The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has called for urgent and deliberate action to revive Ghana’s declining reading culture through substantial national investment in libraries at all levels of education.
Speaking before the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament on Monday, November 3, 2025, Mr. Iddrisu expressed concern over the country’s waning reading habits, which he said are negatively impacting learning outcomes and civic consciousness.
> “The reading culture in Ghana needs to improve,” the Minister stated. “When you travel abroad, especially in the mornings, you see almost everyone reading a newspaper or a book, catching up on current affairs. We must take a hard look at how to build and sustain a strong reading culture in Ghana.”
Mr. Iddrisu revealed that inadequate library facilities have been a recurring issue raised during his regional tours.
> “I was in Bono Ahafo, and the Omanhene invited me to discuss concerns about the Sunyani Regional Library. The same issue was raised in Koforidua. In many schools, students lack proper access to library resources,” he said.
To address this, the Education Minister announced that the Ministry of Education will soon present a motion before Parliament to ensure that every school in Ghana has access to a library facility.
He further disclosed that the government is exploring innovative ways to integrate digital libraries into the educational system, aiming to promote reading and research, especially among students in remote areas.
> “We need to invest more in libraries,” Mr. Iddrisu emphasized. “If we have the resources, we should be thinking about establishing digital libraries across all levels of education to make reading accessible to everyone.”
The Minister’s comments come amid growing concern that poor reading habits are contributing to low academic performance and limited critical thinking among students. Education experts have long advocated for stronger reading initiatives and improved library infrastructure as key components of national development.
Story : Nyamebeye Kofi Ansah Sasraku