Tourism Minister says, we will renovate museums, castles, and forts next year

Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, has revealed the government’s aim to revitalize significant historical monuments, such as museums, castles, and forts, around the nation in 2024.

He announced this on July 4, 2023, during the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park’s grand reopening ceremony in Accra.

President Akufo-Addo and other dignitaries attended the event.

Dr. Awal stated that the government was committed to using Ghana’s rich political history and cultural diversity to make the country the top tourist destination in Africa.

He underlined that bringing forts and castles like the National Museum, Osu Castle, and other sites up to date would increase the appeal of tourism to the continent.

The minister predicted that Ghana may create an astounding annual revenue of $6 to $7 billion while highlighting the positive economic effects of tourism.

He claimed that the influence of the “Year of Return” campaign, which started in 2019, was responsible for the success and that an increase in tourists will have a substantial economic impact on the country.

In support of the government’s job development goal, Dr. Awal claimed with confidence that tourism could generate $6 to $7 billion annually and up to 150,000 employment annually with ongoing efforts.

For their invaluable contributions to the successful completion of the tourism development project, the minister expressed gratitude to President Akufo-Addo, Mr. Pierre Frank Laporte, the Country Director of the World Bank in Ghana, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, and Samia Nkrumah, the daughter of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park holds great historical significance in Ghana, serving as a monument dedicated to the memory of the country’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and his wife, Fathia Nkrumah.

Situated on the former British Colonial Polo Grounds along the coast of Accra, the park marks the location where Dr. Nkrumah famously declared Ghana’s independence.

The park was created in 1990 as a part of the country’s attempts to honor its founding father and preserve its heritage by the late former head of state, Jerry John Rawlings.

The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park has welcomed over 98,000 visitors annually from all over the world since it first opened to the public in 1992.