Kwaku Osei Koranteng Asiedu, (KOKA) a tourism expert, has advocated for the development of a habit of paying for tourism from childhood.
Asiedu who was a guest on TV3’s New Day explained the significance of charging fees while calling for the effective management of the refurbished Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Ghana.
The refurbished Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park was launched last week at an event that was graced by the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo and other dignitaries in Accra.
After the inauguration of the new 3.5 million dollar facility, the authorities have implemented a 100 per cent increase in rates for both local residents and visitors accessing the premises which has caused an uproar on social media.
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Paying for a Deeper Connection
Tourism plays a vital role in promoting cultural exchange, economic growth, and the preservation of historical sites.
There is therefore a need to shift our mindset from expecting free access to recognizing the value of these experiences as espoused by KOKA.
“I don’t believe in free, we all need to pay. We should inculcate the habit of paying for tourism fright from childhood. We need to have that perception that this is what goes into it,” he shared
Asiedu suggests enhancing the visitor experience at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park by offering replicas of Kwame Nkrumah’s clothing, books, and other memorabilia.
These items he disclosed would allow visitors to connect more intimately with the history and legacy of the iconic figure.
“Now look at Kwame Nkrumah’s clothing for instance, we should have replicas there with his signatures, books and things, we should have these things available, so I can feel part of it,” he said.
By purchasing and proudly displaying these items, visitors become ambassadors, attracting others to explore and support the park.
“This Year of Return people who come, they can buy, go show it off for other people to come,” he indicated.
Culinary Delights and Revenue Generation
Asiedu’s vision extends to the culinary realm, proposing a rotation of strictly local meals at the memorial park.
He also advised that Kwame Nkrumah’s favourite foods should be incorporated into the menu as it would provide a unique and authentic experience for visitors.
“In terms of meals, the place should have strictly local meals on rotation. And then Kwame Nkrumah’s favourite food in the rotation,” he added.
Business-minded Management
By strategically reinvesting the income generated, the park can continually improve its offerings, ensuring a sustainable and enjoyable visitor experience.
To ensure the long-term success and maintenance of the memorial park, Asiedu emphasized the need for someone with a business mindset to oversee its management.
“Someone with a business mind should manage it. If it goes back to the government, give it 3 days it’ll go back to the state it was,” he said
The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, like many other sites, requires ongoing maintenance and development to preserve its historical significance.
Asiedu astutely points out that without proper management, even well-intentioned initiatives can falter. Neglect can easily befall public spaces if they lack dedicated oversight and consistent investment.
“Even our offices, we don’t maintain how much more that place,” he points to a sad reality in Ghana.
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