A group calling itself Concerned Citizens of Chiraa in the Sunyani West Municipality of the Bono Region has protested the community's decision to convert a public library into a fire station.

Their agitation followed a GH¢200,000 donation by Millicent Yeboah Amankwaa, the Sunyani West Member of Parliament (MP), to the community to establish a fire station.

A statement issued and signed by the conveners of the group and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani said, “We strongly register our protest against the decision of the MP to convert the existing public library into a fire service station.”

The conveners were Kwasi Korang, Mr Justice Ohene Korang, Miss Beatrice Ofosu, Mr George Adu Gyamfi, Nana Boakye Yiadom, Mr Da Costa Amoah, Mr Asante De-Bright, Ms Gloria Serwaa, and Ms Selina Pomaa, all natives of Chiraa.

It noted that the public library had long served as an essential centre for learning, research and intellectual development in the community.

The statement explained that “Converting this vital educational facility into a fire service station will deprive the youth of Chiraa of one of the few academic resources available to us.

The statement appreciated the importance of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and its crucial role in protecting lives and property, but however noted that, “we believe that development should not come at the expense of education.”

It said that both safety infrastructure and educational facilities were equally important and that one should not replace the other.

The statement registered the protest of the youth, saying, “The youth of Chiraa express deep indignation over the lack of adequate consultation with community members before making such a significant decision.

“This move undermines our educational advancement and disregards the future of the young generation.”

The statement therefore demanded an immediate halt to the conversion of the public library building, called for proper stakeholder engagement and community consultation, and identified an alternative site for the fire service station that “does not disrupt educational services”.

It also called on the government to invest in improving and expanding the existing library facilities, stressing that education was the foundation of progress.

“Removing the public library weakens the intellectual backbone of our community,” the statement indicated, and urged the appropriate authorities to reconsider the decision in the interest of the youth and the future of the Chiraa community.