After the successful refurbishment of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, revealed the government’s ambitious plans to redevelop several historical and cultural sites to bolster the local economy.
The targeted sites for redevelopment include the Aburi Botanical Gardens, Yaa Asantewaa Mausoleum, Salaga, and Pikworo Slavery Camps. Additionally, the government intends to collaborate with the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB) to renovate selected forts, castles, and museums situated across the country.
The primary objective of these efforts is to promote domestic tourism, which, in turn, will contribute to the growth of the local economy.
Ofori-Atta emphasized, “Government is committed to continuing the redevelopment of Aburi Botanical Gardens, Salaga, and Pikworo Slavery Camps, as well as the Yaa Asantewaa Mausoleum, to enhance domestic tourism. Furthermore, in partnership with the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB), we will persist in renovating chosen forts, castles, and museums nationwide.”
The government aspires to attract a total of 3.5 million visitors, comprising both local and foreign tourists, by the year 2025. This ambitious target reflects the nation’s dedication to fostering tourism and leveraging its historical and cultural heritage to boost economic development.
“We have made considerable progress towards achieving 1.2 million visitors for 2023 with 150,000 jobs along the value chain, and 2 million foreign visitors and 1.5 million in domestic tourism by 2025,” the minister said on the floor of parliament,” he stated
On Tuesday, July 4, 2023, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo officially inaugurated the redeveloped park.
As for the entry fees, non-Ghanaian adults will be charged GH¢100, while Ghanaian adults will pay GH¢25 to access the premises.
For school children, the entry fee has been raised to GH¢5 from the previous charge of GH¢1.
For non-Ghanaian tertiary students visiting the facility, the fee will be GH¢60, while Ghanaian tertiary students will pay GH¢15 for entry.