As part of celebrations for Ghana’s 69th Independence Day, the Ghana Library Authority, in partnership with the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO), has organized a National Clean Air Campaign in Bono East, with activities focused in Techiman, the regional capital. The initiative seeks to promote a cleaner and healthier environment.
The campaign featured a float traversing the principal streets of Techiman, attracting the attention of residents while spreading messages on environmental cleanliness and the importance of air quality. Several schools in the Techiman Municipality also joined the float, contributing to the success of the event and engaging students in environmental awareness activities.
Speaking to our reporter, the Bono East Regional Ghana Library Finance Manager and Coordinator for the Youth Engagement Center, Edgard Mwininge, said the campaign is designed to send a strong message to authorities and the public about environmental responsibility.
“Our message is that we want to promote a clean environment. It is impossible to build prosperity when waste is not properly managed. Likewise, it is difficult to restore hope in the lives of people when the environment and the air they breathe are polluted.”
He added that the partnership with GAYO also calls on authorities to develop proper systems for waste management and ensure the welfare of waste workers, whose contributions are vital to maintaining clean communities.
“We must also recognize the important role of waste workers. Their dignity and welfare are very important, and their unionization should be encouraged. Our environment can only remain clean through their efforts, and they should never be taken for granted.”
The Bono East Regional Director of the Ghana Library Authority, Charlotte Nsiah Tabiri, seized the opportunity to appeal for the establishment of more public libraries across the Bono East Region, stressing the importance of providing access to books and learning resources for both children and adults.
According to heri, the Authority runs a public library in Techiman that serves both adults and children. She explained that the facility has an adult department, a children’s department, and an ICT centre, where children are trained on basic computer skills, including typing and proper use of the mouse.
She further noted that the library conducts outreach programs, visiting schools to register children as members and provide them with books to read. Adults also benefit from the services through discussion sessions and the use of the library for Zoom meetings and other activities.
“It is a public library that serves both adults and children. We have an adult department and a children’s department. We also have an ICT centre where children are trained on basic computer skills such as typing and even how to hold and use a mouse.
“In addition, we run outreach services where we visit schools, register children as members, and provide them with books to read. We also organize adult sessions where people come together to discuss issues in various groups. Some adults also use the facility to hold their Zoom meetings and other activities.”
However, Ms. Tabiri raised concern over the limited number of libraries in the region.
“Currently, a major challenge is that the Bono East Region has only three libraries located in Techiman, Kintampo, and Atebubu, despite having 11 district assemblies. It is my appeal to the remaining eight municipal and district assemblies, as well as their MMDCEs, to ensure that libraries are established in every district to help inculcate the habit of reading among the youth.”
Source: Elvisanokye.com