Despite government and NGOs support to libraries in Ghana, the Upper East Regional library is yet to receive anything substantial for its operation, causing the management of the library to rent the auditorium of the Library to various organizations, especially Churches in order to raise funds for maintenance and other library activities.
In an exclusive interview with A1-Radio in Bolgatanga the Regional Librarian, Leslie Kansangu, explained that, there are numerous laws and regulations that have been spell out, banning non library activities from happening in the libraries and Bolgatanga library is not exception, but for the past ten (10) years, the library has not received any significant support in the form of money or books either form government or private entities, to aid operations.
“… it is shocking to many to note that, since I took over from the formal Librarian, 10 years now, the library has never received any support from government nor private entities. The fact is, we have bills to pay, either light or other utilities, and we have to resort to the churches to be paying these bills, whiles using our auditorium.” He said.
The Librarian stressed that, the money they receive from these churches are barely enough to keep the activities of the library going, but “… something little is better than nothing.” He added.
Leslie Kansangu also noted that, for almost 12 years of being a Librarian, conditions of services are very poor and yet, ends up channeling part of the little he receives at the end of the month into some library activities.
In view of that, Mr. Kansangu has called for support from the Private Sector and government to help ginger library activities in order for the young ones to also have interest of becoming Librarians in the future.
Source: a1radioonline.com | 101.1 MHz | Moses Apiah
