EKMA, investor to redevelop CK Mann Park
The Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly (EKMA) has engaged a private investor to redevelop the CK Mann Park in the municipality into a multi-purpose social and commercial facility.
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The effort falls in line with the quest of the EKMA to ensure structured development and curb discipline in the municipality.
The investor, Messrs Shelleyco Petroleum, a Ghanaian downstream oil and gas company, is expected to construct a sports and commercial complex at an estimated cost of GH¢10 million.
The facility is expected to provide hundreds of jobs, during and after the 36 months’ project duration and a facelift for the municipality.
The facility comes with features such as an AstroTurf, a basketball court, three multi-purpose blocks, and a market with warehouse, restaurant with kitchen, an indoor bar and comprehensive drain as well as management system.
The complex is also expected to have offices, a hotel with all facilities, a two-storey event centre block, conference rooms and a one-storey gender-based sport changing room with washrooms and disability features.
The benefits
The current state of the CK Mann Park
The municipality, which currently does not have any such facility, has recorded indiscriminate blocking of major roads by some community members for social gatherings and in most cases without permission from the assembly.
The assembly said the developer had gone through the process in October last year and that it had received a development permit application from the State Housing Company for consideration.
Speaking during a community engagement to inform the host communities of the impending project, the Municipal Head of Works, Benjamin K. Aidoo, said the developer had submitted the application.
Permit
A portion of the park overgrown with weeds
“Let me say the assembly through its development permit processes, granted and issued permits for the developer and also urged the developer to engage members of the host communities who are the main beneficiaries of the project,” he said.
Mr Aidoo said considering the strategic location of the park, the assembly since its inception had received proposals from private developers to redevelop the park into a commercial facility for job creation and beautification of the municipality.
“I must say that all the proposals received were forwarded to the State Housing Company for consideration and Shelleyco Petroleum’s proposition as well as its plan for the space in the community were accepted,” he said.
Strategic location
The CK Mann Park, which is strategically located in the central part of the municipality, is currently in an undeveloped state, with the land mostly used for sporting activities, funerals as well as religious gatherings.
With increasing structural developments in the area, the assembly had to dismiss the assertion that the park named after Ghana's music legend CK Mann, had been sold.
The assembly is aware of the importance of the park to the community as it serves as an event centre, football field and other important purposes and sustainability and for the interest of the community, an investor has been identified to develop the park for the benefit of all, Mr Aidoo said.
Speaking in an interview, the Chief Executive of Shelleyco Petroleum, George Arthur, said the plan for the area was carefully chosen after consideration of the people and the value it would bring to them.
The park, he said, would still have the sporting facilities, but this time they will be well structured with sustainable and environmentally friendly features for the benefit of all stakeholders.
“Most importantly, it will create the ambiance for the unearthing of sports talents in the municipality, the adjoining metropolis and districts,” he added.
Smart city
“As the municipality grows, it is important that development follows the features of a smart city using its design and digital connectivity to help the municipality to improve the urban environment and quality of life through better social and environmental management,” he said.
At the engagement, the community members were given the opportunity to ask questions or make contributions, whereupon some said that if developed, the area would provide them with jobs and serve as a recreational centre for their children.
“The area I must say is close to Effia which is equally populated, but we do not have a modern facility like a mall or supermarket, so we have to travel far and we are also told there would be hospitality facilities and that would provide jobs for the young people,” a member of the community, James Mensah, said.
“We have people in the municipality that work in all sectors in the adjoining assemblies – but where are the financial institutions? With the development of the park into a multi-purpose facility, we expect that banks will find a space for business and help; even if you want to use an ATM, one has to travel. The complex is good news for us,” he said.
