Demonstrators ‘mad’ at NDC gurus for failing to re-open Atta Mills library

Contrary to earlier reports that,t he 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.

Reports indicates that, 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.

On that note, youths of the National Democratic Congress has hit the street calling for the re-opening of the Atta Mills Presidential Memorial Library in Cape Coast on Monday hooted at some leading members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for failing to ensure the library is re-opened for use.

The NDC guru’s led by the management committee of the library visited the library to inspect facilities.

They were in Cape Coast as part of the sixth memorial lecture for the late President J.E.A. Mills and used the opportunity to visit and inspect facilities at the library.

The Cape Coast Youth Development Association had earlier said the intended sixth-anniversary celebration of the late Prof Mills will be needless with the library closed.

‘’We don’t see the reason why the 6th anniversary will be celebrated when a memorial library constructed in his honour has been locked since its construction,’’ the group said in a statement.

On Monday, when they heard NDC gurus, the party on whose ticket Prof Mills was elected President in 2008 were in town, they gathered themselves and carried miniature Ghana flags to line up the streets leading to the library.

When the NDC gurus arrived at the place, they hooted at the convoy as they drove out of the library.

The Cape Coast Youth Development Association had called for the re-opening of the John Evans Atta Mills Presidential Library in Cape Coast ahead of a lecture to commemorate the passing of the late president at the University of Cape Coast.

Some of the demonstrators said it was unfortunate that such a facility was being allowed to rot and called for prompt action and accountability on the part of the committee to ensure the facility is promptly opened for use.

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 multi-media 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 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.