Work begins on Atta Mills Memorial Research Library
The President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, has stressed the need for Africans to take their destiny into their own hands by highlighting their history and achievements to the outside world.
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That, he said, could be achieved through the setting up of research centres equipped with African success stories for tourists and other researchers to learn from.
He was speaking at a ceremony to lay the foundation stone for commencement of work on the Atta Mills Memorial Research Library in Cape Coast last Saturday.
It formed part of the first anniversary celebration of President Mills's death.
When completed, the edifice will have a museum with artifacts telling the life and work of the late President and a centre to host researchers who seek to research into issues of governance in Africa, peace and security, economic transformation in Africa and the diaspora.
It is being sponsored by the telecommunication industries in the country in honour and memory of Professor Atta Mills and will be affiliated to the University of Cape Coast (UCC).
The President stated that although President Mills was gone, his memory could not be forgotten and added that the edifice was to help preserve his unique and rare attributes, personality and contribution to the nation’s development.
“His humility, dignity, decency and civility cannot be forgotten,” he said, and further added that the research library also “pays tribute to the late President as an academic giant”.
President Mahama noted that research and knowledge formed the foundation of any developed economy, and that the memorial library was expected to provide an opportunity for research on development issues.
The library, he said, would also organise commemorative events and serve as an educational centre for schoolchildren on the life and work of the late President and added that he would not be forgotten because of his great sense of leadership.
In response to a complaint from the telecom industries about increased taxation, President Mahama stated that the government was ready to re-look at the taxes on telecommunication services if the companies worked to ensure indigenous participation in the industry.
He noted that after more than 17 years of continuous development in the telecommunications industry, it was time to allow for more indigenous participation.
Mr Kwame Pianim, Chairman of the Airtel Board, who spoke on behalf of the sponsors, said if the country was to achieve its goals and transform into a prosperous nation, Ghanaians must emulate the admirable attributes of the late President, and that his humility was evident even as President.
He urged the nation’s leaders to choose the path of peace and work to ensure that team Ghana succeeded and reached its potential.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Prof. Dominic Kuupole, noted that the library would be the first presidential library.
He appealed to friends, family and organisations that had textural materials, works of art, cultural and historical materials of the late president to offer them after completion of the library for effective research.
He pledged that the management of the UCC would work to educate the public and share the knowledge with the global society.
The Central Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Sarpong, said Prof. Mills was an intellectual giant of significance to the country and the world, God-fearing and honest.
He called on Ghanaians, especially the youth, to emulate his life.
The Omanhen of the Oguaa Traditional area, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta, pledged support for the project.
By Shirley Asiedu-Addo/Daily Graphic/Ghana