Dr. Michael Ato Essuman, a lecturer at the Department of Publishing Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has been appointed Chairperson of the Ghana Library Authority (GhLA) Board.

His appointment by the President of the Republic was officially confirmed during the board’s inauguration and first meeting held in Accra on June 25, 2025. Dr. Essuman will lead a multi-sectoral board tasked with providing strategic direction, policy oversight, and guidance for the country’s public library system.

The Ghana Library Authority, a state agency under the Ministry of Education, is mandated to promote literacy, lifelong learning, and access to information through a nationwide network of libraries. The new board is expected to support efforts to modernise library services and expand access, particularly through digital innovation and community engagement.

Dr. Essuman brings more than two decades of experience in education, publishing, and curriculum development to the role. At KNUST, he lectures in textbook development, educational publishing, and design, and serves as the Deputy College Examinations Officer at the College of Art and Built Environment. He also coordinates the department’s Student Industrial Internship Programme.

Commenting on the appointment, Dr. Essuman said: “It is an honour to contribute to Ghana’s literacy and learning agenda at a national level. Libraries remain critical to our educational ecosystem, and I look forward to working with colleagues to enhance their relevance and reach.”

In addition to his academic career, Dr. Essuman has led major textbook and curriculum reform projects for the Ministry of Education and is a recognised consultant in textbook policy and quality assurance.