PROMOTING THE USE OF ICTS: THE ROLE OF GHANA’S ACADEMIC AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN ACHIEVING THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Information and communication technologies have brought remarkable changes and transformation in this 21st century. These changes have helped both developed and developing countries to reach greater heights in certain areas of human development. Although its emergence has really transformed the world and everything in it, developing countries still find themselves behind in terms of providing access to either free or affordable ICTs. ICTs are very crucial to sustainable development hence its provision and accessibility should be free or affordable in a developing country like Ghana since it is the only way to being part of the information superhighway. Using the mixed method approach, Heads of ICT Department in the Northern Regional Library, Ghana and University for Development Studies Library, Nyankpala, Ghana and library users of both libraries were selected to participate in the study. The results of the study revealed that both libraries provide access to free computers to users. It was also found that both libraries provide access to the internet but users who visit the Northern Regional library are charged for accessing the internet whilst patrons who use the University library’s internet access it free of charge. The results generally revealed that these institutions are working feverously in diverse ways towards the attainment of a sustained project that will impact positively on the lives of citizens by ensuring free or affordable access to the internet and other ICTs.