By Ashiadey Dotse
The Member of Parliament for Effutu and Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has commissioned the Richard C. Ekem Library and ICT Centre in the Effutu Municipality to improve digital education and learning in the area.
The new facility adds to the 18 libraries already built in the constituency by the lawmaker. It includes a 100-seater ICT centre, a 150-seater conference hall, and private reading rooms to support research, training, and academic work.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Monday, December 15, Mr. Afenyo-Markin warned users not to misuse the ICT centre, especially for internet fraud and other illegal activities. He urged students and young people to use the facility responsibly to build skills and improve their education.
According to him, the centre is meant to nurture future technology leaders and ethical innovators in Ghana. He called on parents, teachers, and community leaders to guide young people to use technology for positive purposes and not for crime.
A Board Member of the Ghana Library Authority, Dr. Cyril Fayose, also spoke at the event. He raised concerns about challenges facing some of the existing libraries in the constituency, including unpaid staff salaries and outstanding utility bills.
Dr. Fayose appealed to the Effutu Municipal Chief Executive to support the Member of Parliament’s efforts by helping to settle these arrears to ensure the proper maintenance and sustainability of the libraries.
He further announced plans to amend the 55-year-old Ghana Library Authority Act to create a Library Development Fund and establish a Library Council to regulate and license professional librarians across the country.
