There is a truism in the saying: a reading nation is an enlightened nation.
It is for this reason that countries around the world invest in building public and institutional libraries, encouraging the culture of reading, especially among children and students.
When children cultivate a love for reading, they carry it into adulthood.
Reading exposes individuals to new ideas, perspectives and knowledge, fostering critical thinking, empathy and informed decision-making.
It is, therefore, deeply worrying that Ghana, with a population of about 35 million, has only 139 public libraries.
This figure is alarmingly inadequate for a country striving to drive development through education, access to information, and lifelong learning.
With such a deficit, Ghana risks falling behind not only in literacy but also in meeting Sustainable Development Goal Four (SDG 4)—ensuring inclusive, equitable, quality education and promoting lifelong learning for all by 2030.
The concern raised by the acting Executive Director of the Ghana Library Authority (GhLA), Ziblim Alhassan Betintiche, is one the nation must treat as urgent.
The Daily Graphic agrees with Mr Betintiche that Ghana cannot hope to transform itself into a knowledge-driven economy without adequate investment in libraries.
Comparisons make the situation starker. Lithuania, with a population of just 2.9 million, boasts more than 1,200 libraries.
Clearly, Ghana has much work to do to close this gap if it truly wants to progress as a reading nation.
Quality libraries—properly equipped with innovative resources—are a proven tool for transformation.
Even more concerning is the uneven distribution of the few libraries that do exist.
Ghana has 16 administrative regions, yet only nine regional libraries, some of which fall below expected standards. Many districts have no libraries at all.
This reality presents a barrier between literacy and illiteracy, development and stagnation. Libraries are not luxuries—they are catalysts for national progress.
That is why it is encouraging that the GhLA is mobilising support, in addition to government funding, to address this deficit.
Its proposal for a dedicated Library Fund to provide sustainable financing, independent of central government allocations, is a laudable initiative.
Partnerships with corporate Ghana and international organisations—such as UNICEF, Book Aid International, Books for Africa, EIFL, and the Du Bois Centre—are equally commendable.
Still, in an age when young people are increasingly drawn to digital media, the conversation about libraries must go beyond brick and mortar. Functional libraries in all basic schools, both public and private, should be made mandatory.
At the same time, investment in electronic libraries is essential to capture the interest of digitally inclined youth.
We encourage the Authority to expand these innovations nationwide and ensure that its digital library app works seamlessly across the country.
Reading and writing competitions, especially during school vacations, can further motivate children to engage with books.
District and regional reading festivals, with attractive rewards, would also nurture healthy competition and learning.
Members of Parliament, too, must be part of the solution.
Beyond their constitutional duties, MPs can help establish libraries and secure reading materials for their constituencies.
Encouragingly, some already do this, and others should follow suit.
In addition, corporate entities and individuals can “adopt” libraries, making them inclusive and attractive to children, the needy, and persons with disabilities.
Ultimately, Ghana has no option but to support its libraries.
They are not just places for reading; they are engines of opportunity and transformation.
A country that aspires to compete globally must first invest in the literacy and enlightenment of its people.
