The Ghana Library Authority (GhLA) was formally established in 1950 and forms a critical part of Ghana’s historical artefacts. It was setup to improve literacy outcomes, which is key to the development of the country. This is done through the provision of information services which seek to improve reading outcomes, leading to increased public awareness as a critical component of the overall strategy towards tackling illiteracy, poverty, disease and unemployment related problems.
The Ordinance was re-enacted as the Ghana Library Board Act, 1970 (Act 327). Act 327 was also amended by Act 562 of 1998 for the Ghana Library Board to become Ghana Library Authority. The mandate of the Ghana Library Authority is to establish, equip, maintain and manage public libraries in Ghana.