The abandoned Bono Regional Library project in Sunyani stands today as a stark reminder of the country’s struggle with uncompleted public infrastructure.
Like the numerous uncompleted infrastructure projects dotted around the nook and cranny of the country, what was envisioned more than two decades ago as a multi-purpose academic, research, and learning hub has instead become a breeding ground for weeds, reptiles, and despair.
This multi-million-dollar project, launched with high hopes, was designed to provide offices and apartments alongside a state-of-the-art library. Today, only a roof and a few makeshift offices stand.
The rest of the structure is exposed to the weather, decaying with every passing season. Sadly, books procured years ago to stock the facility now gather dust.
While for the thousands of schoolchildren, students, and researchers in the Bono Region, the dream of a modern public library remains painfully elusive. It is shocking that four separate contractors, having received mobilisation funds, abandoned the project without consequence.
Audit reports as far back as 2021 recommended termination of the contract and recovery of monies paid, yet these directives have not been enforced. This raises troubling questions about accountability, political will, and commitment to education.
The Bono Region, home to the illustrious Dr. K. A. Busia, deserves better. It is ironic that the birthplace of one of Africa’s foremost scholars cannot boast of a functioning regional library.
As an educationist in Sunyani observed, neglecting libraries is “literally criminal,” for it robs the younger generation of knowledge and inspiration.
Without a space to cultivate reading culture, students are left vulnerable to shortcuts and examination malpractices, undermining the very foundation of quality education.
The unfinished Sunyani library is not just an abandoned building; it is a betrayal of our collective responsibility to provide equitable education.
Ghana has committed to Sustainable Development Goal 4, which seeks inclusive, quality education and lifelong learning for all by 2030. Yet, the children of the Bono Region are losing out because of leadership inertia and poor project management.
We call on the political leadership, traditional authorities, and civil society in Bono to rally together and demand urgent completion of the project.
The Regional Minister’s assurance that the contract has been terminated and is to be re-awarded is welcome, but Ghanaians have heard such promises before.
What matters now is action, clear timelines, transparent procurement, and genuine commitment to finish what was started. The abandoned library should not become another white elephant in Ghana’s long list of failed projects.
Completing it will not only honour the legacy of thinkers like Busia but also equip the next generation with the tools to compete in a knowledge-driven world. The Bono Regional Library project must not die a slow death.
It must be revived and completed without further delay.
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