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THE Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Library Authority (GhLA), Hayford Siaw, has been honoured for his outstanding contribution to systems change, partnership and advancement towards the achievement of aspects of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A non-profit organisation, Reach for Change, which conferred the award on him, said it was in recognition of Mr Siaw's tireless efforts to disrupt the status quo and create innovative solutions to some of the country’s most pressing social issues
The honour of citation was awarded as part of the organisation’s decade of partnering for change event sponsored by the BMW Foundation.
Reach for Change, headquartered in Sweden, is the first philanthropic organisation to invest in Hayford literacy initiatives in 2012.
Mr Siaw has been leading a national effort to establish a comprehensive network of public libraries throughout the country.
His vision has been to provide access to quality education, promote lifelong learning and foster a culture of reading and intellectual curiosity among Ghana's youth.
Through his leadership, the GhLA has been able to increase literacy rates, improve academic performance and empower marginalised communities by providing them with the resources they need to succeed.
In 2021, the GhLA was declared Library of the Year by the London International Book Fair Excellence Awards, beating stiff competition from Kenya and Croatia in the finale.
In the same year, the United Nations adjudged his team as one of the most innovative public agencies in the world promoting inclusive technology education.
In addition to his work with the authority, Mr Siaw has also been actively involved in fostering partnerships and collaboration within the social entrepreneurship ecosystem.
He has worked with organisations such as Reach for Change, European Union and the Global Fund for Children to provide mentorship, training and support to aspiring change-makers in the country.
He also serves on the board of several non-profit organisations and has been instrumental in building a robust network of social entrepreneurs who are driving positive change in their communities
Mr Siaw's efforts are aligned with the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) One, 10 and 13, which are focused on eradicating poverty, reducing inequality and mitigating the impact of climate change, respectively.
Mr Siaw is promoting education, literacy and lifelong learning, as his contribution to SDG One by empowering individuals and communities to break the cycle of poverty.
The recognition by Reach for Change is a testament to Mr Siaw's dedication and commitment to advancing social change in the country.
