In December 2017, at the age of 32, the Government of Ghana appointed Hayford Siaw, a distinguished social entrepreneur, Ford Motors Fellow of 92Y, Reach for Change change leader, and Queen Elizabeth II’s 15th Commonwealth Point of Light to spearhead the revival of the then-struggling Ghana Library Authority (GhLA).
Seven years on, he exits the role, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of transformation and international acclaim.
Under Siaw’s dynamic leadership, Ghana witnessed what is arguably the fastest and most impactful transformation of a public library system in Africa.
His visionary reforms turned the GhLA into a globally recognised model of innovation in public sector delivery, earning international invitations to share Ghana’s success story across prestigious platforms.
Central to his accomplishments was the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategic framework anchored on seven core pillars: Institutional Strengthening, Technology Adoption, Expansion of Public Library Footprint, Retooling, Modernisation, and Infrastructure Enhancement, Capacity Building, Book Stock Improvement and Resource Mobilisation.
Institutional Strengthening
Mr. Siaw championed a new organisational identity for the GhLA, making it an attractive destination for top talent. He led the development of a new Scheme of Service, catalyzing a complete institutional overhaul. This initiative introduced new departments—Procurement, Corporate Affairs, Estate Management, Research, Monitoring & Evaluation, Human Resources, and Acquisition—and paved the way for the recruitment of over 200 professionals over seven years. Promotion delays—some spanning eight years—were entirely resolved, establishing a performance-driven, professional culture.
Technological Innovation
GhLA became a trailblazer in the adoption of technology for public library service delivery. It was the first in West Africa to develop a proprietary digital library platform, accessible via the Ghana Library App on Android and iOS. Strategic partnerships amplified this digital footprint:
The Internet Society supported digital literacy through the “Digital Learning @ Ghana Public Libraries” initiative.
UNICEF collaborated on Youth Engagement Centres (YECs), offering digital skills training to young people.
The Commonwealth of Learning’s Read2Skill initiative empowered over 50,000 Ghanaians to earn microcredentials via Coursera and Udemy.
Through Vodafone’s support, device and connectivity deployment brought modern learning tools to public libraries.
The ISBN acquisition process was fully digitised under his direction, eliminating cumbersome manual systems.
These innovations earned Ghana the United Nations Public Service Award in 2021, recognizing GhLA as one of the world’s ten most innovative public institutions. The same year, the London Book Fair International Excellence Awards named Ghana’s Library Authority “Library of the Year,” beating competitors from Kenya and Croatia.
Library Footprint and Retooling
Under his tenure, GhLA’s network expanded from 61 to 137 libraries. He revived the defunct mobile library service, placing 10 refurbished mobile libraries back on the road and securing an additional one through SSNIT. Twenty pick-up vehicles were also acquired to support operations. Regional libraries were retooled, representing the largest logistical transformation in the Authority’s history.
Book Stock and Infrastructure
Mr. Siaw mobilized almost 2 million books, adding to the less than 500,000 he inherited in 2017. Infrastructure improvements were widespread, enabled through collaborations with Book Aid International and UNICEF, which also supported the establishment of Children’s Corners and Youth Engagement Centres across the country.
Capacity Building and Corporate Partnerships
Intentional investments in staff development—both locally and internationally—empowered personnel and fueled institutional growth. A reinvigorated GhLA brand attracted long-term corporate partnerships. Major firms such as MTN Ghana, Telecel, Newmont, and Ghana Gas partnered with GhLA to extend digital access and library services nationwide.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on his next steps, Hayford Siaw shared: “Africa’s progress depends on strong public sector institutions. I will be dedicating the next phase of my professional journey to providing technical support to public institutions across the continent, in partnership with development agencies committed to Africa’s transformation.”
As Hayford Siaw bows out of the Ghana Library Authority, he leaves behind an enduring legacy of innovation, institutional renewal, and service to knowledge.
His tenure stands as a beacon of what visionary leadership can achieve in public service.
