Construction has resumed on the Sekondi Amphitheatre, a project by the Centre for National Culture, after a 35-year delay.
Originally initiated in 1988, the project faced numerous challenges and was abandoned until recently. About three months ago, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts reactivated work on the project, now estimated at a cost of GHC 45 million.
Project Features
The revitalized Sekondi Amphitheatre will include:
- A 2,000-seater auditorium
- A craft village
- A two-storey administration block
- A hostel facility
- A fenced perimeter wall
- Additional modern amenities
Progress and Inspections
During an inspection of the project in Sekondi on Tuesday, the Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Andrew Agyapa Mercer, revealed that an integrity test was conducted by the Centre Tender Review Committee before the project was awarded on contract.
He further noted plans to construct additional amphitheatres across Ghana’s northern and middle belts to host various events. Mercer also highlighted the government’s ongoing effort to enhance the nation’s capacity to host global events, including the construction of a 20,000-seater conference hall at the Ghana Trade Fair Centre in Accra.
Despite facing criticism, Mercer reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing national development.
Remarks from Stakeholders
Deputy Tourism Minister, Mark Okraku Mantey, emphasized the creative arts industry’s potential and called on Ghanaians to support government initiatives aimed at national growth.
Akwasi Agyeman, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, lauded the Minister’s unwavering support for the tourism sector.
Reverend Stephen Ebo Kessie, acting Western Regional Director of the Centre for National Culture, expressed regret over encroachment on the original 23-acre site. However, he extended gratitude to the government for reviving the project, which holds great promise for the cultural and tourism landscape of the Western Region.