Most Community libraries in the Central Region have been totally shut down as there are no books to be learned or read by students in the Community.
A visit by EIB Network Central Regional Correspondent Yaw Boagyan to most of the Libraries in most Districts in the Central Region revealed most of the Libraries have been locked up for several years.
Some of the community libraries have been converted to an Information service center where information is disseminated to the community. Some have been demolished due to how weak the structure was.
When the reporter visited Breman Benin in the Asikuma Odobeng Brakwa District, the Community library which was built by the late President JJ Rawlings has been converted into a Cocoa Shed and it’s in a deplorable state too.
At Breman Brakwa, the library facility has been locked for several years.
In Enyan Abaasa in the Ajumako Enyan Essiam District, the Community library has been turned into a place of convenience where residents attend to nature’s call.
At Breman Essiam, a new Library sponsored and renovated by Coastal Development Authority in 2021 has no single book.
Visiting some of the Community libraries in the Ekumfi District, Mfantseman District, Ajumako Enyan#2 Essiam District, Assin South, North and Central, Gomoa West District, Abura Asebu Kwamankese District, Mfantseman Municipality, Twifu Attimokwa District and almost all the District in the Central Region, community libraries are on the verge of collapsing.
Meanwhile, the Central Region’s, biggest Community library – the Professor John Evans Atta Mills Library situated in Cape Coast has not been operational for the past six years allegedly due to financial constraints.
The Library which was Commissioned on July 24, 2016, has a 100-capacity auditorium, a 45-seater multi-media center, Seminar Hall, and other auditoriums.
Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom Community Library at Elmina is in use but the facility is underutilized.
All efforts to get the Central Regional Liberian Mr. Horold Appiah Kubi to speak to the state of Community libraries in the Central Region proved futile.
Meanwhile, President Nana Akuffo Addo in 2018 appointed Mr. Siaw Hayford as the Chief Executive Officer for the Ghana Library Authority to manage the affairs of Libraries in the Country.
It is clear no attention has been given to most Libraries in the Central Region.
Residents are therefore calling on the government to re-structure the libraries to serve their intended purpose.
By: Yaw Boagyan
