African Ministers in charge of Public Libraries to meet in Accra for the 3rd Ministerial Roundtable Meeting on Information access

The demands of development in 21st century are different from what was obtainable decades ago because information has taken a central place in moving nations and economies forward. Food insecurity, unemployment, power, traffic jams, youth restiveness, conflicts, corruption to name but a few are daily experiences on the continent. Innovative solutions to everyday challenges bring in more growth to economies than mineral and other natural resources. Innovation is crucial in the 21st century. Many of the world’s most successful and innovative countries recognize this and encourage their citizens through different channels. Access to and sharing of information is vital for building up the innovative quotient of society in education, entrepreneurship, science, communications etc.

How then can Africa develop the culture of birthing innovative solutions to the numerous developmental challenges we face across the continent daily? AfLIA, the trusted voice of the Library and Information sector in Africa, absolutely believes that libraries play vital roles in supporting education, research, innovativeness and development as well as in helping to achieve progress in all of the SDGs and the AU 2063 Agenda.

In conjunction with the Ministry of Education, Ghana, Ghana Library Authority and the African Union, AfLIA is hosting the 3rd Roundtable Meeting of Ministers in charge of Public Libraries in Africa from 28-30th October, 2019 at Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra-Ghana to discuss progress made by Libraries towards achieving the African Development Agenda and to reiterate the point that access to information is crucial for development in Africa and that Libraries are best suited to perform this role. Heads of African National Libraries will have sessions prior to the Ministers Meeting. There will be opportunities for the National Librarians to interact among themselves, with their Ministers and with Emerging African Library Leaders. AfLIA will also use the opportunity to unveil how African Libraries have been driving development across the 7 Aspirations of the AU 2063 Agenda. AfLIA is deeply committed to the advancement of Libraries in the continent and firmly believes that this high-level advocacy for will bear numerous tangible fruits for Libraries of all types in Africa.