Nandom-Bu, A community-focused initiative to promote reading and improve access to learning materials, has received a major boost at Nandom-Bu in the Upper West Region, following a book donation exercise held on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at Bu Primary School.
The project, known as “The Library Project,” was initiated by Ms Doris Dery, a Ghanaian native of Nandom-Bu based in Italy, who loves to read, with the aim of establishing a community library to serve children and residents of Nandom-Bu and its surrounding communities. The initiative seeks to make books accessible while creating a supportive environment for reading, learning, and intellectual development, particularly among school children.
The initiative began with Ms Doris Dery mobilising support from friends and acquaintances for book donations from homes, shops, and private libraries. Within a few months, the effort yielded over 500 books, comprising both used and new titles. To expand the reach of the project, book collection focal points were identified across the world, including Accra in Ghana, London in the United Kingdom and Rome in Italy.
Speaking at the presentation, Ms Doris Dery encouraged the children to learn a word each day by reading every day. She said they have no excuses as books have come closer to them and they must take advantage of the opportunity.
To receive the books were the Head Teacher, Madam Ernestima Aleser and staff of the school in the Bu community. They took stock and stored the books in the Kindergarten (KG) block, which has been identified as a temporary storage and borrowing point. This will enable pupils and teachers to borrow books conveniently while plans are underway for a permanent library structure in the future.
A resident senior staff of Nandom Ghana Education Service office, Mr Albanu Dery, who volunteered to be a liaison person, was instrumental in coordinating all activities related to the initiative and has pledged his support to make the project a success.
Speaking at the donation ceremony, the School Improvement Support Officer (SISO), Mr John Baptist Gyel-ir, expressed profound appreciation to Ms Doris Dery and her team for the kind gesture. He noted that the availability of reading materials would support teaching and learning and encourage students to take their studies more seriously.
In his closing remarks, Mr Belitaar Kenneth, Headteacher of Bu Junior High School, pledged that the donated books would be put to good use. He also thanked Ms Doris Dery for choosing Bu Primary and Bu Junior High School as beneficiaries of the support.
The Library Project is widely seen as a timely intervention that complements ongoing efforts to improve literacy and educational outcomes in rural communities. Stakeholders are hopeful that, with sustained support, the initiative will evolve into a fully established community library serving future generations.
Email: doris_dd@yahoo.com
Contact: +39 329 840 8189
Mohammed Abdulai, Nandom
Upper West Region.
