Kumasi: The Kumasi Zoological Gardens has achieved a remarkable milestone by being ranked as the most visited tourist site in the Ashanti Region and the fourth most visited in Ghana for 2024.
According to Ghana News Agency, the zoo recorded 133,594 visitors last year, marking a significant achievement following 11 years of efforts by the zoo's management. The zoo, located in the heart of the Ashanti Region, covers 1.5 acres and houses approximately 210 animals across 54 species, including antelopes, baboons, camels, and lions.
The zoo serves both as a recreational and educational center, attracting students, researchers, and medical scientists. Earlier this year, a team from the West African Primate Conservation Action (WAPCA) and Wildlife Vets International conducted health checks on endangered primates at the zoo, with participation from students of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
80 percent of the zoo's visitors last year were basic-level students. Dr. Meyir Ziekah Yiryele, Manager of the Kumasi Zoological Gardens, expressed joy in an interview with Ghana News Agency, attributing the zoo's success to its strategic location and the synergy with other nearby tourist sites.
Despite the success, Dr. Ziekah highlighted challenges such as disability-unfriendly walkways, outdated animal enclosures, and a lack of amenities. He called for investment from individuals, institutions, and the government to transform the zoo into a world-class facility, suggesting collaborations with companies like Dzata Cement and the Bank of Ghana for enclosure renovations.
As the oldest zoo in Ghana, approaching its 70th anniversary, Dr. Ziekah emphasized that renovation would be a fitting gift for the zoo and its animals.
