The Ghana Library Authority (GhLA) has embarked on a nationwide ‘Read Walk’ to create awareness on reading and the existence of public libraries in the country.

The walk, which forms part of activities marking the 70th-anniversary of the institution, was on the theme: ‘A sound mind for knowledge acquisition.’

In an interview with the Executive Director, Mr Hayford Siaw, he indicated: “Promoting literacy and life-long learning is at the heart of the institution and, so, we embarked on this walk to raise awareness on reading and encourage Ghanaians to make good use of the 71 public libraries across the country because they function effectively.”  

The nationwide walk brought together GhLA staff, management and some patrons who walked through the streets amidst music and dancing, coupled with the display of placards and sharing of brochures on the Authority’s services across the country.

In recognition of the role of bibliotherapy in healing and its importance for children, the team in the Greater Accra Region, as part of the walk, donated books to children at the Pediatric Department of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital and subsequently held a brief reading session with some of the children.

In Cape Coast, Central Region, the team also donated books and consumables to the Ankaful Prisons.

In Bolgatanga, Kumasi and Koforidua, the walk ended with an aerobics session primarily to encourage physical fitness and overall health and wellness among the staff.

The GhLA has declared 2020 as its Year of Learning, on the theme: ’70 years of transforming minds through libraries’, to encourage Ghanaians to read to acquire knowledge and enhance their skills. The areas of focus for the Year of Learning include improving service delivery through technology, promoting literacy and life-long learning, increasing footprints and book stock, and renovating public and SHS libraries.