The Ghanaian government is investing heavily in tourism, with the goal of making the country one of the top tourist destinations in Africa.
One of the key projects is the renovation of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, which was commissioned by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addoin in Accra on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.
The park, which is the final resting place of Ghana’s first president, has been completely modernized and now features a presidential library, a receptive facility, a mini-amphitheater, a restaurant, a freedom wall, and a digitalized payment and access system.
The mausoleum has also been fully refurbished, with the tombstone upgraded, and the museum expanded with an audiovisual tunnel.
There is also an upgraded VVIP lounge, an expanded recreational area, a modernized gift shop, and a fountain area with synchronized audiovisuals, the first of its kind in West Africa.
The government estimates that the renovated park will attract over one million tourists annually, compared to the previous figure of ninety thousand visitors.
This would generate billions of dollars in revenue for the country and create thousands of jobs. Speaking at the reopening ceremony of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park , the Tourism Minister Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal said that the government is also planning to modernize other tourist attractions in Ghana, such as the Osu Castle and the National Museum.
According to him, the government is committed to making Ghana the most preferred tourism destination on the continent.
“The big boys of Africa in terms of tourism; Morrocco, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Senegal all have their own tourist attractions. They have the wildlife; they have the beaches. Ghana has heritage and political tourism,” Awal said. “We are leveraging our unique attractions to position ourselves as the go-to country for tourists.”
Awal said that the government is confident that Ghana can achieve its goal of becoming a top tourism destination in Africa. “The country has a rich history and culture, beautiful natural scenery, and friendly people all of these factors make Ghana a great place to visit.” He emphasized
“If we continue as we’re going, over the next two years, tourism will generate between six to seven billion dollars per annum “We’re going to contribute 150,000 jobs every year.” He added
The government’s investment in tourism is a sign of its commitment to diversifying the economy and reducing reliance on traditional sources of revenue, such as cocoa and gold. Tourism is a growing industry in Africa, and Ghana is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth.
With its rich history, beautiful scenery, and friendly people, Ghana has the potential to become a major tourism destination in Africa
Watch his speech below
