Library inaugurated for K'dua Methodist basic schools

A new community library for pupils and students in Methodist basic schools within the New Juaben South Municipality in the Eastern Region has been inaugurated.

The facility, which has been stocked with story books and others on various subjects such as Science, mathematics, history, as well as dictionaries and bibles, is to promote the culture of reading among pupils, students and the youth in the area.

The library named after Belinda Doris Arkorful popularly called Linda Dor, was built by Belinda Doris Arkorful, a founder of Linda Dor, a fast-food distribution company in the municipality who is also a philanthropist and lover of God.

The edifice was inaugurated on the premises of one of the Methodist basic schools at Betom, a suburb of Koforidua, last Wednesday, which was attended by a number of Clergymen, chiefs, heads of Methodist basic schools, parents, pupils, students and the youth.

Doors of wisdom 

In his inaugural address, the Bishop of the Koforidua Diocese of the Methodist Church Ghana, Rt Rev. Dr Emmanuel Kwadwo Asare-Kusi, said God had opened the doors of wisdom through the Founder of Linda Dor, to assist the pupils, students and the youth in the area to improve on their reading habit.

He stated that such a gesture should be emulated by others who had been blessed by God, because Ghanaians were each other's keeper.
Rt Rev. Dr Asare-Kusi indicated that by doing so, pupils, students and the youth would excel and secure a good future for the benefit of society.

He appealed to the teachers to properly guide the pupils and students on the use of the books to ensure they enjoy the full benefit of the facility.

The Founder of Linda Dor, Belinda Doris Arkorful, said she decided to put up the facility because libraries were not properly functioning during her school days.

Older generation 

She pointed out that if the older generation had benefitted from such a facility, they would have had better command of the English language than the present generation who are very fluent in the language.

Mrs Arkorful, who was hopeful that the facility would be put to good use, expressed appreciation to the past Bishop of the diocese, Rt Rev. Michael Agyakwa Bossman, who initiated the project as well as the current Bishop.

Ruth Doe Nunekpeku of the Ghana Library Authority who stood in for the Eastern Regional Director, Evans Korletey-Tene, said reading was dreaming with open eyes and that a reader today is 'a leader tomorrow'.

She stated that the library doors were opened at any day for technical assistance and assured Linda Dor of good maintenance of the facility.

Assistance 

The Head Teacher of the Koforidua Freeman Methodist Basic 'A' School, one of the beneficiary schools, Bernice Kaki Caesar, said they solicited for assistance for the construction of the facility through the then bishop of the diocese, Michael Agyakwa, and was happy that it had been accomplished.

She, however, called for the provision of computers as well as the construction of a fence around the schools to ward off intruders.

That, Ms Caesar indicated, would keep miscreants, especially smokers of wee and other harmful substances such as marijuana and tramadol at bay.

The Ketehene of the New Juaben Traditional Area, Nana Kofi Ampomah, who represented the Omanhene, Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III, said the education of the children was dear to the heart of the Omanhene and therefore it was necessary to support their education.

That, he stated, would enable them to live meaningful lives and at the same time become future leaders.

Writer's email: haruna.wunpini@graphic.com.gh