Open Atta Mills library or we demonstrate - Group

Members of the Cape Coast Youth Development Association (CCYDA) have asked the current government to operationalise the John Evans Atta Mills Memorial Library located in the Central Regional Capital, Cape Coast.

The Library was built by the John Mahama administration in honour of the late former President of Ghana, John Evans Atta Mills. But has not been operationalised since the New Patriotic Party (NPP) took over the governance of the country.

The group, in a statement signed by its Deputy Chairman, Kwabina Spio-Garbra, Friday June 22 said : “We the members, of the Cape Coast Youth Development Association, a nonpartisan association, that sees to the development of Cape Coast youth, are calling on the government and local authorities to ensure that, the Atta Mills Memorial Library is opened to the public before celebration of the 6th anniversary of the former President is commemorated or we demonstrate.

“We don't see the reason why a 6th anniversary will be celebrated, when a memorial library constructed in his honour has been locked since its construction. This action has become necessary since both the NDC government and NPP government have all refused to take bold steps to ensure the library is reopened.

“Very soon, Ogua Fetu Afahye will be celebrated and this will bring lots of tourists to Cape Coast who after visiting the castle will like to pass by the library which is just opposite the Castle, we are therefore calling on Authorities to open the Library before Oguaa Afahye is celebrated else we will demonstrate.

“We can't sit idle and watch this beautiful edifice go to waste especially as it is situated closer to the sea. Great fisher folks before the construction use to mend their nets at the place, before they agreed to move away because they taught the place was going to be used for a profitable venture which can equally benefit the development of Cape Coast as a whole, but what do we see now? A white elephant.

“We are calling on government to as a matter of urgency open the edifice else we will demonstrate. Last year, the library was opened, and just after the celebration of the anniversary it was closed again, seriously they are taking the people of Cape Coast for granted. Therefore as a sign of seriousness we want the place opened by the end of the month. We should remember that the man was a president of this great nation, and we see it as a disgrace to the nation therefore we want the place opened, to redeem the name of "asomdwe hene" late president John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills.”