The Ghana Library Authority, established in 1950 as the Ghana Library Board, was the first public library service in sub-Saharan Africa. The public library movement in Ghana began in 1928, as a personal effort of the then Anglican Bishop Orfeur Anglionby of Accra. In 1946, the Aglionby Library Management Committee worked with the British Council Advisory Committee, towards library development in the then Gold Coast.^[1] In 2018 President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo appointed a Ghanaian Social Entrepreneur, Hayford Siaw as GhLA Chief Executive Officer.^[2] In May 2021, the Authority was shortlisted for the LBF International Excellence Awards in the 'Library of the Year' Category.^[3][4]

The public library movement in Ghana began in 1928, as a personal effort of the then Anglican Bishop Orfeur Anglionby of Accra who succeeded in building a small library at the Bishop's House with book donated by church members in England for reading and borrowing by the public. The work of the Committee resulted in the passing of the Gold Coast Library Board Ordinance Cap 118, in December, 1949, which became operational on 1 January 1950.^[5]

It assumed responsibility for the Anglionby Library, which had been started by John Aglionby, the Anglican bishop of Accra, and the British Council's library service led by Eve Evans.It served as a model for other public library services in Africa.^[6] The British Council handed over its Librarian, Miss E. J. A. Evans, and a stock of 27,000 books to start the public library service.^[7] This volumes of books were housed in a wing of the King George V Memorial Hall which later became the parliament house for the first, second and third republics. The year 1950 was a significant landmark in the history of public library service in Ghana under the Gold Coast Library Board Ordinance cap 118, which was passed by the legislation council in 1949.^[8] The Ordinance was later re-enacted as Ghana Library Board Act 372.^[9]

This Act charges Ghana Library Authority to establish, equip, manage and maintain public libraries in Ghana; take all such steps as may be necessary to discharge such functions; and to give effect to the principles and provisions of this act.^[10] Aside this function, Ghana Library Authority is to conduct in service training courses,^[7] seminars and workshops for school Library Assistants and tutor Librarians;^[11] visiting schools periodically to inspect and ensure that employee in these libraries are performing to the required standards; and reorganising school and college libraries and helping institutions interested in setting up libraries in their communities.^[12]

Evelyn Evans was the first Director of Ghana Library Board. The Authority is currently headed by Ghanaian Social Entrepreneur, Hayford Siaw who was appointed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo ^[13]

In May 2021, the Ghana Library Authority was awarded the ‘Library of the Year’ at the London Book Fair (LBF) International Excellence Awards.^[14]

The Anglionby Library was a huge success, therefore a committee was set up. The committee approached the Commonwealth Education and Welfare Trust for money to build more branches especially children's library. The Trust offered £3,000 for the provision of three libraries in Accra. The donated money was used to build the Osu, Accra Central and Kaneshie.^[15] In 1975, there was 17 branches across the country.^[16] As at 2019, there were 73 public libraries under Ghana Library Authority.^[17]

Bono Region

• Regional Library
• Dormaa Library
• Sunyani Children's Library - 20 March 1970
• Duadaso Library
• Wenchi Branch Library

Bono East Region

• Techiman Library
• Kintampo Library

Ahafo Region

• Goaso Library
• Duayaw Nkwanta

The objectives of the Ghana Library Authority is to provide materials for educational support, in the areas of both formal or informal education, in order to have a mass of informed citizens in the country and act as a centre for the dissemination of information of any kind and by any means, such as books, newspapers, magazines; to provide facilities for study and research. Additional objectives include active participation in community activities, with the provision of information to fill specific needs, and to promote and encourage a reading culture in the country..These sections were created to fulfill the objectives.

• Ghana Library Authority recently launched an e-learning project Read2Skill. The objective of the project is to enable Ghanaians have the opportunity to undertake courses on the world largest open learning platform, Udemy.^[27][28]
• GhLA Scholastic.^[29]
• National Short Story Writing Challenge.^[30]
• The Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS), in collaboration with the Ghana Library Authority (GhLA) and the Parliament of Ghana held "Parliament Reads 2020" under the theme “Inspiring the Next Generation Leaders to be Readers.^[31]
• Ghana Library Authority declares 2020 as "Year of Learning"^[32]
• Library Authority Extends Operations to Abuakwa North Municipality.
• Library Authority receives vehicles from government.
• Library Authority secures license for 1000 Ghanaians to study on Coursera.^[33]
• Ghana Library Authority extends services to Jaman North Municipality.
• Refurbished Children's’ Library in Sunyani Commissioned.
• Eastern Regional Library Launched "Seventy4seventy" Project.
• Kyebi Traditional Leaders hand over J.B Danquah Memorial Centre to GhLA.
• Ghana Library has established 64 Reading Clubs in the Volta and Oti Regions.
• Eastern Regional Library Launched STEM Study Hub.^[34]
• Ghana Library Authority Refurbished Children's Libraries.
• Ghana Library Launched Children's Corner in the Northern Region.^[35]

As of 2021 Governing Board members of the Ghana Library Authority include:^[26]

• Mr. Alikem Cudjoe Tamakloe - Greater Accra
• Mr. Aaron Kuwornu - Northern, North East and Savannah
• Madam Elizabeth Arthur - Ashanti
• Mr Guy Ebenezer Amarteifio - Volta and Oti
• Mr. Leslie Kansanga - Upper East
• Mr. Evans Korletey-Tene - Eastern
• Mr. Augustine Rogatus Votere - Upper West
• Mr. Harold Appiah Kubi - Central
• Mr. Ofosu Frimpong - Bono, Bono East and Ahafo
• Mr. Philip Asamoa - Western and Western North

• Ghana Library Association