Govt upgrades Nationalism Park to boost tourism

The Nationalism Park at Osu in Accra has been redeveloped by the government to boost  its tourism potential.

The grounds have thus been well illuminated and fenced with sections of the floor paved with designed blocks.

In addition, the bust of the late Osu Mantse, Nii Kwabena Boni III, who was said to be very instrumental in the struggle for the independence of the country has been erected in between two huge plaques inscribed with quotes from both the national anthem and the national pledge.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, with support from the current Osu Mantse, Alata Mantse, Nii Kwabena Boni V, unveiled a mini plaque mounted beside the monument to officially open the upgraded park.

History

Over the years,  Nationalism Park has been the spot for the remembrance of the 28th February Christianborg Crossroads shooting incident in 1948.

The ceremony is held every year in honour of three ex-servicemen who were shot while on a peaceful march to the Christianborg Castle at Osu on February 28, 1948.

The incident was said to be a landmark incident which provoked a major strike and the call for an end to colonial rule, thereby sparking the struggle for independence.

History has it that a number of ex-servicemen on February 28, 1948, marched to the Christianborg Castle to present a petition to the then Governor, Sir Gerald Creasy over their unpaid war allowances.

The group of soldiers was, however, intercepted at the castle intersection by a contingent of armed policemen led by a British Police Superintendent, Colin Imray, who ordered that they disperse.

When the ex-servicemen were adamant, Superintendent Imray then ordered the police to open fire on them, leading to the death of the three ex-servicemen.

The ex-soldiers had fought alongside the allied forces in the Gold Coast Regiment of the Royal West African Frontier Force during the Second World War and had returned home but they were not paid their gratuity.

After several appeals to the colonial government to consider their plight had failed, the ex-servicemen decided to march directly to the British colonial Governor of the Gold Coast at the castle to present their petition but were confronted by the police under the command of Superintendent Imray.

The three fallen heroes, namely :Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe and Private Odartey Lamptey, who were all members of the then Gold Coast Regiment of the Royal West African Frontier Force, were killed by the colonial police while marching peacefully to the Castle to present their petition.

Attendance

At the ceremony were some Ex–Servicemen, security personnel, heads of security services, traditional rulers, government officials and a section of the public.

The Chief Executive of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Akwasi Agyeman,  in an address, said with the facelift,  the 28th February memorial ground was now a place where people could gather “to honour our past and look forward to a future filled with promise and possibility.”

“This site is about national identity and pride. It is about our cultural heritage and also offers recreational opportunities for our youth. It is also a place for community and social cohesion,” he announced.

Mr Agyeman said it took 18 months to turn the site into a green space for the community.

He was grateful to the National Security, Minister of National Security, Albert Kan Dapaah, and the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly, among other stakeholders, for their support in turning the venue around.

Mr Agyeman further expressed gratitude to President Akufo-Addo for his impact on the tourism sector and mentioned the redeveloped Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and the National Gallery, and said “Today we are adding this to the heritage sites in the city.”

Mr Agyeman was also appreciative of the Osu Alata Mantse, Nii Kwabena Boni V, for his role in the redevelopment of the park.