Build It

Build It

Artist’s concept, Palace Redevelopment Project NOTE THIS IS NOT THE FINAL DESIGN
COVID-19 postponed the project started in February 2020, and in the meantime, a new Yagbonwura was enskinned in March 2023. We are excited to resume the project and reach a building phase by Jan 2026.t meetings and build buildings

THE PLAN

  • Undertake archaeological assessment of ruins and preserve important sites; complete any needed excavations.
  • Construct a new Palace to include:
  1. the primary residence for the Gonja Paramount Chief,
  2. office spaces
  3. a large meeting hall for the Traditional Parliament where every African ethnic group living in Savannah Region will be represented.

Nearby we will build apartments for visiting Chiefs, dignitaries, and tourists to use, and a museum to house the historical, linguistic and cultural archives of our ancestral heritage.

Site Planning

Birds’ eye view of Palace grounds and ruins at Nyaηε

 

Illustration by: aZCON Architectures, Barcelona

Site Plan Ideas, New Palace and Ruins at Nyaηε

SIte Plan Illustration and Design Ideas by aZCON Architectures, Barcelona

We are grateful to a Barcelona architectural firm was an early advisor for the project in 2020:

  • Suggesting designs of the Palace and grounds for the purposes needed
  • Estimating costs

We will continue to work with the GTC and Yagbonwura to decide on design, and then

  • Identify a general contractor
  • Find master builders to oversee construction and train locals to build their palace
azcon

Palace Re-Development Project Design and Construction in Phases

The project will proceed in phases, with funds raised in advance.  We will not proceed with a phase until the funds are secured in advance, which means that as a design or building phase proceeds, the fundraising for the next phase is already underway.  Why?   We do not want to incur debt.

 

Project Startup:  Authorization from the Gonja Traditional Council to undertake the project; explore potential designs/  architectural approaches and plan fundraising.

  • The Traditional Council met with WIACT officials on February 29, 2020 and confirmed their authorization of WIACT to undertake the project.  Iddrisu has continued meeting with the newly enskinned Yagbonwura who is very enthusiastic about re-starting the project.
Phase I:     Plan the Project structures and grounds; conduct non-invasive archaeological assessment
  • Engage Architect
  • Complete building designs and blueprints
  • Complete archaeological assessment and decide on any excavations
  • Identify contractor and builders who will erect buildings
Phase II:   Build main palace building; plan and complete any needed archaeological excavations
  • Engage contractor to oversee building of Palace and temporary residences
  • Secure and work with master builder tradesmen to hire and train local people to do the building
  • Source building materials
  • Develop process for hiring local labor; hire labor
  • Execute any needed archaeological excavations within the site as authorized by the Gonja Traditional Council
  • Begin discussions/planning for seating the Traditional Parliament
Phase III:  Decorate/furnish Palace building & temporary residences; begin additional building & grounds projects
  • Work with interior designers to complete and furnish Palace and temporary residence interiors
  • Continue building additional buildings and parking lots on Palace grounds, using local labor.
  • Plan/Initiate move of Gonja Paramount Chief to new Palace
Phase IV:   Complete final tasks; open buildings and grounds
  • Furnish museum;
  • Finish all building projects;
  • Complete landscape design and gardens;
  • Hire staff for Palace;
  • Complete move of Paramount Chief to new residence in palace
  • Begin regular meetings of the Traditional Parliament at the Palace