President Akufo-Addo Commissions Redeveloped Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park

The President of the 4th Republic of Ghana, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says the redeveloped Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park will attract some one million domestic and international tourists.

President Akufo-Addo assured of his government’s commitment to continue to invest in the tourism sector to help revive the economy.

President Akufo-Addo made this assurance during the commissioning of the redeveloped Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra.

 

 

 

He charged the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and its agencies to devise effective strategies to promote the Park.

 

 

 

 

 

“He’s the outstanding pan-Africanist of this generation. The burial site of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah must be appropriate to a status of exceptional contribution to the liberation of Africa, from colonialism and imperialism. Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park which attracted some 90,000 annually before the renovation, is now expected to attract over one million tourists annually. I’m charging the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and its agencies to devise effective marketing and promotional strategies, to achieve the target of 1 million domestic and international tourist visitations to the Park”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

He disclosed that his government is building museums and tourist attractions in parts of the country.

 

 

“As part of measures to make Ghana the hub of tourism in West Africa, we are building museums and other tourist attractions in various parts of the country. Construction of museums and heroes park for the big six, a memorial park in Cape Coast for the Aborigines, a memorial enclave in Tamale for the founders of the erstwhile Northern People’s Party to symbolise their participation in the drive for national independence and the completion of the ongoing works at the Bonwire museum and Yaa Asantewaa museum, both in Ejisu are in the offing,” President Akufo-Addo.

 

 

 

The family of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah expressed appreciation to government for the redevelopment of the Memorial Park.

 

 

 

 

The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park houses the remains of Ghana’s first President and his wife, Fathia Nkrumah.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking at the commissioning of the Park, daughter of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Samia Nkrumah says government through President Akufo-Addo consulted the family before the redevelopment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the project 

The project, which cost approximately $3.5 million, aims to honour the legacy of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

 

The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park holds immense historical significance in Ghana, serving as a monument dedicated to Dr Nkrumah and the final resting place for him and his wife, Fathia Nkrumah.

 

The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park is located on the former British colonial Polo Grounds in Accra, the same place where Dr Nkrumah declared Ghana’s independence in 1957. It was constructed in 1990 by the late Head of State, Jerry John Rawlings, as a tribute to Ghana’s first President and as a means of preserving the nation’s heritage. The park was officially opened to the public in 1992.

 

Over the years, the park has attracted visitors from around the world, with an annual count of approximately 98,000 people. It serves as a place where visitors can pay homage to Ghana’s first President and learn about his life and legacies. The park has become one of the top 10 most visited sites in Ghana.

 

However, despite its popularity, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park had not undergone any significant renovations or improvements in its 25 years of existence. At one point, the fountains, which are major attractions within the park, were not functioning properly or consistently, leading to a decline in visitations.

Moreover, the roof of the museum leaked each time it rained making it difficult to conduct visitors around.

 

The situation was not different at the VIP lounge where most VIP guests of the State signed the visitors’ books after their tour. Additionally, the main corridor to the washrooms and some parts of the washrooms were in a deplorable state.

 

 

Redevelopment of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park which costs about 3.5 million U.S Dollars includes:

1. Receptive Facility: This facility now houses a presidential library, providing visitors with access to an extensive collection of historical materials and documents related to Dr Nkrumah’s life and legacy.
2. A gift shop: Where visitors can find unique memorabilia
3. A restaurant: Offering diverse culinary experience.
4. Toilet facilities: To ensure convenience and comfort of visitors.
5. Upgraded Car Park: To cater to the increasing number of visitors a car park the car park has been improved with increased capacity, allowing for smoother and more organized parking arrangements.
6. Upgraded Road and Drainage Network: The redevelopment also focused on improving the surrounding infrastructure. The road within the Park has been upgraded to provide a smoother and safer journey for visitors.
7. New and efficient drainage network: To mitigate any potential issues during the rainy season.
8. Audio-Visual Fountain: One of the highlights of the redevelopment is the transformation of the existing fountain into an audio-visual spectacle. The upgraded fountain now incorporates captivating visuals and synchronized music, creating a mesmerizing experience for all who visit.
9. Museum Expansion: The museum at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park has undergone a significant expansion. With increased gallery space and state-of-the-art audio-visual capabilities, the museum offers an immersive and educational.
10. Other additional features include digitalized ticketing system.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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