Africa-Press – Ghana. Dr Michael Ato Essuman, Board Chair of the Ghana Library Authority (GLA), has called on librarians to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) in executing their tasks.
He said they could adopt AI for cataloguing, data retrieval and workflow automation.
Dr Essuman in an address during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association, said AI tools would allow librarians to deepen their focus on curation, user guidance, ethics and digital literacy.
He said AI could reshape the future of librarianship since libraries could no longer be defined only by their collections but by their connections.
Dr Essuman noted that AI was not a threat to librarians but rather a powerful tool that would take on repetitive tasks and free professionals to focus on higher-level responsibilities.
He said “AI is not coming for the librarian’s job; it is coming for the librarian’s tasks.”
Dr Essuman called on librarians to invest in their own digital skills, experiment with new technologies, and lead national conversations on ethical AI and information literacy.
He noted that the future of knowledge and the intellectual resilience of Ghana rested on the ability of librarians to innovate now.
He said the growing importance of social technologies in Ghana was making it possible for libraries to use platforms like “WhatsApp, X” and online learning channels to reach remote students, small business owners, and busy professionals.
“Virtual reading clubs, micro-learning sessions, and national digital literacy campaigns can expand the reach of libraries beyond physical walls.”
He urged the Association to position itself at the forefront of national policy initiatives, including the government’s 24-hour economy agenda.
Dr Essuman encouraged collaboration with the GLA to submit innovative proposals that aligned libraries with Ghana’s development goals.
Dr Hawa Osman, Chair of the Local Organizing Committee, urged participants to take full advantage of the programme’s learning and networking opportunities.
Mr Kodjo Antwi Asafo-Adjei, President of the GLA, said the AGM was the Association’s most important platform for reviewing progress and setting priorities for the future.
He acknowledged the resource limitations many librarians face but reminded members that their work remained central to Ghana’s progress in education, digital transformation, youth empowerment, and social development.
Professor Lydia Aziato, Vice Chancellor of University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), described library as the “heart” of any learning environment and emphasised that librarianship was a scientific discipline with deep intellectual demands.
She urged librarians to collaborate closely with IT units, adopt ethical and responsible AI practices, and champion community-based literacy programmes.
Dr Monica Mensah-Danquah, the Guest Speaker, encouraged librarians to continue learning, rising together, and contributing meaningfully to shaping Ghana’s future.
She reminded participants of the crucial role librarians played in shaping the minds of future generations and emphasised that their work remained central to national progress.
The AGM was on the theme: “Innovating for Impact: Libraries in the Age of AI and Social Technologies.”
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