GTA denies replacing inscriptions at Nkrumah Memorial Park

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has denied claims that it has replaced cultural inscriptions at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra.

A post on Instagram alleged that the Authority had substituted the greetings “Woezor” (in Ewe) and “Akwaaba” (in Akan) with “Obaake” on signage at the refurbished facility.

But in a rejoinder issued on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, the GTA described the reports as false and misleading.

“We wish to categorically state that at no point has the Ghana Tourism Authority ordered or approved the replacement of the culturally significant greetings ‘Woezor’ and ‘Akwaaba’ with ‘Obaake,’” the statement signed by Chief Executive Officer, Maame Efua Houadjeto, read.

The Authority stressed that the inscriptions “Woezor” and “Akwaaba” remain preserved and respected as part of Ghana’s cultural heritage. It further explained that any changes to signage at the Park would require approval from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and consultation with relevant agencies.

“The GTA wishes to put in the public domain that we do not know anything about it and we did not order or approve the change of the inscriptions on the signage,” the rejoinder added.

The GTA therefore urged the public and stakeholders to disregard the claims and continue to support the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park as a symbol of national unity and pride.

The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, which underwent refurbishment and reopened in July 2023, is one of Ghana’s most significant heritage sites. It houses the final resting place of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President, and serves as a monument to the nation’s independence struggle and Pan-African vision.

The Authority reiterated its commitment to protecting Ghana’s cultural symbols and assured the public that the Park remains an authentic reflection of the country’s history and identity.

The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park (KNMP) is located in downtown Accra, the capital of Ghana. It is dedicated to the prominent Ghanaian leader Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. The memorial complex was dedicated in 1992, and is situated on the site of the former British colonial polo grounds, where the independence of Ghana was declared, in Accra. The KNMP’s mausoleum, designed by Don Arthur, houses the bodies of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and his wife Fathia Nkrumah.

The building is meant to represent an upside-down sword, which in Akan culture is a symbol of peace. The mausoleum is clad from top to bottom with Italian marble, with a black star at its apex to symbolize unity. The mausoleum is clad from top to bottom with Italian marble, with a black star at its apex to symbolize unity.