Fifty years of library education in Ghana and the challenges of restructuring

Abstract

The article provides a historical background to the establishment of library education programmes in Ghana, and traces the development of the curriculum and current programmes of the University of Ghana. It notes that the curriculum has undergone many changes over the years. The present curriculum for the education and training of professional librarians, however, does not adequately reflect current national needs and challenges facing the profession in Ghana. Though the curriculum has accommodated new content over the years, there has been no comprehensive review for nearly two decades; and its development in relevant areas has been restricted and distorted in order to conform to prevailing University regulations and course/examination structures. Some suggestions are made for the reviewing of the curriculum to meet identified national needs, and restructuring of the programme at an appropriate time when the University of Ghana is changing its course/examination structure from the academic year to the semester course credit system.