Ghanaian playwright and tour guide Nii Ayi Solomon has voiced strong opposition to the planned demolition of the Centre for National Culture (Arts Centre) in Accra, which is set to make way for the Marine Drive Project. Reports suggest that the accompanying art market will also be relocated to Kawudi, Accra, as part of the redevelopment. Speaking on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z with Kwame Dadzie, Solomon highlighted the historical and cultural importance of the facility and called upon Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to step in and prevent its destruction. He expressed dismay over the idea of removing an institution established by Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, emphasizing that every region has a cultural centre and questioning why Accra’s should be sacrificed. Solomon argued that demolishing the centre disregards its original purpose of promoting arts and culture, and he demanded clarity on what would replace it.
Furthermore, Solomon urged contractors of the Marine Drive Project to explore alternative ways to achieve their objectives without dismantling the Arts Centre. He warned that replacing it with an event venue within the new project would strip it of its unique identity. According to him, tearing down the structure would erase a vital piece of Ghana’s cultural landscape. This concern is not new, as in 2021, when the idea of demolition first surfaced, other creatives, including poet and playwright Oswald Okaitei, voiced similar objections. The 241-acre site, currently housing the Arts Centre, is central to the Marine Drive Tourism Investment Project spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture. The initiative aims to transform Accra’s coastline into a world-class tourism hub with modern infrastructure to support the creative industry. However, critics argue that progress should not come at the cost of erasing an integral part of the nation’s artistic heritage.
Despite the opposition, the Marine Drive Project is set for completion in 2027. In a recent development, President John Dramani Mahama announced that after a period of stagnation, work on the project would soon resume. While proponents see the redevelopment as a boost for tourism and economic growth, dissenters believe it jeopardizes cultural preservation. The debate over the Arts Centre’s fate underscores the tension between modernization and heritage conservation, with many urging a solution that respects both development and historical legacy. Advocates like Nii Ayi Solomon continue to push for an approach that allows progress without dismantling an institution deeply woven into Ghana’s cultural fabric.
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