Category: Ghana

Library coordinator summarizes book by Glennette Tilley Turner

“Journey of courage on the Underground Railroad”

Author; Darwin Mcbeth Walton with Glennette Tilley Turner  

In the1619s many Africans were already shipped to North America as slaves to work in their farm lands. Some of the servants where white, they work seven years and where free to find jobs. But Africans seven years where turn in to lifetime of work without pay this is how slavery started in North America. Slaves never have the chance to say goodbye to their families neither go back home to meet their families. in fact life was very hard for slaves and their families. Though they could married and raised a family.  Late 1700s the northern part of the United States had become free States. Slaves hoped and dreamed of escaping meanwhile runaway often had to cross more than one state to get freedom. The Seminole American Indians sheltered and protected hundreds of runaway slaves . Canada was a safe place for runaways they did not obey fugitive slaves laws. They often attacked slaves catchers or put them to jail. Tubman risk her life at least nineteen times to get back to her neighborhood. She led her family members and many to freedom all the way to Canada and helped them get settled and later worked as a nurse for the union Army during the civil war. She was a woman who journeyed with great courage.

General meeting of CESRUD librarians in Upper East

The general meeting held at Sumbrungu Community Library, during which we discussed our activities and reviewed some important developments. One of the highlights was the distribution of the 25 books generously donated by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). The books were shared among our four community libraries as follows: Sumbrungu Community Library  8 copies; Sherigu Community Library 6 copies; Gowrie-Kunkua Community Library 6 copies; Nyariga Community Library  5 copies. During the meeting, we also had a reading session using one of the donated storybooks, Adamu the Child Miner, written by Esther Serwah Asiedu. The story is based in Paga, in the Upper East Region of Ghana, and highlights the devastating effects of illegal mining (galamsey) on our communities.

Books donated to Sumbrungu Community Library

Here are some photos of the books donated by staff of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in the Upper East Region to Sumbrungu Community Library. CESRUD former Coordinator, Mr. Paul Ayutoliya Ayantoya, who is currently with the EPA, was among those associated with this kind gesture. The donation comprised 25 books, as detailed below:

15 copies of Adamu the Child Miner by Esther Serwah Asiedu.

10 copies of Cacophony by Naomi Adjei.

We sincerely appreciate the EPA staff for their generosity and commitment to promoting reading and literacy in our communities. These books will enrich the library’s collection, provide our patrons with more reading materials, and encourage a stronger reading culture among children and young people. We are grateful for their support and hope this gesture will inspire further partnerships and contributions towards improving access to reading materials in our community libraries.

Daytime session at Sherigu Community Library

Reading AMOAKO AND THE FOREST, Author: Deborah Cowley, Photos: Kathy Knowles. The book is about a Ghanaian forester named Amoako. He tells us about his job with a legal logging company. He explains how trees are chosen, how they are felled, the dangers of the work, and how logs are taken to the timber yard to make furniture. He says they never cut trees on Friday because it is a taboo in their culture. He also shows that they plant new trees to replace the ones they cut, and they use leftover wood so nothing is wasted.

Nyariga community library, daytime activities

From the Nyariga librarian: Today students were busy with their lessons in class but a student nurse came for his personal studies. We read Ungrateful Heart by Yaw Adom together after his studies and the book gave us a lot of knowledge and understanding. The story teaches that education, hard work, friendship, family support and humility are important for success. It also warns people not to become ungrateful after receiving help or achieving success. We should always appreciate and remember the people who helped us when we were growing up, remain humble when we become successful, and use our success to help others.

Reading The Amazing Adventures of Auntie Ashanti in Sherigu library

From library coordinator Amii Clement: Please find the attached photos from Sherigu community library where myself and the librarian read together with the patrons of a story book entitled The Amazing Adventures of Auntie Ashanti. The book is a children’s adventure story about discovering Ghana and learning about its place, people and cultures, written by Melissa Kreek. The story of Auntie Ashanti talks about when she travels and discovers the beautiful and interesting things that Ghana has. It all started with her disappearance back in the month of May, when searching for food she spied a promising buffet. It was a basket filled with donuts, fresh and fried, and like any hungry ant, she’d rushed to get inside. And was swept up off her feet and whisked away from home. When she climbed up to the basket top she had found human zoo. She felt exposed and frightened. She hadn’t made this choice. But as the started moving, came a loud and friendly voice. “Akwaaba, which in Twi means you’re welcome! I’m your tour guide Flo. In the next two weeks we will tour Ghana far and wide.” Auntie was surprised to know what she was in for. She had  finally get a chance to see the world beyond her front door.  Auntie Ashanti Adventures give readers the opportunity to learn more about Ghana following her journey. Ghana is presented as a country with many interesting places, different communities, and rich cultural heritage. Some of the places she travels were West to Elmina then to Cape Coast, Paga Crocodile pond, crashing waves upon the beach, Kakum Canopy walk, Kumasi where she’d long heard stories told of great Ashanti King, kente cloth and stool of gold, Mole National Park in the North. She also travel to Bolgatanga Basket weavers in the Upper East, then back in Accra, one final stop through the gates of Black Star Square. She was filled with pride to see her flag wave everywhere. One important part of the book is the way it introduces Ghanaian culture. Her journey helps patrons to  understand that traveling is not only about seeing new places but also about meeting people and learning from them. Her encounters with new friends show the importance of friendship, communication, kindness and being open to people who may have different experiences from our own. The book encourage children to travel to different places to be able to discover what is around them. 

Reading at Nyariga Community Library

From Clement: We read a story book entitled Bolga by bus, author of Dr. G.A. Agambila, with adults at the Nyariga community library together with the Librarian. The story book talks about how enthusiastic the little boy was desperately wants to know his father’s hometown and he sets on a long journey to find his father who abandoned his mother many years ago. His journey takes him through the cultural and physical landscape of Ghana. He finally meets his uncle and grandmother. He became familiar with the towns in Ghana from Accra to Bolga and experiences especially the 780 kilometre journey. We also learned a Glossary of Non – English and special terms in Africa such as Akpeteshie, Akpeleh, Amani, Dansika, Saagibor, Tanya, and Tuo Zaafi and many more. Chiefs names in Bolga from 1843 to current Chiefs.