The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has inaugurated the redeveloped Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park (KNMP), which had not been renovated since its establishment in 1992.
The redevelopment was initiated by the Akufo-Addo administration at a cost of GH¢30 million and renovated in a year since the commencement of work in July 2022.
President Akufo-Addo, in his address at the commissioning on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, bemoaned the lack of renovation of the park, which led to its deterioration.
He added that it was “for this reason, that I instructed the Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, to close it down temporarily for renovation to be undertaken.”
He observed with gratitude that the Park was now befitting of the status of the resting place of the first President of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
President Akufo-Addo further remarked that, as the outstanding Pan-Africanist of his generation, the burial site of Dr. Nkrumah must be appropriate to his status and exceptional contribution to the liberation of Africa from colonialism and imperialism.
He remarked that the modernisation was in line with plans by the government to make the Park one of the best tourism and heritage attractions in West Africa.
According to him, the Park, which attracted some 90,000 annual visitors, was now expected to increase to one million, and charged the sector Minister to work toward achieving the target.
DETAILS
The redevelopment and modernisation of the Park has introduced an architecturally picturesque reception centre, which houses a host of offices, a modern library, an eatery, a gift shop, an infirmary, and conference facilities that are digitally controlled.
The Park also introduces an audio-visually synchronized fountain, which immerses it at night in a variety of colorful lights.
There is also a mini-amphitheatre for lectures and performances for small groups, as well as a picnic area for the youth.
The museum has not only been expanded, but been aesthetically fitted with digital audio-visuals that chronicle the life of the first President of Ghana.
REVENUE
The Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, indicated that the Park is expected to generate some US$3.2 million this year.
He gave the assurance that his ministry would find innovative means to provide financial support for the five million tourist ambitions set by the government.
The daughter of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Samia Nkrumah, who represented the family, said she was proud of Ghana and its people for coming together to honour “one of our own.”
She commended President Akufo-Addo in particular for renovating and modernising the facility, “so thank you for the support.”
According to her, the KNMP, beyond the material gains, was a “place where we draw inspiration and strength to carry forward and accomplish the unaccomplished mission of our independence. For us, we gain spiritual strength from visiting this place.”
The Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, thanked the President for his leadership, and indicated that the Osu Castle and the Du-Bois Centre would be modernised next year to attract more tourists.
The World Bank Country Director, Mr. Pierre La Porte, expressed happiness on the part of the Bank to have contributed to the project.
ABOUT THE KNMP
The Park used to be a polo grounds for the British and other European nationals during colonial days. On the eve of Ghana’s Independence in 1957, Dr. Nkrumah chose the same polo grounds as the venue for the independence declaration.
Presently, it is the third burial place for Dr. Nkrumah since his death on April 27, 1972, in Bucharest, Romania. He had early on been buried in Conakry, Guinea, and at Nkroful, in the Western Region of Ghana.
The KNMP occupies an area of 5.4 acres and has a personal museum dedicated to Dr. Nkrumah and an imposing Mausoleum where his mortal remains and those of his beloved wife, Fathia, are interred.
