In a move to preserve the legacies of Ghana’s former presidents, the government has announced plans to establish presidential libraries in their honour.
The initiative, according to the Minister for Education, is part of a broader effort to promote national history, innovation, and a culture of reading.
The announcement was made by Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu during the swearing-in of the newly constituted Governing Council for the Ghana Library Authority in Accra.
The Minister expressed concern over the chronic lack of funding for the Authority, which he says is stifling its ability to modernize and drive innovation in public libraries across the country.
“Accordingly, I assure that in the next few days or months I will through cabinet seek a review of the Act of the Ghana Library Board which allow for the creation of presidential libraries.”
“So, I am tasking this new Board with a new initiative not to be funded by the state but by the private sector and corporate individuals, we should be able to honour all the presidents who have served our country,” he explained.
Haruna Iddrisu also lamented the low reading culture in Ghana, attributing it in part to poor infrastructure and limited access to modern technology.
The establishment of presidential libraries is expected to serve as educational and research centers—preserving not only presidential archives but also inspiring civic engagement among younger generations.
“You know what the presidential Library does, it will keep the legacy of our presidents so that others will learn, so I am tasking the Council to work with the private sector so that we can have monuments, a presidential one in honour of those who have served our country.”
“And it will keep their contributions for those who have served in public life including the rights and wrong they have done so that children will learn,” he noted.
The Education Minister says the new Governing Council of the Ghana Library Authority has a critical role to play in driving this vision. More details are expected in the coming weeks as the proposal heads to Cabinet.
Governing Council Chairman of the Ghana Library Authority assured the sector Minister of their maximum support to embark on an expansion drive.
