Kumasi Children's Park to get a facelift

Kumasi, June 13, 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.