Prince Edward visits Rattray Park in Kumasi, Ghana
Prince Edward , the Earl of Wessex has paid a historic visit to the Rattray Park in Kumasi, as part of his three day official visit to Ghana.
The Rattray Park, named after a British soldier; Captain Robert Sutherland Rattray is a nultra-modern recreational facility and a tourist attraction site in the Kumasi city.
Assisted by the Ashanti Regional Minister Hon. Alexander John Ackon, Mayor of Kumasi, Hon, Kojo Bonsu and a renowned Ghanaian Palalympian, AlemMumuni, Prince Edward performed a symbolic tree-planting ceremony at the Rattray Park which drew cheers from the enthusiastic distinguished guests and the Earl�¢??s delegation,including Ghanaian born British, Lord Paul Boateng, International Trustee and Heads of state Award(HoSA) National Patron as well as school children from the Little Angels Academy in Kumasi.
The exercise which was meant to support the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) tree planting programme formed part of efforts to restore the city to its former status as the " City of West Africa".
Prince Edward and his entourage had earlier on in the day paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene, Otumfou Osei Tutu II at his Manhyia Palace in Kumasi where a durbar of chiefs was organized in his honour.
Hon.Alexander Ackon on his part briefed the visiting Prince on the political as well as the traditional administrative structure that exist in the region.
Kumasi Mayor,Hon Kojo Bonsu on his part, recounted the long historic relationship between the Asante kingdom and the British Monarch.
He told the visiting Prince that the city authority was committed to restoring the enviable status the Queen gave the city of Kumasi as the Garden City of West Africa.
Queen Elizabeth II,Queen of England and the mother of Prince Edward having been impressed by the serene and green environment of Kumasi is on record to have referred to Kumasi as the Garden City of West Africa during her visit to the city decades ago.