PICS: Ghana Launches The ‘Freedom Skatepark’ To Honor The Late Fashion Icon Virgil Abloh, See Images Inside

Ghana has launched its first skateboard park in the capital of the nation Accra. An open to all grounds where the wheelers of society and engage and participate in skateboard and roller skating activities.

The park was opened on the 15th of December in honor of the late fashion icon Virgil Abloh who supported, contributed, and oversaw the project before he passed away last month in November.

On Virgil’s Death

Virgil Abloh whose death sparked questions as he died at age 41 shortly after selling his brand Off-White to Louis Vuitton, headed their menswear department as the creative director. It is alleged he died of a rare form of cancer he was secretly battling.

Kanye West who was a close ally and working in partnership with Virgil Abloh admitted in his earlier days he was envious and felt betrayed Virgil took his dream job as Louis Vuitton’s creative director back in the days. Although in recent times he states it was for the best. Since Virgil’s death, Kanye hasn’t shared his thoughts on the matter yet.

Virgil, the US-based Ghanaian, who grow up in Chicago where skating is a prominent culture there, revolutionalized fashion in the mainstream world with his Off-White label bringing urban fashion designs to the realms of the high-end community.

Sticking to his Ghanaian culture, Virgil influenced Louis Vuitton in their Autumn/Winter men’s show by introducing Ghanaian fabric Kente into their collection. An item symbolizing Ghanaian royalty that is slowly being withered by the government allowing the flood of Chinese prints.

Freedom Skate Park Is Very Well Alive

During the unveiling of the park, Virgil Abloh was honored with performances by local artists and skate tricked from some of the nation’s most popular skateboarders with tonnes of people wearing ‘Virgil Was Here’.

Credit: Nipah Dennis / AFP

According to The founder of Surf Ghana, Sandy Alibo who believes this can boost the tourism industry she stated “We’re not talking only about sports, but we’re talking building self-confidence in the youth, about tourism and developing youth entrepreneurship,” she told AFP. “They connect and share ideas. Skateboarders make the city alive because they entertain people and that is what Ghana needs.”

Sandy Alibo, founder of Surf Ghana and Freedom Skate Park, poses for at photograph at the opening of the Freedom Skate Park in Accra, Ghana, on December 15, 2021. – The Freedom Skate Park is the first skate park and a recreational center created by the youth in Ghana. (Photo by Nipah Dennis / AFP) (Photo by NIPAH DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Alibo is also excited about the prospectus of Ghana’s involvement in international skateboarding competitions. “Skateboarding has been accepted at the Olympic Games and that can help develop the sports in Africa.”

Abloh’s loss still remains questionable, however very well honored in Ghana. For now, see images of the Skatepark in his memory.

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