The latest Tourism Report from the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has revealed that the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park was the most visited tourist attraction site in Ghana in 2023, attracting a total of 208,577 visitors following its renovations and reopening in July of the same year.
The Park, which was originally built in 1991 and opened to the public in 1992 during the tenure of the late President Jerry John Rawlings, had not seen any renovations since then, leading to a significant deterioration of the structure. In 2022, the park was temporarily closed for renovations to be carried out.
At a ceremony in July 2023, President Akufo-Addo emphasized that the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park had not only been renovated but also modernized to honor the legacy of Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana. The redevelopment introduced several notable additions, including a presidential library with a vast collection of historical materials and documents related to Dr. Nkrumah’s life.
Meanwhile, the Aburi Gardens, which held the top spot in 2022, dropped to sixth place in 2023 with 93,719 visitors. The National Museum, after undergoing renovations, secured second place with 166,884 visitors, accounting for 12% of the total visits to the top ten attractions.
The GTA highlighted the resurgence of the Manhyia Palace Museum, which re-entered the top ten list in 2023 after last appearing in 2019. The Authority attributed the increased visitor interest in various attractions to the renovations and enhancements made to these sites, which have played a significant role in the success of Ghana’s tourism industry.
Overall, the top ten tourist destinations in Ghana captured between 78.80% to 93.72% of total visitor arrivals between 2019 and 2023, with domestic residents accounting for 68% of the visitation and non-residents comprising 14%. The GTA believes that the continuous improvements and upgrades to historic landmarks and cultural sites have contributed to the growth of tourism in the country.
