Brief Report By The Projects Department On The First Project Assessment Of The Ngleshie-Amanfro Community Library

The project team of IMDID Ghana embarked on a site visit to Ngleshie Amanfro Community Library on the 14^th January, 2023 to ascertain the state of the library that has been abandoned for about 25 years after its completion. The team identified this project as posted on Instagram by one Richard Kwesi Agodzo, a social media user. The project team was led by Mr. Gilbert Reinall Addo, and in the company of Mr. Frederick Elorm Asamani and Madam Catherine Saakwah Addo. The team arrived at the project site at 9:30 am. The team had the opportunity to meet with the sub-Chief of the area Nii Quashie Shiakye I who’s also the Assembly Member for that community where the library is situated. The other stakeholders in the area whose involvement would be paramount includes; The Traditional Council, Ghana Education Service, The District Assembly and the People.

The library was built in 1996 with the purpose of serving the community schools and the general public. It was inaugurated in 2003 by the then Education Minister, Hon. Kwadwo Baah Wiredu who at the time solicited for books for the library to be used by the community. Unfortunately, the library could not serve the purpose for which it was built and was left unused. In the year 2021, the community handed over the library into the care and supervision of the Ghana Education Service and managed by a representative of GES who comes to open during weekdays.

According to Nii Quashie Shiakye I, the plight of the library is mainly managerial and resource materials. He also reiterated that he wished the management of the facility was withdrawn from the GES and handed over to a well constituted management team with additional responsibility to assist in equipping the facility with the right materials for academic and research purposes. He mentioned that the project would have been a success if properly managed.

The team as part of our assessment, identified the following as things to consider for refurbishment;

Reconstruction of ceiling
Reconstruction of urinal for library users
Painting – both interior and exterior
Replacement of Doors and locks
Reassessment of electrical works
Provision of burglar proof
Fencing of the facility
Provision of water supply to the facility
Replacement of window nets

The project site would need further assessment by a professional building construction expert or company to take measurement for final decision making by management. Because the one in charge of management was not available on the day of the team’s visit, the Team was not able to access the interior to establish its condition. We assured the representative to return in a later day that would be communicated in order for the interior of the facility to be accessed and also hold a stakeholder consultation meeting.

A major strength of the facility is its prime location. The library is surrounded by the following schools; Ngleshie Amanfro No. 1 & 2 cluster of schools, Ngleshie Amanfro community 3 & 4 Primary and JHS, Amanfro Islamic Primary and JHS, St. Peters Anglican Primary School and Christ Evangelical Mission Schools. All the above-mentioned schools were to access the same facility for their academic works. The facility would be of a great importance to the pupil in order to enhance their academic works since none of those schools have a library facility in their establishment for academic works. The facility also shares the same compound with the Ghana Education Service Circuit Office who currently takes care of its management with oversight responsibility by the Sub-Chief.

The library would serve its main purpose if refurbished and properly managed by dedicated individuals.

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