The CEO of the Ghana Library Authority Hayford Siaw has insisted that the government of Ghana has made significant investments into the Ghana Libraries.
Hayford Siaw has led a transformative initiative since taking office in January 2018. He claimed that the state of the Ghana Library Authority at the time of his appointment and outlined the progress made to date.
His initiatives have revitalized the library system in Ghana, with a clear emphasis on accessibility, technology, and community engagement.
State of the Library System in 2017
‘’In 2017, when we took over and handed over notes and everything was done, we had 61 public libraries in Ghana.”
Hayford Siaw CEO of the Ghana Library Authority
The network of libraries had increased over the years, but a striking observation was made regarding the number of books.
“Out of the 61 libraries, the books on the shelves of these 61 libraries [were] just around 349,000, but juxtaposing that with what was the situation in 1981; In 1981, we had 36 libraries in Ghana with over 1,040,000 books.”
Hayford Siaw CEO of the Ghana Library Authority
However, the expansion in the library network had not been matched by an increase in available resources, leading to diminished patronage and low levels of community engagement.
Increasing Library Footprint and Book Resources
Since taking office, Siaw has pursued a bold strategy to expand the library footprint across Ghana, in line with the government’s 2018–2030 strategic plan.
“We decided to go an aggressive, you know, strategy to be able to devise different strategies to be able to expand the footprints. Today, we have added 72 new libraries to the network.
Books on the shelves which are decline to less than 400,000 today, we are hitting almost 2,000,000 books on the shelves of public libraries.”
Hayford Siaw CEO of the Ghana Library Authority
For instance, smaller libraries typically have 5,000 to 10,000 books, while larger facilities like the Accra Central Library can hold up to 25,000. He clarified; “The size really determines the number of resources that are made available.”
Leveraging Technology for Knowledge Access
Recognizing the role of technology in expanding access, Siaw has introduced several digital initiatives. “Through the use of technology, we can be able to give Ghanaians access to resources.’’
A key innovation is the Ghana Library App, which offers e-books, audiobooks, and video tutorials.
“Once you are within the geographical location of Ghana you can download the app and have access to some of the resources that we’ve put in there.”
Hayford Siaw CEO of the Ghana Library Authority
Siaw emphasized the app’s appeal to parents and students, with resources including educational video tutorials recorded by the Ghana Education Service.
Digital Infrastructure and ICT Education
Besides digital resources, Siaw’s administration has focused on establishing digital infrastructure within library facilities.
“We’ve procured over 1,000 computers that we’ve shared across most of our libraries across the country,” he said.
In addition, internet connectivity has been expanded to almost half of the libraries nationwide under the government’s digital strategy. This infrastructure is especially beneficial for ICT education.
He added noting that libraries in communities without sufficient resources for ICT labs can benefit from the computers and internet available at libraries.
Impact on Library Patronage
“We used to record around 350,000 visits annually in 2017, 2016. Today, we are almost at 1,800,000 visits annually.”
Hayford Siaw CEO of the Ghana Library Authority
This rise in patronage reflects the growing popularity of libraries among children, who constitute about 80% of visitors, with adults accounting for 20%.
“So, you find a significant number of people that are using our libraries being kids between the ages of 18 and below.’’
Hayford Siaw CEO of the Ghana Library Authority
Under Hayford Siaw’s leadership, the Ghana Library Authority has made remarkable strides in expanding its network, increasing resources, and integrating digital solutions.
This comprehensive approach ensures that libraries remain relevant and accessible to a diverse audience, fulfilling the Authority’s mandate to equip, maintain, and manage libraries for public use.
Through Siaw’s vision and initiatives, Ghana’s libraries are positioned to serve as critical hubs of knowledge and technology in communities across the country.
