Initiated in December 2003 by the past Kuffour Administration, work on the new Volta Regional Library Complex in Ho which is suppose to replace the old structure from the borrowed Bankoe E.P basic school compound is in a standstill about eight now.

Eight years down the line the magnificent library complex may be described as a white elephant, whilst patrons of the old library at the Bankoe E.P compound always had to endure with the heavy stench emanating from a near-by public toilet behind the hall. There by making reading and learning very difficult everyday whenever the sun shines heavily.

The project expected to be completed in 2005, was then aimed at a cost of old Cedis 13, 357, 696, 471.00 ( GHC 1, 335, 769.65) but due to the delays in execution, the amount needed now to complete the project had shot up to GHC 4, 236, 683.64 in 2012 because off increasing market price hikes of building materials. So far an estimated GHC 1, 018, 954.91 has been spent on the project. Mr. Alikem Tamakloe, the Volta Regional Librarian, told The New Ghanaian Voice that the incomplete complex and the increasing number of patronage of the library by the public has made works in the old offices very difficult due to lack of enough space and store rooms.

He said though work on the entire edifice is about 70 percent complete, works on the administration block is partly or nearing completion so that the administrative office will move in but did not mention how soon.

He therefore called on the appropriate authorities and NGO’s to come to their aid in other to complete the Library complex.

When completed, the new complex is expected to be multipurpose because it comes with various departments including administration block, two children’s departments with computers and two adult’s areas comprising a lending, reference and browsing area.

There shall also be lecture and exhibition rooms, rare collection section, and a basement which will also serve as a conference room and a multipurpose hall.

By: Murtala Mohammed Bako, VR

Email: murtalabako1995@yahoo.com

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