Beyond a beautiful building: How does the newly refurbished Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park compare?

Flanked by his ministers of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, as well as that of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, a visibly delighted President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who led in securing a $40 million loan facility from the World Bank through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture in 2018, manoeuvred with great pomp as he performed in ceremonies to officially open the newly renovated tourism facility.

The project which cost approximately $3.5 million, and breathing new life into the park, pays tribute to the country’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

Serving as the final resting place for the Osagyefo and his wife, Madam Fathia, the park aptly occupies the former British colonial Polo Grounds where Dr Nkrumah famously declared Ghana’s independence.

Originally opened to the public in 1992, it was constructed in 1990 by the late Head of State Jerry John Rawlings, and initially had a museum, a mausoleum for his and his dear wife's remains and a gift shop on that grounds.

It was one of the most patronised visitor attractions in the capital.

People from around the world who came to pay homage to Ghana’s first President, and learn about his life and legacy trouped there with an annual count nearing 100,000.

Needless to say, the park holds immense cultural and historical significance to the Ghana experience and so needs to be able to hold its own for years to come.

Tourism goes farther

However, tourism goes beyond beautiful edifices.

"It entails a well-organised site layout, a delightful and engaging visitor experience, which ultimately benefits the visitor, management of the facility and the immediate community."

That's according to the former Dean of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality,  University of Cape Coast and currently the Vice-Chancellor of the Cape Coast Technical University, Professor Kwaku Boakye.

Though early days, based on images seen on TV and on social media, one can say the architect did a wonderful job, and also all kudos to the tourism Minister and his team at the Ministry for seeing this through.

"Of course, government also comes in for a lot of credit for this feat with all its political, social and economic ramifications," Prof. Boakye commends.

Research shows, however, that our tourist attractions (or sites) are not engaging enough for the visitor.

"As a friend once sublimely put it ... “our attractions are not attractive enough," notes the good professor.

The professor believes that, before the first visitor is allowed into the facility,  the following details must be asked, and the Minister must insist on receiving concrete answers from whoever will be in charge of the facility.

(1) How will tourism be organised at the site?

(2) What visitor experience has been planned beyond the tour guide’s narration of events?

(3) Where is the service manual for the place?

 (4) What maintenance plan will be adopted?

As he notes that some of the stickers at the recently renovated National Museum are already peeling off!
 (5) And, most importantly, how does visitation to this site translate into gains (particularly economic) first for those living in the immediate environs and for the nation as a whole?

Directing these observations to the Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture, he reiterates his felicitations and hopes more of such impressive attractions will be seen across the regions.

What’s new?

In addition to a digitalised ticketing system that has been implemented for improved efficiency, the museum has undergone significant expansion, and now has an increased gallery space with state-of-the-art audiovisual capabilities for an immersive and educational experience.

And now, there's also a new library on the life and work of the Osagyefo.

This particular addition, brings much excitement to students of Pan Africanism, who have alway wanted such a dedicated space for the Osagyefo's literary legacy.

The mausoleum set in the middle of the grounds is designed from top to bottom with Italian marble, with a black star at its apex to symbolise African unity, something Dr Nkrumah stood for.

It was designed by Don Arthur and the structure, symbolic of peace in the Akan culture, is in a representation reminiscent of an upside-down sword.

It remains intact and will continue to serve as the shrine it is for those who have great reverence for the man who was voted the BBC's Man of the Millennium back at the turn of the century.

Reception key

As we welcome this new facility, it is a fervent hope that staff of the park will always remember that the human touch, in terms of the reception given to guests who come to the park, more than anything else, is what will make or break it.

They must consistently,  ensure that the first expression to give any visitor is "Welcome!" And not, "Are you a foreigner or local?"

As most personnel at attractions around the country tend to meet visitors with.

Then comes the issue of maintenance! We all saw how, in its first 25 years or so, despite its popularity, the park did not undergo any significant renovations .

The malfunctioning fountains, leaky roof in the museum, and deteriorating facilities impacted the overall visitor experience, and was frankly quite embarrassing to take visitors there.

Now, as part of efforts to enhance convenience and comfort, new features include upgraded toilet facilities and an expanded car park with increased capacity for smoother and organised parking arrangements.

To ensure visitor safety and mitigate issues during the rainy season, the surrounding infrastructure, including roads and drainage networks, have been improved.

And one of the highlights of the redevelopment is the transformation of the existing fountain into an audiovisual spectacle.

Go visit the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.