Kwame Nkrumah National Park in Ghana reopens after a year of renovations

The historic Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra, Ghana reopened to the public on Tuesday, July 4. The park, which celebrates the legacy of the country’s first president, was closed for a year to undergo renovations. Originally established in 1992, the improvements made to Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park are part of a government-led effort to reinforce tourism and hospitality, as they are important factors to Ghana’s socioeconomic progress.

Additions to the park include a digitalized payment system, a cafeteria, a mini amphitheater, the Freedom Walk and a presidential library. With these enhancements, Ghana’s government expects to improve the overall experience of visitors, as they are integral to maintaining the park’s status as an important cultural and heritage attraction.

During the park’s reopening ceremony, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo spoke of Ghana’s dedication to ensuring that the park becomes a prominent tourist attraction in West Africa. Because of Kwame Nkrumah’s substantial contributions to the country, President Akufo-Addo hopes that the park will be a beacon of the former president’s efforts to liberate Africa from colonialism and imperialism.

With the renovation of Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, President Akufo-Addo hopes that the number of visitors to the park will double the current yearly total of 90,000 tourists. These plans are also part of a more extensive strategy by the Ghanaian government to utilize the country’s rich culture, history, and landmarks to bolster its tourism industry and encourage economic growth.

Travel Noire notes that the World Bank national director for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, Pierre Laporte commended the improvements made to the park and pledged to help with efforts to bolster the country’s tourism sector. Laporte also championed the efforts to preserve Kwame Nkrumah’s legacy.

Roshae Hemmings is an arts and culture magazine journalist from St. Louis, MO. A graduate from the Missouri School of Journalism, Roshae has bylines in the Columbia Missourian, Vox Magazine and 5280 Magazine discussing topics ranging from pop culture, social justice and eat and drink. She is a foodie at heart and enjoys eating food as much as learning about the story behind it. You can reach Roshae via email at roshaehemmings@detourxp.com.