Nkrumah Memorial Park beats Aburi Gardens as most visited tourist centre in 2023

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has announced that the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park has overtaken Aburi Gardens as the most frequented tourist destination in Ghana for the year 2023.

According to the GTA's 2023 Tourism Report, the top ten most visited sites welcomed 1,157,632 guests, a significant portion of the 1,407,709 total visitors to all attraction sites that year.

The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, which reopened in July 2023 after extensive renovations, attracted approximately 208,577 visitors, representing 15% of the total visits to the top ten sites.

Constructed in 1991 and inaugurated in 1992 during the tenure of the first President of the 4th Republic, Jerry John Rawlings, the Park had not undergone any major refurbishments until its closure for renovation in 2022.

At the reopening ceremony in July 2023, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo highlighted the comprehensive modernization of the Park, which now fittingly honours the legacy of Kwame Nkrumah, the revered leader who guided Ghana to independence in 1957 and became the nation's first President.

The Park's redevelopment features several significant enhancements, including a presidential library within a welcoming facility, providing visitors with access to a rich collection of historical materials and documents pertaining to Dr. Nkrumah's life and work.

In contrast, Aburi Gardens, the previous year's top-ranked tourist destination, dropped to sixth place with 93,719 visitors in 2023.

Meanwhile, the refurbished National Museum secured second place, drawing 166,884 visitors, accounting for 12% of the top ten's total visits.

The Manhyia Palace Museum also experienced a notable revival in 2023, making a comeback into the top ten after a hiatus since 2019.

The top ten sites consistently attracted between 78.80% and 93.72% of all visitors during the period, maintaining an average share of 82% from 2019 to 2023.

Notably, these destinations accounted for 82% of domestic tourism, with local residents comprising 68% of the visitors and international guests making up 14%.

The GTA attributes the surge in visitor numbers to the strategic renovations and improvements at various sites, which have significantly boosted interest in Ghana's tourism offerings and played a crucial role in the industry's growth.

See list of ten most visited toursist centres in Ghana according to GTA's 2024 report below:

Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park

National Museum

Kakum National Park

Kumasi Zoo

Cape Coast Castle

Aburi Botanical Gardens

Elmina Castle

Bunso Arboretum

Accra Zoo

Manhyia Palace


GA/SARA

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