Surf Ghana’s Freedom Skatepark, which was recently visited by US Vice President Kamala Harris during her time in Ghana, has been forced to close due to violent threats by illegal workers attempting to build a wall on the premises.
The closure came without notice or explanation, leaving the park’s owner, Sandy Alibo, to appeal for help via her Instagram story on Sunday morning.
The Surf Ghana community is known for promoting a culture of skateboarding and surfing in Ghana and the closure of the park has left its members devastated.
Alibo in her Instagram story expressed her disappointment at the situation and urged people to come together to help resolve the issue.
According to reports, the illegal workers claimed to have been hired by unknown individuals to build the wall on the premises.
The workers, who are said to have threatened the staff and vandalized the park, were eventually removed from the premises by the police. However, the damage had already been done, and the park had to be closed down temporarily.
“A man gave instructions to a team to build a wall in front of the children coming to skate in the middle of day. #senseofhumanity. The same didn’t want to provide us his identity neither official documents proving he is the landowner,” a statement on their social media read.
The closure of the park has sparked outrage among members of the Surf Ghana community, who are calling for immediate action to be taken to resolve the issue.
Ghanaian American Rapper, Vic Mensa took to Twitter to condemn the actions of the unknown assailants.
“🇬🇭 STOP THESE THIEVES TRYING TO STEAL FREEDOM SKATE PARK 🇬🇭,” he tweeted
The community is known for its commitment to promoting surfing and skateboarding culture in Ghana and the closure of the park is seen as a huge setback to their efforts.
A sustainabe park made of recycled material, the facility was equipped with an internet cafe, bathrooms, and a store that sold skate gear and trained novice skaters; an investment heavily sponsored by the international community.
The late Ghanaian American fashion designer, Virgil Ablorh, and his Off-White brand, shoe brand Vans, Daily Paper, and other local partners came together to make this dream a reality.
The Surf Ghana community, an NGO that supports outdoor sports in the West African country, has been instrumental in creating a platform for young people in Ghana to express themselves through surfing and skateboarding.
The closure of the park is a blow to the community and could lead to the loss of a valuable platform for young people in Ghana to express themselves.
