New Library Updates
Korle Gonno Community Library, Accra
Architectural drawings by Roger Amenyogbe
OCLF’s newest project is situated on the compound of the Dr. Nanka Bruce cluster of schools in the community of Korle Gonno, Accra. The library will be built and managed by the Osu Library Fund [OLF], Ghana, in partnership with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly [AMA] and the Ghana Education Service. The AMA is freely releasing the land, paying staff salaries and utilities. Once built, the OLF will supply all the furniture and books for the new facility.
Roger Amenyogbe, Architect: “The new library and theatre was developed in the concept of JANUS, the god of beginning and transition. It has two equal facades – one that addresses the street and the other the school.
Schooling is a transition period in our lives where we expose ourselves to new challenges, and it serves as a great transition period in our lives. The library will be a gateway to the school compound. It embodies a new beginning whiles embracing and looking forward to the future. This structure will symbolize a reminder of where one comes from, a struggling community on one side, and on the other side an open sea with new challenges and a distant future to explore.” R.A.
Kojo Maclean (at right), Contractor/Quantity Surveyor & Victor Mensah, Supervising Architect: “Once again Kathy Knowles has initiated another library project which is under construction. Korle Gonno is a low income area in the Greater Accra region and next to Chorkor, a predominantly traditional fishing community with a very large population of young people. The new library could not have come at a better time. The library with other facilities like a computer lab and theatre will certainly change the lives of the youth in the area and produce more productive and responsible citizens for the community and the country as a whole. Well done Kathy, and a big thank you to all donors for such an august course.” K.M. and V.M.
 April 2012Roger Amenyogbe, Kojo Maclean and Kathy Knowles met to review the site. They decided on a three-storey library with each level servings its own purpose (young children, senior students/adults and a theatre). It will be located directly behind the wall and in front of the existing Nanka Bruce Junior High School. There is an uncompleted primary school to the right, and the ocean is within view. |
 December 12, 2012Excavation begins! |
 December 21, 2012Pit excavation starts. We are hoping that it doesn’t rain. |
 December 29, 2012Pouring concrete begins. |
 January 8, 2013Foundation with iron rods. Special attention is given to ensuring that the iron rods can give slightly in the case of an earthquake. This is necessary because Accra is within an earthquake prone zone and this building is three storeys high. |
 January 18, 2013Foundation block work is progressing. |
 February 14, 2013Block work continues. |
 February 18, 2013Main floor concrete is poured. |
 March 8, 2013Superstructure begins with supporting pillars. |
 March 15, 2013Superstructure continues. |
 April 1, 2013Reaching the second level. |
 April 22, 2013Concrete being hoisted to the second level. |
 April 29, 2013Back stairwell to upper level completed. |
 May 20, 2013Framework on second level progresses. Roger Amenyogbe from Vancouver, Canada visits the site with Kojo Maclean and makes small recommendations. The curved sections represent the storytime area on the lower level and the reference area on the second. |
 May 30, 2013Framework for second level is completed. Kathy Knowles will be visiting Ghana in June/July and will provide updated pictures following her return. |
| Photos courtesy of Kojo Maclean |