The government, through the Ministry for Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) has commenced work on the rehabilitation of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra.
A brief ceremony was held yesterday at the park to symbolise the official commencement of the work, though this reporter observed from the grounds that workers were already on site, working to beautify the park, which is currently in a sorry state.
The rehabilitation works follow the closure of the park some weeks ago by the MOTAC, to allow for a facelift to the monumental edifice, which houses the history of the country’s founding father.
For the next seven months, tourists will not be able to access the memorial park, as the place is barricaded to allow for the rehabilitation to go on smoothly.
The project is being supported by the World Bank Tourism Development Project at a cost of $3 million.
AFTER REHABILITATION
The sector minister, Ibrahim Awal Mohammed, speaking at the ceremony said the renovation of the Memorial Park will entail total rehabilitation of the Mausoleum and Museum, the building of a new presidential library, a new Training Center, a new Restaurant, a VVIP lounge, an Artistic Freedom Wall and a Music and Light Fountain.
According to the minister, “the general solemnity of the park will not be compromised,” adding that when completed, the park is expected to create over 50 additional direct jobs and many indirect jobs.”
He continued that, “The rehabilitated park will befit the status of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and also give befitting recognition to the country’s other founding fathers: Edward Akuffo-Addo, Arko Adjei, Obetsebi Lamptey, William Ofori-Atta and J.B Danquah.
“It will further concretise the Pan-African Triangular Centre, George Padmore Library, WEB Du Bois Centre for Pan-Africanism and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, thereby consolidating Ghana’s position as the foremost centre of Pan Africanism and Diasporan Research.”
In furtherance of this, he said his ministry would soon embark on the rehabilitation and modernisation of other tourism and heritage assets, including the Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, Mole Park, Shai Hills and Kakum Park, to enhance and make them appealing to tourists.
IMPORTANCE
The Minister remarked that all these developments in the sector would help boost tourism, both domestic and international. He was sure the development would also improve Ghana’s rating as an investment and trade destination.
POTENTIAL
Alhaji Awal told the gathering that tourism has the potential to contribute significantly to national development and job creation.
He thus assured citizens and the international community that the rehabilitation and modernisation of the park would be done at the speed of light to be reopened in March 2023 to coincide with the country’s independence anniversary.
RETURNS
The Minister stated that with the easing of the COVID-19 restrictions and the resumption of international travel, the ministry anticipates about one million international arrivals this year, with a tourism receipt of over two billion United States dollars.
Due to that, the minister opined that the ministry would need to enhance its customer care orientation. He cited that a delighted tourist, whether local or foreign, would not only visit again, but would also encourage others to visit.
He had said earlier that before the COVID-19Â pandemic struck in 2020, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park alone was registering an average of 98,000 visitors annually.
WORLD BANK
The World Bank’s Country Director, Mr. Pierre Laporte, said the firm agrees with and supports the government’s strategy to invest in tourism because it “has immense potential to bring benefit to Ghana and its people.”
He was delighted to be at the memorial park, and the bank was proud to partner with Ghana on its tourism development projects.
INFORMATION MINISTER
Minister for Information, Kwadwo Oppong Nkrumah, described the rehabilitation as immensely important and said the entire nation should hear about it. He announced that the government is deliberately embarking on an exercise to improve tourism infrastructure across the country.
This programme to develop these sites, he added, is aimed at achieving a specific purpose. He emphasised that tourism, being the third largest foreign exchange earner, has the potential to, when developed, assist the country’s socio-economic growth and produce jobs and wealth for the people.
Kojo told the contractors that the project is financed already, so their timeline should not be delayed, and urged managers of the facility when handed over to practice maintenance culture.
The Ofoase Ayirebi Legislator, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, told his colleagues in the media to develop programmes that will attract tourists to the country.
