Kumasi, April 10, GNA - The Abbey's Park at Ashanti New Town in Kumasi is to be developed into a modern park at the cost of 3.4 billion cedis.

The facilities would include covering the football field with green grass, shops, restaurant, drinking bar, offices, library and a computer centre.

The project will be financed through the contributions of individuals and organisations.

Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, Minister of Defence and Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia, said this at a forum held at Ashanti New Town in Kumasi on Saturday.

He said the park, established many years ago, needed to be developed to enhance its present use as community open space for activities including funerals, political rallies, crusades and sporting activities.

Dr Addo Kufuor also said the development of the park would help the youth in the area to be actively involved in sporting activities rather than engaging in drug abuse and other immoral practices.

To ensure the successful execution and implementation of the project, the MP later appointed an eight-member committee under the chairmanship of Oheneba Agyemang Badu, Atipimhene of Kumasi, to oversee the project.

Mr A.A. Ampong, Co-ordinating Director of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), commended the MP for his foresight, initiative and commitment to embark on the project.

He assured the readiness of the KMA to support the execution of the project to ensure its early completion.

Mr Osei Mensah, chairman of the Manhyia constituency of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), appealed to individuals, organisations and churches to help finance the project.