Group protests closure of Prez Atta Mills library

A group calling itself the Cape Coast Development Association has threatened to disrupt the seventh-anniversary celebration of the demise of President John Evans Atta Mills in Cape Coast if the library built in his memory was not opened for use.

According to the group, they would prevent the celebration of the anniversary should the committee members who saw to the building of the edifice and the government continue to keep quiet over the issue.

The Spokesperson for the group, Mr Alfred Hackson, at a news conference in Cape Coast yesterday, explained that fishermen who hitherto occupied the place were angry and wanted urgent action taken on the matter.

He said they wanted the Atta Mills Presidential Library operationalised before the anniversary of the deceased President next month.

Background

The John Evans Atta Mills Presidential Library, a memorial and research facility in Cape Coast, has been closed down for lack of funds to run it.

The University of Cape Coast (UCC), which is responsible for the administration of the library, has not been able to pay the water and electricity bills of the facility.

To make matters worse, the contractor who worked on the project is said to have locked up the place and taken the keys away, denying the university access to the two-storey building situated opposite the Cape Coast Castle.

Due to its proximity to the sea, portions of the facility have started decaying.

The library

President John Dramani Mahama inaugurated the library on July 24, 2016, to coincide with the anniversary of the death of President Mills.

The library has a 100-capacity auditorium, 45-seater multimedia centre, seminar rooms and a museum that holds historical materials that reflect the life and works of the late President.

The edifice also has a virtual sound room that echoes the voice of Prof. Mills in his memorable speeches and images that bring to life his sojourn as a celebrated academic, keen sportsman, humble politician, devout Christian, servant leader, President and a peace-loving Ghanaian.

Although not a typical book library, the facility will preserve and make available the papers, records, collections and historical materials of President Mills and other prominent African intellectuals and political leaders.

Management

The facility was expected to be managed by the UCC and its research events coordinated by the university's Faculty of Arts, with support from the Directorate of Research Innovation and Consultancy of the UCC.