as the one organised by the GBL would enhance the learning outcome in the district.

She spoke about the negative effects of wake-keepings, video shows and the Internet was having on the academic performance of pupils and students and said "this canker must be confronted with caution by both parents and teachers". Mrs. Koasi advocated the formation of "creative writing clubs" in schools which she said "will be of immense benefit to teachers and students". Moses Agbemadu of Tegbi Roman Catholic (RC) Primary School and Pascal Yilamlome of Dzelukope R.C. Junior High School took the first positions in the Primary and JHS categories respectively. 13 Dec. 07