GH¢1.3m Volta Regional library and research centre nears completion

Finishing touches are being put to the long- delayed Volta Regional Library which was started in 2003.

At about 1000 hours Tuesday when the GNA visited the site near the Volta Regional Health Directorate, some workers of Tallman Limited, the contractors, were laying tiles and fixing burglar proofs prior to painting the now attention-grabbing structure.

Mr Samuel Akpa, Foreman at the site, said work was 75 per cent complete and assured that the project would be handed over to the Ghana Library Board by the end of 2013

“We have all materials so we can assure you that if money is available to pay workers, we will complete and hand over by the end of this year,” he said.

Mr Elikem Tamakloe, Volta Regional Librarian, said the project was seven years behind schedule but was hopeful the facility would be opened to the public before 2014.

He said the improvised Regional Library could only accommodate about 60 people, comprising 20 children and 40 adults.

Mr Tamakloe said apart from the inadequate space, the facility’s nearness to a public toilet was a source of   great inconvenience to patrons and staff of the Board.

He said work began on the GH¢1,335,769.65 project in 2003 but moved at a “snail’s pace” due to financial constraints until the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) stepped in to ensure its completion.

When completed, the library in addition to reference and lending sections would have an extensive children’s block, an internet café, a conference room and a rare collection section including manuscripts which will be beneficial to researchers.

The new library is therefore expected to attract large patronage by researchers and students of the many basic, secondary and tertiary institutions springing up in the Ho Municipality.

Source: GNA