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09.09.2013 General News

GH¢42,000 community library for Agona Asafo

09.09.2013 LISTEN
By Daily Graphic

It is the first of it kind in the district and aimed at providing a unique opportunity for pupils to study in the absence of a teacher.

The project is also to enable students upgrade their knowledge and to cultivate the habit of reading which would improve their reading, speaking and writing skills.

In his inaugural address, the Minister of State in charge of Private and Public Partnerships, Mr Rashid Pelpuo, underscored the importance of libraries towards improving the academic performance of students.

He stated that the library would help improve the knowledge of school pupils, as well as enable them upgrade whatever they had been taught in class.

Mr Pelpuo admonished students to make good use of the facility for it to achieve its intended purpose.

He commended Professor Oduro for his tremendous contribution towards the completion of the project, adding that it showed his commitment towards giving back to society.

The minister donated GH¢2000 towards the furnishing of the library.

Professor Oduro noted that the idea to construct the library was nursed in 2006, but actual construction began in 2008.

He expressed gratitude to the Friends of Agona Asafo for their generosity towards the project which would help keep students busy, particularly after school hours.

He stressed that the next target was the stocking of the library with 2,000 books, as well as computers and accessories to promote e-learning.

Professor Oduro expressed the hope that parents would encourage their children to make good use of the facility to enable them to broaden their scope of knowledge.

Kathy McBrearty, a member of the Friends of Agona Asafo, said it was as a result of her visit to the town in 2006 that gave birth to the formation of the association which supported the project.

Reverend Dr Keith Riglin, on behalf of the All Saints Educational Trust, Cambridge, presented a cheque for GH¢30,000 to help furnish the library.

Nana Yamfo Asuako XI, the Odikro of the town, lauded Professor Oduro and the Friends of Agona Asafo for the pivotal roles they played towards the construction of the project.

He appealed to indigenes of the town occupying high positions to come home and support the progress of the town.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape coast, Professor D.D. Kuupole, pledged the UCC's commitment towards stocking of the library, as well as its maintenance in order to benefit generations yet unborn.

An eight-member management committee was inaugurated to supervise the operations of the library.

By Joe Okyere & Gilbert Mawuli Agbey/Daily Graphic/Ghana

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