Lady Julia to spearhead redevelopment of Kumasi Children's Park

After years of neglect, the Kumasi Children’s Park is now going to be redeveloped under the initiative of Lady Julia Osei Tutu II, wife of the Asantehene.
Lady Julia announced her intention to assist with the redevelopment of the facility when she toured the facility on Thursday to have firsthand information on the state of affairs at the park, which has completely been abandoned in the last eight years.
She explained she was going to raise money with the help of the public to see to it that the main children’s park in the metropolis, which was now in a very bad shape and not in use, bounces back to life to help serve the interest of children.
As her contribution towards providing a more serene environment for children to interact, read, play and learn, Lady Julia said she would ensure that the park was redeveloped to a modern status.
She said the present state of the beautiful large tract of land at the park was indicative of the lack of maintenance culture in the country and called for the need to institute a well laid plan for the development and management of the place.
A team of architects has since been put together to fashion out a plan for the redevelopment of the facility.
A member of the team, Mr Edward Botchway said they would be looking at an estimated GH¢3million for the first phase of redevelopment. He however said about GH¢9million would be needed for the entire development of the facility.
He mentioned a modern electronic library, conference facility and internet cafe as some of the facilities they hope to add to the children’s park.
He expressed worry that a facility of that sort, which was sitting in the middle of the metropolis had been allowed to go waste unattended.
The Kumasi Children’s Park, which was developed in 1989 to serve as a recreational and learning centre for children in the Kumasi metropolis and beyond has since year 2000 been completely abandoned, putting the place in a deplorable state.
The facility had become a den for thieves and drug addicts and a place for church services and funeral celebrations.
The state of affairs has turned to discourage rather than attract children to patronise the facility for which it was established.
The place is totally dark in the night and has become a den of robbers and drug pushers.
Since the place has become a dangerous place to tread, residents in surrounding areas, such as Afful Nkwanta, Amakom, Oforikrom who normally use the park to access other areas no longer uses it after 7pm.
There have been numerous calls on individuals and organisations to collaborate efforts to maintain the Children's Park and library, hence the decision by the Asantehene’s wife to lead in the redevelopment of the park has been welcomed by Kumasi residents.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive, Ms Patricia Appiagyei, who accompanied Lady Julia on her inspection tour.