Accra: The Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG) has handed over a modern library to the Osu Salem Basic School in Accra to improve teaching, learning, and student performance in the final year examinations.
According to Ghana News Agency, the new facility, named ‘Henrietta Adjei’s Memorial Library’ in honor of the late headmistress, is equipped with computers, textbooks, storybooks, past Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) questions, atlases, globes, ceiling fans, and furniture. The library’s collection of storybooks includes titles such as The Magic Porridge Pot, The Princess and the Frog, Who Killed Change? The Cockcrow, and Grandma’s List.
The library’s textbooks cover a wide range of subjects including English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Creative Arts, French, and Ga-English Translation. Additionally, catering books and dictionaries are also available for the various grades. Beyond establishing the library, CBG’s ‘Give to Get and Employee Volunteering Project’ also saw the bank refurbish parts of the school by repainting walls, replacing ceilings, and furnishing the headmaster’s office with sofas, a television set, and a refrigerator.
Mrs. Esi Mmirba Wilson, Director of People and Transformation at CBG, stated that the bank identified the school’s need for a library through the Municipal Education Directorate. She emphasized that learning and development are integral to the bank’s success and that supporting Salem Basic School, which previously had no library, was crucial for enhancing children’s knowledge and understanding of their subjects.
Mrs. Wilson expressed hope that the facility would encourage critical thinking and creativity among students, particularly with advancements in Artificial Intelligence. She advised parents to invest in books for their children or encourage them to use the school’s library to boost their intelligence, instead of spending excessive time on tablets.
Additionally, Mrs. Wilson recommended hiring a librarian to maintain the books and ensure order in the library. She highlighted the importance of educating children on the proper care of library materials to preserve them for future use.
Mr. Seth Obiri Mante, Head of Human Resource Management at Korle Klottey Municipal Education Directorate, praised the initiative, noting that the library would assist children in conducting research and developing innovative solutions. He remarked on the shift in educational focus towards research, allowing children to think independently and propose solutions.
Mr. Mantey encouraged learners to use the library with guidance from their teachers to combat misinformation and disinformation and urged parents to visit the facility and support their children’s education.
Mr. Emmanuel Nii Tackie Tackey, Headteacher of Osu Salem Basic 1, expressed gratitude to the bank for its significant support. He highlighted the importance of computers in schools, especially in today’s digital age, and noted that the library would greatly enhance teaching and learning. He anticipated improved BECE results from students, thanks to the new resources available at the library.