Developing tourism, developing Ghana

The steady growth in patronage at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park (KNMP) since its reopening in July 2023 is a heartening development, not only for the tourism sector but for the national economy as a whole.

With about 270,000 domestic and international visitors recorded by the third quarter of 2025 and a 25 per cent increase in foreign tourists over the same period in 2024, the park is increasingly demonstrating how well-managed heritage sites can contribute meaningfully to national development.

The figures shared by the acting Executive Director of the park, Dr Collins Nunyonameh, show that while domestic tourists still form the bulk of visitors, international tourists, who pay significantly higher entry fees, make an outsized contribution to revenue.

This underscores the economic value of positioning Ghana’s key attractions to appeal to both local and global audiences.

Beyond the numbers, the KNMP story highlights the importance of deliberate investment, continuous maintenance and innovation in tourism management.

Improvements in landscaping, lighting, security, payment systems, the restoration of the musical fountain, and the addition of a restaurant and souvenir shop have enhanced the overall visitor experience.

These are strategic interventions that translate cultural heritage into economic value.

The presence of high-profile international visitors, including heads of state and global dignitaries, has also boosted the park’s profile and reinforced the global relevance of the legacy of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

This form of cultural diplomacy strengthens Ghana’s international image and has the potential to stimulate interest in other tourist destinations across the country.

The broader lesson, however, lies in what the KNMP experience means for Ghana’s socio-economic development.

Tourism remains one of the most inclusive sectors of the economy, with the capacity to create jobs across multiple skill levels.

When tourist attractions are developed and properly managed, they generate direct employment for guides, security personnel, curators and hospitality staff, while indirectly supporting transport operators, artisans, farmers, traders and small businesses in surrounding communities.

Developing other attractions—such as the Cape Coast and Elmina castles, Mole and Kakum national parks, Wli Waterfalls and many lesser-known heritage and ecological sites—would therefore spread economic opportunity across the country.

In many rural and peri-urban areas, tourism can become a viable alternative source of income, reducing poverty and easing the pressure of rural-urban migration.

There are also significant infrastructure benefits.

Roads, water systems, sanitation, electricity and digital connectivity introduced to support tourism activities inevitably improve the quality of life for host communities.

Over time, vibrant tourist centres attract additional investments in education, health care and commerce, creating a multiplier effect  that goes well beyond the tourism sector itself.

The KNMP’s plans to establish a library and enhance digital services further illustrate how tourist sites can double as centres of learning and reflection.

Replicating such value-added facilities elsewhere would deepen visitor engagement, attract researchers and students, and position Ghana as a hub of heritage education and Pan-African scholarship.

Equally important is the emphasis on security and preservation.

Heritage sites are custodians of national memory, and their protection must be taken seriously.

A safe, well-maintained attraction inspires confidence among visitors and ensures that national monuments are preserved for future generations.

The Daily Graphic believes that Ghana’s tourism potential can only be fully realised through a coordinated national strategy that prioritises maintenance, professional management and reinvestment.

Affordable access for domestic tourists must be balanced with pricing models that maximise revenue from international visitors without compromising inclusivity.

The experience of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park shows that tourism, when treated as a serious economic sector rather than an afterthought, can become a powerful driver of growth.

By extending these lessons to other attractions nationwide, Ghana can diversify its economy, create jobs, empower communities and strengthen national identity.

In developing its tourist attractions, Ghana will not only be preserving its history and culture but also building a more resilient and inclusive socio-economic future for its people.