Sunyani (B/A), Feb. 2 GNA- Mr. Frederic Noble Baada, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Librarian, on Thursday gave assurance that the mobile library service programme that would be operated on pilot basis in the region would commence during the first quarter of this year. He said about 50,000 people from 100 communities in 20 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies across the country would benefit from the programme.

Mr. Baada, who is also Chairman of the Committee on National Mobile Library Service Programme, was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani.

He noted that since 1980, the programme had become ineffective as a result of broken down mobile vans. Mr Baada said "This halted the smooth running of the programme and the acquisition of new mobile vans is to re-introduce the service to the general public."

He also expressed regret that the Library Board did not have enough information materials and only one van served the region, which he said, was not good enough.

Mr Baada said "We need more vans for the region as the Board intends to use the one available for the pilot programmes for any two districts in the region, based on the district assembly's commitment to run the programme and its deprived nature or status. The board also has plans to extend the service to any other two districts next year."

He said the Regional Library Board would confer with the Regional Minister and the Regional Director of education in the selection of the two districts to benefit from the programme this year. Mr Baada called on the district assemblies to support the programme to promote education in the region. He said the Regional Library Board in collaboration with the Non-Formal Education Division of the Ghana Education Service and the Information Service Department would provide books to beginner learners to enable them to inform and educate the public on issues on governance, assembly proceedings, tourism and culture. Mr Baada promised to collaborate with officials of the regional mobile library to promote education in the region and place Brong-Ahafo first in the mobile library service programme to serve as a model for other regions.

He said committees would be formed in the districts to monitor the programme to ensure its success. Mr Baada appealed to district assemblies, traditional authorities, companies, non-governmental organizations and philanthropists to support the programme. 2 Feb. 08