George Padmore Library Re-Opened

George Padmore Library, was yesterday re-opened to the general public after the management of the library, settled the Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty-Four, Eighty -Two Pesewas, property rate arrears owed the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA). When The Herald visited the library yesterday, one of the officers, who spoke to the newspaper, confirmed that the library was opened for the work. He disclosed that when the city authorities stormed the library last Monday, they pleaded with them to exercise patience, because the accountant had gone to pay the arrears, but the AMA officers would not take the explanation, and went ahead to lock the facility. The Herald on Wednesday, revealed how on Monday, the AMA was offering the state property meant for learning for sale. The library was also closed ahead of the intended sale. But following The Herald�s publication, the library was opened, yesterday for academic work. The closure, left many asking what the AMA was doing in other parts of the city. According to them, the AMA has overlooked the collection of property rate in plush area and commercial properties, including hotels, malls, shops, and companies in areas such as, East Legon, Airport Residential Area, Dzorwulu, Abelemkpe, Roman Ridge and North Ridge, Cantonments, Haatso and many other places. For this reason, the city authorities, have gone ahead to shutdown one of Ghana�s public libraries noted for research into Pan-Africanism in Accra and Africa. The facility is located near the Ridge Church School, not far from the Parliament House. The library, which was named after one of the illustrious African-Americans, George Padmore, who was in the forefront of the struggle for African liberation and Pan-Africanism in the sixties, is gradually collapsing under the watchful eye of the Ministry of Education. The AMA notice pasted read, �Final Warning Notice�. It warned that �in spite of my many previous warning to you, it appears from our records that an amount of GH�1254.82 is still owed by you in respect of House no. OSk 01017003 on the 2014 year(s) of assessment�. The notice further asked occupants of the facility �to take notice that if the arrears are not paid on or before 24th day of Oct 2014, the metro Assembly may apply to the Court for an order for sale of the premises by way of motion for the purpose defraying the amount of rate due, pursuant to Section 104 and 106 of the Local Government Act 1993(Act 482) without any further reference to you�. The notice was copied to the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), metro Co-coordinating Director, the Director of Budget and metro Solicitor. But questions were raised as to how many private properties have been served such notices in the Accra Metropolis by the AMA for failure to pay their property rates. There are claims that a tall list of very influential personalities with deep pockets and political connections are interested in the purchase of the respected and world acclaimed library.