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Kumasi Children’s Park to get a
facelift
Kumasi, June 13, Ghanadot/GNA- The
neglected Kumasi Children’s Park at Amakom, would soon
bounce back to life.
This follows an interest shown by a group of Companies in
the Metropolis to rehabilitate, the once most famous
children’s playing ground in the Garden City.
The Consortium would need a total of GH˘9 million to bring
the facility back to life, to serve as a modern
entertainment field for both children and adults in the
Metropolis.
The Park, which was popularly known as “Playground” had a
multi-functioned facility, including library, pavilion,
playing field among others, has now become a den of thieves
and drug peddlers following its abandonment in 1999.
Aside that, the pavilion has now become a church and at the
same time a meeting place for a fun club of a local radio
station, whilst the toilet facility has now become a public
one, serving residents of Amakom and its surrounding
communities.
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly has for some time been
looking for investors to rehabilitate and bring the only
reserved place for children in the city to a state, which
would not only serve as a playing field but also as a
learning centre for children and the youth.
Mr Edward Botchway, an Architect of the Consortium told
Newsmen during a familiarization visit to the Park that, his
company would initially need an amount of GH˘3 million to
rehabilitee and renovate the existing facilities at the
Park.
Among the dignitaries to the park were Madam Patricia
Appiagyei, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive Officer and
Lady Julia, wife of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei-Tutu II.
He said, in the long term, facilities such as an artificial
waterfall, a footbridge, an electronic library, conference
hall, parking place and others, would be constructed to
enable the Park to get to international standards and make
it an icon for children and families.
This he said would also generate revenue and create
employment for the people in the city.
He stressed the need for local entrepreneurs to invest in
such projects in order to attract foreigners to support
them.
Mr Botchway appealed to the KMA to speed up the processes
and give the consortium the mandate to manage the Park.
Madam Patricia Appiagyei was enthused that the Park would
soon be restored to its original status.
She said the assembly was concerned about the current state
of the Park, which was now serving as a hide out for
hardened criminals and drug addicts as well as a place for
suicide and murder.
Madam Appiagyei said, the KMA was working hard to complete
the processes immediately to ensure that the rehabilitation
work begins, adding that, the assembly would take keen
interest in its management.
Lady Julia emphasised that, it was necessary to turn the
place to its former glory, to enable children in the
Metropolis to have access to recreation and merry making and
also help in their physical and mental development.
GNA
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