By Benard Worlali Awumee
Dzelukofe-Keta, (V/R), Jan. 9, GNA-The people of Dzelukofe in the Keta Municipality have cut the sod to commence work on a long-awaited ultra-modern community library and museum project.
The project is aimed at promoting education, research, and cultural preservation in the Anlo State.
The sod-cutting ceremony, held on Wednesday, took place at the project site behind the Keta Senior High Technical School, or adjacent to the Keta Beach Hotel.
Present at the ceremony was the 11-member Project Management Board, inaugurated in February 2024, and co-chaired by Togbi Joachim-Acolatse V and Togbi Dzelu IV.
The board is made up of selected senior citizens, traditional rulers, local authority representatives, and other knowledgeable members of the community.
The Community Library and Museum have been duly registered as a Limited by Guarantee (LBG) under the Registration of Business Names Act with the Office of the Registrar of Companies, giving the project a formal legal backing.
The initiative was conceived during the 2023 Mini Hogbetsotso Durbar held at Dzelukofe, where opinion leaders and stakeholders proposed the establishment of a modern library and museum to serve not only the community but the entire Anlo State.
Explaining the delay in the commencement of the project, Mr Siegfried Sedziafa, Board Secretary, indicated that it was largely due to challenges in acquiring suitable land.
A 0.372-acre parcel of land (78 feet by 192 feet) has now been successfully secured for the project at the current location.
The state-of-the-art facility, when completed, is expected to house a comprehensive collection of literary resources and archival materials, carefully curated to showcase the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Anlo people.
The modern architectural design incorporates advanced lighting and climate control systems to ensure the preservation of rare artefacts and documents.
Users of the facility will have access to digital resources, online databases, and digitised special collections, alongside well-designed study areas to support research and academic work.
The project will also feature exhibition halls, conference facilities, reading rooms, administrative offices, and a cafeteria, making it a multifunctional centre for scholars, researchers, tourists, and the public.
As of 2023, the project was estimated to cost GHS5 million while contributions from individuals have so far amounted to about GHS45,900, while the board is currently appealing for some additional GHS1 million to support the initial phase of construction.
Mr. Ibrahim Mahama, The Chief Executive Officer of Engineers and Planners, who was present at the project’s announcement in 2023, pledged 5,000 bags of cement and GH¢100,000 as seed support.
The Board disclosed that he has since been officially informed of the project’s readiness to commence.
The sod-cutting ceremony was performed by a high-powered delegation led by the Awoamefia Togbi Sri III, Overlord of Anlo State, with Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and Mr. James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister.
Other dignitaries present included Mr. Mawutor Agbavitor, NDC Volta Regional Chairman; Mr. Zikpitor Dan Abodakpi; Mr. Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpe and Mr. Richard Kwame Sefe, Members of Parliament for the Keta and Anloga Constituencies respectively; Mr Wisdom Seade, Keta Municipal Chief Executive and Togbi Agbesi Awusu, Awadada of Anlo State, as well as several traditional leaders and community delegations.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Togbi Dzelu V, Co-chairman of the Management Board, expressed excitement about the commencement of the project.
“We are extremely excited that this long-awaited project is finally taking off. We have already received 500 bags of cement from Mr. Ibrahim Mahama to enable us to begin work, and we are appealing to the Dzelukofe-Keta community and the entire Anlo State to support this noble initiative,” he said.
Togbi Joachim-Acolatse V, Co-Chairman of the Board, apologised to the public for the delay and assured the traditional council and the people of Anlo of the project’s impact.
“We sincerely apologise for the delay since 2023, but we want to assure everyone that this project will be one of its kind in the Volta Region. It will not only promote education but also significantly boost cultural tourism in Anlo,” Togbi stated.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Linda Asante Agyei