Accra: Ghana's current seat of government, the Jubilee House, once served as the location of the country's first national zoo, according to Edward Quao, Director of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. Speaking on GhanaWeb TV's People and Places, Quao revealed that Ghana's first President, Kwame Nkrumah, kept a private collection of domestic and wild animals at the then Flagstaff House, which was later opened to the public, particularly children.
According to Ghana Web, the recreational facility, which formed the foundation of the nation's first zoo, housed animals such as lions, crocodiles, and peacocks. The first President of Ghana, the late Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, loved animals so much that he kept a collection at the Office of the President, formerly known as the Flagstaff House.
Edward Quao narrated how Nkrumah's passion for animals led to the establishment of Ghana's first national zoo. Initially a private collection, the zoo was eventually opened to the general public, especially children, offering them a unique opportunity to experience wildlife.
Quao emphasized Nkrumah's affinity for animals, stating, "Dr Nkrumah, besides everything, was also a lover of animals. Most Ghanaians don't know, but our first national zoo used to be at the Flagstaff House. It was his private collection... that was later made public, especially to kids."
The collection included a variety of animals, with Quao adding, "It was a zoo, so there was everything: the crocodiles, the lions, the peacocks, and all other animals were there."