Almost a decade after it was abandoned and left to rot, the John Evans Atta Mills Presidential Library, will soon be made functional.

The facility, which was inaugurated in July 2016 by then-President John Dramani Mahama, was envisioned as a beacon of research, education and tourism in honour of the late President John Evans Atta Mills.

It features a 100-seat auditorium, a 45-seat multimedia centre, seminar rooms, a museum and a virtual sound room designed to echo Prof. Mills’s speeches, preserving his legacy as an academic and statesman.

Strategically located in Cape Coast and boasting a striking architectural design, the library was intended to serve as a cultural and intellectual landmark of national significance.

Stalemate

However, shortly after the fanfare that greeted it, the facility became entangled in a controversy that stalled its operations.

The contractor responsible for the project reportedly refused to hand over the keys to the government, citing non-payment for work done.

This impasse prevented the planned transfer of the facility to the University of Cape Coast for management and use.

With no clear operational structure in place, the building was left abandoned and fell into disrepair.

Over the years, the structure suffered extensive damage due to neglect and the harsh coastal environment.

Broken windows, rusted metal fittings, corroded air conditioners and peeling paint became visible signs of decay.

The library, once hailed as a national monument to scholarship and statesmanship, became a symbol of governmental inaction.

Civil society groups and residents repeatedly appealed for the facility to be restored, but successive administrations failed to take action.

Revival, significance

But, the Metropolitan Chief Executive of Cape Coast, George Justice Arthur, speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic, said efforts were now underway to resolve all issues related to the facility’s ownership and management.

“We are actively engaging all relevant stakeholders to address the encumbrances surrounding the library’s closure.

It is time we restored this national asset to its intended glory,” he stated.

The MCE expressed optimism that with collective commitment, the Atta Mills Library, could soon fulfil its original purpose as a centre for research, history, and tourism.

Mr Arthur said the Central Region, particularly Cape Coast, had long been regarded as the citadel of formal education in the country, with its academic legacy tracing back to the colonial era.

He explained that reviving the Atta Mills Presidential Library would further consolidate this historical role by providing a modern hub of research, academic engagement and educational tourism.

He further stated that the facility had the potential to complement existing institutions in the region and serve as a national resource centre that promoted learning, preserves history and inspires future generations.