Let's value and appreciate the importance of  poetry -GLA 

The Volta and Oti Regional Director, Ghana Library Authority (GLA), Mr. Guy Amarteifio, has called on all Ghanaians to rise up to the task of putting and support the country's poet and poetry to develop the nation.

 He said poetry is a powerful tool that could bring positive changes in the lives of individuals and society at large as it helped open doors for a rich network of contacts to enable the country to develop more in its diverse culture.

Mr. Amarteifio was speaking with the press as the world marked international poetry day.

This year's program was organized by the Ghana Library Authority in collaboration with the Geothe Institute Ghana and Ehalakasa Community to mark this year’s World Poetry Day.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted March 21, as a World Poetry Day to support linguistic diversity through poetic expression and engender languages the opportunity to be heard within their communities.

Mr. Amarteifio said the celebration was also aimed to whip up interest in the students concerning poetry and to make them know and cherish the value of poetry so they could appreciate it.

Mr. Amarteifio further lamented on the fact that many people do not value the need to develop an interest in poetry forgetting that, “poetry can improve this nation in many diverse ways because, our way of life, the food we eat, funerals, festivals are portrayed by a lot of poetry activities.”

He also said, if more attention can be paid to the poet, it will help the nation to grow.

He also indicated that it is needful to make sure that, much value is placed on poets and parents must not discourage their children when they show interest in poetry.

Mr. Amarteifio was hopeful that the government would continue to put more effective measures in place to enable students to develop an interest in poetry to help revive the spirit of students and the Region as a whole.

 He urged students to develop an interest in poetry since it is part and parcel of their everyday lives.

He also charged parents to support their wards to develop an interest in poetry since it gives them more confidence, makes them very smart and active.

Mr. Amarteifio said, he is planning with his team in the Oti region to develop the skills in poetry.

 According to Mr. Amarteifio, every school must make it a point to value poetry as other subjects since it is part of their everyday lives.

 Solomon  Ahiable, Volta region