Rehabilitation of Nkrumah Memorial Park to cost GH¢563

AN assessment of the cost of rehabilitation and maintenance needed at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park by the Public Works Department (PWD) indicates that about GH¢563,000 will be needed to restore the facility.
The cost, according to the Chief Director of the Ministry of Chieftancy & Culture, Mrs Emma Lilian Bruce-Lyle who directed the PWD to undertake the assessment, may shoot up before work begins on the facility as a result of the appreciating cost of materials needed for the restoration.
She disclosed that since the present government made no allocation of funds under the ‘Investment Vote’ for the Nkrumah Memorial Park in its budget for the ministry, the cost would be referred to the Office of the President for consideration.
The Minister for Chieftancy and Culture, Mr Alex Asum-Ahensah, had directed the PWD to ascertain the cost of maintenance and repair works at the memorial park following reports that major works needed to be done on the facility which houses the body and personal property of the country’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
Some of the items that stand the risk of being destroyed in the event of a downpour are the desk used by the former President at the Flag Staff House, a dressing mirror he used at Lincoln University, collections of his photographs with other prominent world leaders, copies of his books, a stool and walking sticks.
Mrs Bruce-Lyle said areas identified by the PWD for repair and maintenance include the re-wiring of the museum which had not undergone any maintenance works since its establishment.
Additionally, she indicated that the report by the PWD had recommended the replacement of the fountain at the park with a stainless steel system to avoid rust and the provision of a bore-hole to feed the fountain.
She pointed out that the PWD had also recommended the provision of a glass house where two vehicles, a Rolls Royce and a Pontiac used by Dr Nkrumah during the independence celebration in 1957 would be housed.
Apart from these and those identified by the authorities of the park, she said the assessment team had recommended a general rehabilitation of the grounds and all edifices at the park to ensure their sustainability.
In addition, the team had recommended the erection of the busts of Sekou Toure, the first President of Guinea; Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Madibo Keita, the first President of Mali, in recognition of their commitment to the Pan-African ideology and the cordial relationship among the three countries.