Because we will rather solicit money from donors or government will rather pay millions of dollars to send its supporters to go and watch soccer matches. Talk about having our priorities screwed up.
Our Politicians prefer ... read full comment
Because we will rather solicit money from donors or government will rather pay millions of dollars to send its supporters to go and watch soccer matches. Talk about having our priorities screwed up.
Our Politicians prefer illiterate proletariats as fool soldiers who can easily be cheated. Our government want all of us to be dumb so educating us is not important.
KKO 9 years ago
....And the majority of the people do not give a damn how badly the get s***** by the nincompoops they elect into office!
....And the majority of the people do not give a damn how badly the get s***** by the nincompoops they elect into office!
Debra Clark 9 years ago
Bad politicians want an ignorant, dependent population. America became great so fast because the founding fathers believed in education, freedom and self-reliance.
Bad politicians want an ignorant, dependent population. America became great so fast because the founding fathers believed in education, freedom and self-reliance.
Debra Clark 9 years ago
Look where your government & politicians spend YOUR money and you will know their priorities. That does for every country.
Look where your government & politicians spend YOUR money and you will know their priorities. That does for every country.
Amma 8 years ago
It is really a shame, my passion is to build and run a library in my local area to help the children and also the student who live in the community. When I consulted the chiefs for a plot of land they said they will only agre ... read full comment
It is really a shame, my passion is to build and run a library in my local area to help the children and also the student who live in the community. When I consulted the chiefs for a plot of land they said they will only agree if they can run it themselves. I dont know where they got the idea that there is money involved and I don't want it to be a white elephant but a good run library to help the local community and because they will not agree to this I have to shelve this dream for now until I can find a plot of land in an area where the children can commute to use the library and not build it in an outskirt where they cannot travel to. If anybody can help then please let me know, I am looking for a plot of land at Kotei in Kumasi.
Sankofa 9 years ago
Abena,thank you and congratulations for such a perceptive article on he need for community libraries in our country.
It fills me with hope for the future of our country that you are thinking of self-improvement at your ten ... read full comment
Abena,thank you and congratulations for such a perceptive article on he need for community libraries in our country.
It fills me with hope for the future of our country that you are thinking of self-improvement at your tender age.
I am not even sure that district assemblies would necessarily put community libraries at the top of their agenda if they could raise money locally.
If people cannot get basic necessities of life like food, clothing,shelter,water and electricity, libraries are not a primary consideration.
Nonetheless, this is one area where the Ghana Library Board could work with district assemblies to seek corporate sponsorship for building community libraries. The need is certainly there.
Incidentally, our Second Lady, Mrs Mathilda Amissah-Arthur, is a librarian by profession. You might do well to send her your article. She might just be interested to use her position of influence to do something about it.
Debra Clark 9 years ago
Maybe your Second Lady could contact the charity in America--Books for Africa. They will ship over a container full of books, used computers, etc. if you can raise the money.
Maybe your Second Lady could contact the charity in America--Books for Africa. They will ship over a container full of books, used computers, etc. if you can raise the money.
CITIZEN ONE 9 years ago
I was about to be sarcastic, till I read all of your post. Brilliant observation and nice suggestions.
Don't worry yourself much dear girl, just try and surround yourself with like minded young Ghanaians so that at some po ... read full comment
I was about to be sarcastic, till I read all of your post. Brilliant observation and nice suggestions.
Don't worry yourself much dear girl, just try and surround yourself with like minded young Ghanaians so that at some point, you guys can change this life for the better. Currently your father and his peers, we the older generation have displayed our abject incompetence and disappointment.
All we pry on is our intense ego, our false identification with an advanced Ghanaian culture and language that will never do us any good in a million years hereafter.
Everybody is busy "yapping" in Twi, and that makes us as Ghanaian s feel so important that we have a language that everyone can speak or understand, but so many can't even write. Even certain animals in the wild do communicate pretty well. We should re-examine our conscience and recognize that Ghana has too many good qualities and cultures, and if we try to marginalize some of it, the only one that will shatter our hopes and progress is the only one that we mortgage our future generations life, liberty and advancement on. When we bankrupt our children s future cultural advancement in this modern era, we will continue to remain, underdeveloped, underfed, under-educated and uncivilized.
Sorry we have failed you Abena, I am part responsible!
Uncle Abraham 9 years ago
Abena, good script. Opportunity must be created for our kids to read. For reading is the door way to knowledge.It is so sorry. Even where there are libraries built, there are no or not enough books to read. Go to Abokobi and ... read full comment
Abena, good script. Opportunity must be created for our kids to read. For reading is the door way to knowledge.It is so sorry. Even where there are libraries built, there are no or not enough books to read. Go to Abokobi and see the beautiful library built but left to ROT. Ghana where are we going? may be you can be a Library ambassador. Great.
yawo 9 years ago
AKANS DO NOT LIKE READING BOOKS
AKANS DO NOT LIKE READING BOOKS
princewilly@ymail.com 9 years ago
The new school librarian decided that instead of checking out children's books by writing the names of borrowers on the book cards herself, she would have the youngsters sign their own names. She would then tell them they wer ... read full comment
The new school librarian decided that instead of checking out children's books by writing the names of borrowers on the book cards herself, she would have the youngsters sign their own names. She would then tell them they were signing a 'Contract' for returning the books on time.
Her first customer was a third grader who looked surprised to see a new librarian. He brought three books to the desk and shoved them across to the librarian, giving her his name as he did so.
The librarian pushed the books back and told him to sign them out. The boy laboriously printed his name on each book card and then handed them to her with a look of utter disgust.
Before the librarian could even start her speech, he said scornfully, "The other librarian we had knew how to write."
Debra Clark 9 years ago
I think corruption exists when children are not taught and teachers just look out in case an official drops by. But long as a palm is greased, they get warned. Don't pay for babysitting---pay for teaching & results!
I think corruption exists when children are not taught and teachers just look out in case an official drops by. But long as a palm is greased, they get warned. Don't pay for babysitting---pay for teaching & results!
princewilly@ymail.com 9 years ago
There are no libraries in Ghana because people will be looking for books on how to commit suicide.
They are tired of the hardships in the Nation and cannot read with Dumsor all the time.
There are no libraries in Ghana because people will be looking for books on how to commit suicide.
They are tired of the hardships in the Nation and cannot read with Dumsor all the time.
MARCUS AMPADU 9 years ago
Some of the greatest and well endowed libraries in the world were not constructed and financed by the government, or by politicians; but by patriotic philanthropists. The whole library system in the city of Baltimore, Marylan ... read full comment
Some of the greatest and well endowed libraries in the world were not constructed and financed by the government, or by politicians; but by patriotic philanthropists. The whole library system in the city of Baltimore, Maryland was the work of one Enoch Pratt. He spent practically all his fortune to give the people of Baltimore a great library, without any assistance from the government or politicians.
Maybe one day soon some of our rich men and women will be patriotic enough to give us a library, or some of our former presidents will remember to bequeath us a presidential library.
KKO 9 years ago
MArcus,
It doesn't even take a rich man to do that. The late Prof Andam built a library in his village, which is still functioning today. I have started a small one in my village school (primary and JSS). Most local librarie ... read full comment
MArcus,
It doesn't even take a rich man to do that. The late Prof Andam built a library in his village, which is still functioning today. I have started a small one in my village school (primary and JSS). Most local libraries will gladly donate excess books. And there are bargain bookshops all over the place.
The only problem is shipment to Ghana and our idiotic bureaucracy which will tax everything.
KING LOMOTEY 9 years ago
Because we are a nation that does not read.
We will rather spend the whole day gossiping, talking about politics or about football, or drinking apketeshie and talking about women instead of reading. If we had libraries, we ... read full comment
Because we are a nation that does not read.
We will rather spend the whole day gossiping, talking about politics or about football, or drinking apketeshie and talking about women instead of reading. If we had libraries, we wouldn't be doing all of the above.
We should invest in building libraries .
Where are our presidential libraries ?
Waiting to see Nkrumah, Busia, Akyeampong, Rawlings, Kuffuor, and Mahama's libraries,
All our chiefs must melt their gold ornaments to finance library constructions in their traditional areas.
All great nations in history had or have libraries.
Debra Clark 9 years ago
Officials should stop blaming what happened years ago, use the resources your country has to improve your country, not create more kings & chiefs whose main job is being "in charge"
Officials should stop blaming what happened years ago, use the resources your country has to improve your country, not create more kings & chiefs whose main job is being "in charge"
tweaaaakai 9 years ago
ASK THE POOR THINKING MP'S WHO SAY THEY ARE RUNNING GHANA TO BETTER GHANA
ASK THE POOR THINKING MP'S WHO SAY THEY ARE RUNNING GHANA TO BETTER GHANA
dennis awah 9 years ago
Abena , at 16 years you are so much smarter than a lot of the older commentators on this site.
no country can develop without its people - rich or poor/young or old/ male or female - having a burning desire to acquire kno ... read full comment
Abena , at 16 years you are so much smarter than a lot of the older commentators on this site.
no country can develop without its people - rich or poor/young or old/ male or female - having a burning desire to acquire knowledge not by chasing certificates etc but reading, exploring, asking questions, looking for solutions to problems etc. the desire of the ghanian to get certificates has resulted in the state our country is in - inability to provide sufficient food and provide the most basic essentials - all our "big men' with their certificates cannot provide solutions to our problems.
there are no libraries in ghana because libraries do not generate money, our society has become one of "money". if your career or interest does not guarantee you make money, everyone laughs at u. we have no sense of accomplishment unless it results in money. we see new "luxury apartment buildings, casinos, shopping malls, offfcie buildings popping up all over the city of Accra but there are no libraires or public spaces like parks , sports clubs, etc. all the many "millionaires " in Ghana are interested in is money and so is the government and our parliament.
Abena , our history over the last 500 years is sad and uninspiring, slavery, selling off our natural resources, colonization etc. a closer look at our history shows that after selling off all our resources, we the humans are next to be put up for sale. we currently live in a ghana that has been "FOR SALE" since Nkrumah (our only inovator) was dethroned. soon you and your peers will be up for sale, as sex slaves, as slaves for mediocre and useless work.
Bechemniiba(Paris) 9 years ago
I was at the Ghana Library board at Accra a year ago and I was shocked i could not even get a news paper to read. The building is there as I first saw it 36years ago but no books. Why Ghana?
I was at the Ghana Library board at Accra a year ago and I was shocked i could not even get a news paper to read. The building is there as I first saw it 36years ago but no books. Why Ghana?
Yaro 9 years ago
I cannot forget all the stories I read in my village library 15-20years ago. Anybody who does not read would never be read.The Greeks had centers of learning and produced great Scholars, the Romans had Social Centers and prod ... read full comment
I cannot forget all the stories I read in my village library 15-20years ago. Anybody who does not read would never be read.The Greeks had centers of learning and produced great Scholars, the Romans had Social Centers and produced Proletariat s. Ghana have MPs gues wha we will produce?
Debra Clark 9 years ago
Maybe too many "chiefs" and not enough workers. Have to get something done and not just talk
Maybe too many "chiefs" and not enough workers. Have to get something done and not just talk
Debra Clark 9 years ago
Reading changes lives. Education must be a higher priority. Much can be done by individuals but the government needs to do the big things first--reliable clean water, sanitation, teach people about sanitation, build roads a ... read full comment
Reading changes lives. Education must be a higher priority. Much can be done by individuals but the government needs to do the big things first--reliable clean water, sanitation, teach people about sanitation, build roads and RAILROADS to increase availability of items thoughout the country.
Debra Clark 9 years ago
Our Christian school and church sent over 2,000 books to start a library for the children in a school in Ghana that we help. Hope to do more of it and could if getting things there was not so hard & corrupt
Our Christian school and church sent over 2,000 books to start a library for the children in a school in Ghana that we help. Hope to do more of it and could if getting things there was not so hard & corrupt
Because we will rather solicit money from donors or government will rather pay millions of dollars to send its supporters to go and watch soccer matches. Talk about having our priorities screwed up.
Our Politicians prefer ...
read full comment
....And the majority of the people do not give a damn how badly the get s***** by the nincompoops they elect into office!
Bad politicians want an ignorant, dependent population. America became great so fast because the founding fathers believed in education, freedom and self-reliance.
Look where your government & politicians spend YOUR money and you will know their priorities. That does for every country.
It is really a shame, my passion is to build and run a library in my local area to help the children and also the student who live in the community. When I consulted the chiefs for a plot of land they said they will only agre ...
read full comment
Abena,thank you and congratulations for such a perceptive article on he need for community libraries in our country.
It fills me with hope for the future of our country that you are thinking of self-improvement at your ten ...
read full comment
Maybe your Second Lady could contact the charity in America--Books for Africa. They will ship over a container full of books, used computers, etc. if you can raise the money.
I was about to be sarcastic, till I read all of your post. Brilliant observation and nice suggestions.
Don't worry yourself much dear girl, just try and surround yourself with like minded young Ghanaians so that at some po ...
read full comment
Abena, good script. Opportunity must be created for our kids to read. For reading is the door way to knowledge.It is so sorry. Even where there are libraries built, there are no or not enough books to read. Go to Abokobi and ...
read full comment
AKANS DO NOT LIKE READING BOOKS
The new school librarian decided that instead of checking out children's books by writing the names of borrowers on the book cards herself, she would have the youngsters sign their own names. She would then tell them they wer ...
read full comment
I think corruption exists when children are not taught and teachers just look out in case an official drops by. But long as a palm is greased, they get warned. Don't pay for babysitting---pay for teaching & results!
There are no libraries in Ghana because people will be looking for books on how to commit suicide.
They are tired of the hardships in the Nation and cannot read with Dumsor all the time.
Some of the greatest and well endowed libraries in the world were not constructed and financed by the government, or by politicians; but by patriotic philanthropists. The whole library system in the city of Baltimore, Marylan ...
read full comment
MArcus,
It doesn't even take a rich man to do that. The late Prof Andam built a library in his village, which is still functioning today. I have started a small one in my village school (primary and JSS). Most local librarie ...
read full comment
Because we are a nation that does not read.
We will rather spend the whole day gossiping, talking about politics or about football, or drinking apketeshie and talking about women instead of reading. If we had libraries, we ...
read full comment
Officials should stop blaming what happened years ago, use the resources your country has to improve your country, not create more kings & chiefs whose main job is being "in charge"
ASK THE POOR THINKING MP'S WHO SAY THEY ARE RUNNING GHANA TO BETTER GHANA
Abena , at 16 years you are so much smarter than a lot of the older commentators on this site.
no country can develop without its people - rich or poor/young or old/ male or female - having a burning desire to acquire kno ...
read full comment
I was at the Ghana Library board at Accra a year ago and I was shocked i could not even get a news paper to read. The building is there as I first saw it 36years ago but no books. Why Ghana?
I cannot forget all the stories I read in my village library 15-20years ago. Anybody who does not read would never be read.The Greeks had centers of learning and produced great Scholars, the Romans had Social Centers and prod ...
read full comment
Maybe too many "chiefs" and not enough workers. Have to get something done and not just talk
Reading changes lives. Education must be a higher priority. Much can be done by individuals but the government needs to do the big things first--reliable clean water, sanitation, teach people about sanitation, build roads a ...
read full comment
Our Christian school and church sent over 2,000 books to start a library for the children in a school in Ghana that we help. Hope to do more of it and could if getting things there was not so hard & corrupt
Wonderful post! very insightful.