Jackson Park — The heartbeat of social gatherings in Koforidua
It was just a football field some decades ago but, today, Jackson Park is the heartbeat of all social gatherings in the Eastern Regional capital, Koforidua.
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The venue is obvious if it is a funeral, a crusade, or a concert, and unlike Accra, the nation's capital, Koforidua residents do not block roads when there are social gatherings.
The approximately six-acre park, located near the busy Koforidua market and many lorry stations, can host eight funerals at the same time.The history of the Jackson Park dates back to the colonial era and it is about 100 years old.
Last Friday, eight families gathered at the park to perform final funeral rites for their loved ones.But for the park, the already narrow roads and lanes in Koforidua would have been blocked regularly, as often happens in parts of the Accra Metropolis such as Chorkor, Mamprobi, Akoto Lante at Ga Mashie, Sukura and Agege.
Of deep concern to motorists is the lack of advance notice about the blocking of these roads, which eventually creates enormous inconveniences to drivers who are compelled not only to make u-turns, but also look for alternatives to their destinations.
History
Very little is known about how the park developed but the Queenmother of New Juaben, Nana Yaa Daani II, said it was named after a white man who bought cocoa beans during the colonial era.
But, the park, according to her, was first called Oforidua and named after a man who planted a nim tree that grew there and provided shade for many travellers, particularly the Akyems and Gas, who traded in salt, fish and plantain.
"It later became the Jackson Park because a white man, Jackson, used to play football, basketball and other sports with the youth on that park", Nana Yaa Daani II stated.
The Jackson Park
The Protocol Officer at the New Juaben Municipal Assembly, Mr Emmanuel Attah, told The Mirror that bereaved families, event organisers and churches that needed the park were required to formally write to the assembly for approval. For funerals, however, bereaved families also needed to inform the New Juaben Traditional Council.
Families are charged GHc50 a day for the use of one of the eight plots that the park has been divided into, while churches and event organisers pay GHc600 for the use of the entire park for a day.
Last year, for instance, 24 organisations applied to the assembly to hold their programmes there, Mr Attah stated.
"Funerals are held every weekend and sometimes between five and seven families hire the place at the same time", he added.
Facilities
The park has been tarred, though some portions have developed potholes. It also has a 20-seater water closet each for men and women, as well as a tennis and a basket ball pitch for the youth.