The Minority Leader in Parliament and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has commissioned an ultra-modern community library and state-of-the-art ICT centre at Low Cost, marking the 19th library initiative he has single-handedly funded in the constituency.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Afenyo-Markin called on parents, educators and community leaders to deliberately use education and technology to nurture ethical, innovative and globally competitive young people. He traced his lifelong passion for reading to the discipline of his childhood, recalling how his mother, a teacher, prioritised books over television an experience he said shaped his values and deepened his belief in libraries as essential tools for national development.
He described the new facility as more than a repository of books, referring to it as a “launchpad for ideas” designed to produce Ghana’s next generation of technology leaders, innovators and ethical entrepreneurs. According to him, the centre is intended to equip young people with skills to develop homegrown solutions to Africa’s challenges rather than merely replicate foreign models.
Warning against the misuse of digital tools, the Minority Leader urged the youth to view technology as a force for creativity and progress, not fraud or criminal activity. He stressed that innovation must be guided by strong character, noting that technology ultimately reflects the values of its user. He added that the true success of the library would be measured not by the number of computers installed, but by the values and discipline instilled in those who use it.
The facility was dedicated in honour of Mr. Richard C. Ekem, whose early investment in education in 1995, long before STEM education became mainstream, was described as visionary. Afenyo-Markin said Mr. Ekem “planted minds, not monuments,” and that his quiet commitment to children’s education would have a lasting national impact.
Addressing students, the MP encouraged them to read widely, ask bold questions and believe that their background does not define their future. He said the project demonstrates how community-driven investment in human capital can transform families, communities and the nation at large. He concluded by urging residents to protect and sustain the facility so it can serve future generations as a centre of discipline, ambition and innovation.
Representing the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Library Authority (GLA), Board Member Rev. Dr. Cyril G. K. Fayose described the facility as more than a physical structure, noting that libraries remain critical hubs for knowledge acquisition, skills development, lifelong learning, creativity and civic engagement. He said expanding access to libraries is a direct investment in Ghana’s human capital, particularly for children and young people.
Dr. Fayose commended Afenyo-Markin and the Effutu Municipal Assembly for prioritising education, arguing that if similar initiatives were replicated across the country, the impact on national development would be significant. While expressing appreciation on behalf of the Board and Management of the GLA, he cautioned that infrastructure alone is not enough, citing challenges such as staffing, utilities and operational costs that affect some libraries nationwide.
Also speaking at the event, the Effutu Municipal Director of Education, Madam Diana Anderson, described the Low Cost Community ICT and Library Complex as a major milestone in the municipality’s educational development. She said the project reflects a firm commitment to ensuring that no community is left behind in the digital revolution.
According to her, the facility provides an important platform for learners at all levels, teachers, the youth and community members to acquire the knowledge and digital skills needed to thrive in today’s technology-driven world. She commended the Member of Parliament for complementing efforts to nurture creative, digitally competent citizens capable of contributing meaningfully to national development.
Story By:Sheila Otuo-Baffour