32 million-cedi Mallam Community Library commissioned

Accra, Sept 18, GNA - Students have been urged to use reading to gain knowledge to break the present vicious circles to promote the development of Africa.

Mr William Addo, Volta Regional Director of the Centre for National Culture, speaking at the commissioning of a 32-million cedi Community Library known as "The Papacy and Friends Community Library" at Mallam in Accra, said this was the only way to bring the continent at par with the rest of the world.

Mr Addo who is also a popular actor, asked residents of the community to patronise the facility, the brainchild of Mr Henry Harding, popularly known as Papa Nii of local television series, Taxi Driver, said this was the only way of improving the community he grew up in. He advised those who would use the Library to inquisitive to improve their outlook to ensure a revolutionary change of the continent. Mr Harding stated that the library had been his "life long dream" and said that he was happy that its' commissioning coincided with a time that concern had been expressed about the falling standard of education in the country.

He stressed that had it not been for the reading habit that was inculcated into him during his school days, "I would not have been where I am today" and urged students in the area to make reading a part and parcel of their life.

Mr Harding thanked all those who played a role in helping him to bring his long cherished dream into reality. The library, which can sit 20 people at a time, is stocked with storybooks and textbooks approved by the Ghana Education Service from class 1 to JSS 3.

Azumah Nelson, the former World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Featherweight Champion cut the tape and unveiled a plague in his honour at the opening.

An appeal for funds to buy more books for the Library yielded more than 10 million cedis.