President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo yesterday officially opened the newly refurbished Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, paying homage to Ghana’s first President, Osageyofo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
The President expressed his deep respect and admiration for Nkrumah’s unwavering commitment to Ghana’s sovereignty and African unity. He noted that the Park had not only been renovated, but it had also been completely modernised to befitting status.
“The Park now has facilities including a presidential library, receptive facility, mini-amphitheater, restaurant, freedom wall, and a digitalised payment and access system. The mausoleum has also been fully refurbished, with the tombstone upgraded, and the museum expanded with an audiovisual tunnel,” he stated.
President Akufo-Addo said there is also an upgraded VVIP lounge, expanded recreational area, a modernized gift shop, and a fountain area with synchronised audiovisuals, the first of its kind in West Africa.
Tourism hub
He said the commissioning of the GH¢30million modernised Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park is in line with plans by Government to make it one of the best tourism and heritage attractions in West Africa.
Acknowledging Nkrumah as the outstanding pan-Africanist of his generation, he said the burial site of Dr. Nkrumah must be appropriate to suit his status and exceptional contribution to the liberation of Africa from colonialism and imperialism.
The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, which attracted some ninety thousand visitors annually before the renovation, is now expected to attract over one million tourists annually.
To this end, the President charged the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and its agencies to devise effective marketing and promotional strategies to achieve the target of one million domestic and international tourists’ visitations to the Park.
As part of measures to make Ghana the hub of tourism in West Africa, the President indicated, Government is building museums and other tourist attractions in various parts of the country.
“The construction of a Museum 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 ongoing works at the Bonwire Museum and the Yaa Asantewaa Museum both in Ejisu, are in the offing. You will recall also that the National Museum had to be closed down for seven years from 2015 to 2022 due to lack of maintenance. It was in my time, in 2022, that the renovation of the museum was completed,” he added.
Value chain
President Akufo-Addo said the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Ghana Tourism Authority had embarked on product improvement and customer service orientation for operators in the hospitality and tourism value chain.
He added that some 6,000 frontline operators will be inculcated with the necessary customer care skills and competencies over the course of the next one year to enable them handle both domestic and international tourists.
President Akufo-Addo reiterated that Ghana has the potential to be the tourism and business hub of West Africa for several reasons.
“We are host of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat; we have political stability and proven democratic credentials; and we have a rich and diverse culture. The Kotoka International Airport in Accra is the best airport in West Africa, with easy connectivity to many countries, whilst Ghana is the home of modern pan-Africanism and global African diasporan activities. Above all, we are a warm and hospitable people,” he said.
Determination
He further reiterated Government’s determination to maintain Ghana’s ranking as the number one country in the region on the West African Digital Competitiveness Index so as to support service delivery, and enhance our regional competitiveness.
“The improvement in our road networks and the construction of several interchanges across the country are expected to ease travel, and open up tourist destinations. Also, the completion of airports in Kumasi, Tamale and Ho will boost further domestic and international tourism, thereby creating jobs for people,” the President added.
The President further highlighted the importance of honouring Nkrumah’s legacy and the need to preserve his ideals for future generations, while emphasizing the significance of unity, democracy, and economic progress in shaping Ghana’s future.
